(Image Source: Wilderness Trail)

What you need to know:

• Campari Group is acquiring a 70% stake in Kentucky's Wilderness Trail distillery for US$420 million, with the option to acquire the remaining 30% stake in 2031.
• Wilderness Trail was founded in 2012 by fermentation experts Shane Baker and Pat Heist, who wanted to focus on unique mashbills, yeast strains and fermentation techniques.
• The distillery released their first bottlings in 2018 and now focuses on three core expressions - a Rye whiskey, and a 6-Year Old and 8-Year Old Bourbon.
• Campari Group expects the acquisition to increase its Bourbon storage capacity and ageing inventory, as well as enrich its premium Bourbon portfolio.

Campari Group has announced that it will be acquiring a 70% stake in Kentucky whiskymaker Wilderness Trail for US$420 million, with an option to acquire the remaining 30% stake in the whiskymaker in 2031.

Wilderness Trail was founded in 2012 by fermentation experts Shane Baker and Pat Heist, who came with over 20 years of experience in spirits-making and had wanted to utilise a more scientific methodology in distilling great whisky.

Wilderness Trail's fermentation expert founders Shane Baker and Pat Heist. (Image Source: Wilderness Trail)

The mechanical engineer and biochemist duo began their partnership with a consulting company Ferm Solutions, which had sought to deliver enhancements to distilleries around the world, with a particularly keen focus on developing unique mashbills, optimising grain quality, discovering the use of special yeast strains and fermentation techniques. Eventually, the pair decided to take their expertise to kickstarting their own distillery, Wilderness Trail.

(Image Source: Wilderness Trail)

Launching their first whiskies in just 2018, the distillery now focuses on three core expressions - a Rye whiskey, and a six and eight year-old Bourbon. 

Campari states that the acquisition will enable the group to expand its production capacity and ageing inventory that will support growth of the group's Bourbons (such as Whisky Barons Collection, Wild Turkey, and Russell's Reserve). Campari's CEO also aims for the acquisition to further enrich its premium Bourbon portfolio.

“Premium Bourbon and rye whiskies and state-of-the art production facilities coupled with worldwide distribution, first-class marketing and expertise across multiple spirit categories provide the perfect foundation for the continued success of the Wilderness Trail brand and ensure it will be enjoyed around the world for years to come.”

- Wilderness Trail co-founders Shane Baker and Pat Heist

(Image Source: Wilderness Trail)

The distillery uses a proprietary infusion mashing process and sweet mash technique that allows for a highly flexible output from the use of multiple mash bills and yeast strains.

Just 3 years into the launch of its first expressions, Wilderness Trail achieved a full year net sales of US$40.8 million in 2021, with the Bourbon and Rye brands generating US$7.2 million in sales. The distillery expects sales to increase by 39% for the 2022 full year, to US$57 million.

The acquisition by Campari is expected to close by year end.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot