Sipsmith & Beam Suntory join forces to deliver global growth in the super-premium Gin category
Sipsmith & Beam Suntory join forces to deliver global growth in the super-premium Gin category
London and Chicago, December 16– Sipsmith Gin today announced that they have partnered with Beam Suntory to accelerate the global growth of Sipsmith and its authentic super-premium London Dry Gin.
Sipsmith will continue to be operated by its founders, Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall, and the operations will remain in London, where the business opened the city’s first gin distillery in nearly 200 years. Sipsmith’s award winning London Dry Gin will continue to be made in the traditional way, hand-crafted in small batches. Beam Suntory has a long track record of sustaining the heritage, culture and craftsmanship of businesses in which it invests.
The Companies aim to pursue ambitious export plans for Sipsmith by leveraging Beam Suntory’s strong global routes to market. Super-premium gin is the fastest growing segment of the attractive and growing global gin category.
“This is a momentous occasion for Sipsmith,” said Sam Galsworthy, Sipsmith Co-Founder. “As leaders of the gin renaissance in the UK, we have worked tirelessly to share our gin of the highest quality with discerning sippers. In this new chapter, we have found the perfect partners to take Sipsmith to all four corners of the globe, and do so whilst retaining our quality gin, astonishing team and Chiswick distillery in London. The team at Beam Suntory shares our values and pursuit of excellence. Fairfax and I will remain fully involved in the business, working harder than ever to achieve our vision of a gin that will stand the test of time and be sipped around the world.”
“With incredible skill and passion, Sam and Fairfax have built an extraordinary super-premium gin that is synonymous with London and the utmost craftsmanship,” said Matt Shattock, chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory. “We’re thrilled that Sam and Fairfax will continue to lead the business and make their gin true to their brand vision. We really admire what they’ve accomplished, and we’re very excited to team up with them to maximize the global potential of Sipsmith. Sipsmith’s pioneering spirit and Beam Suntory’s strong routes to market around the world are a winning combination.”
Sipsmith has generated strong growth since its founding in 2009, and more than two-thirds of its current sales are in the United Kingdom. Sipsmith employs traditional copper pot distillation to make its authentic, award-winning flagship London Dry Gin, as well as innovations such as V.J.O.P. (Very Junipery Over Proof Gin) and Sloe Gin.
The transaction, which is structured to give Beam Suntory a controlling interest in the business, is expected to be completed in January. Specific terms were not disclosed.
For further information, please email Hannah Kamelmacher at Story PR at hannah@storypr.co.uk