Regional Industry & News

Sazerac finalises Garrard County acquisition

US firm Sazerac has completed its purchase of the Garrard County Distilling Company facility in Lancaster, Kentucky.

The acquisition represents the latest step in the company’s ongoing growth and long-term investment throughout the state.

It is considered an important milestone for Sazerac’s production capabilities, providing additional capacity to support the continued growth of the company’s portfolio of spirit brands.

Garrard County Distilling Co, established in 2024 as the largest independently owned distillery in Kentucky, was placed into receivership in April 2025 after Truist Bank took the distillery to court over a debt totalling approximately US$26 million.

Sazerac’s interest in the facility was first reported in March this year, when its affiliate, Tom Collings Distilling, entered into an agreement to purchase all of Truist Bank’s loan.

On 26 June, the company won a US$20m bid for the property during a court-ordered auction held at a master commissioner sale in Garrard County.

The facility joins Sazerac’s other production sites in the state, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, and The Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro.

Garrard County judge executive Chris Elleman commented: “We’re pleased to welcome Sazerac to Garrard County and look forward to what this investment will mean for our community.

“Sazerac’s decision to invest here brings new jobs and economic opportunity to our county while positioning this distillery for continued growth. We’re proud to have Sazerac become part of the Garrard County community and look forward to working together for years to come.”

Garrard County encompasses approximately 210 acres and features two column stills, along with two barrel warehouses, each measuring 20,000 square feet.

Sazerac plans to use the facility’s existing infrastructure and capabilities to meet the company’s broader production needs.

Initially, the company expects to hire additional team members, with plans for growth over time as operations at the facility expand.

Kentucky house speaker pro tempore David Meade added: “Sazerac’s investment in Garrard County is another strong example of the continued confidence companies are placing in Kentucky and our signature Bourbon industry.

“This acquisition brings new opportunity to an impressive facility that already represents a significant investment in our region. Seeing Sazerac put this facility back to work is a positive development for Garrard County and another opportunity to strengthen one of our Commonwealth’s signature industries.”

Statewide investments

Sazerac is making substantial long-term investments in its Kentucky distilleries, enhancing production capabilities, modernising facilities, and supporting the future of Bourbon production in the state.

Over the past five years, the company has invested around US$50m in the Barton 1792 Distillery. This investment includes the construction of a new boiler house, the addition of extra fermenters, an expansion of bottling operations, and the establishment of three new ageing warehouses, which have increased barrel storage capacity by 25%.

In January 2025, Sazerac completed a 10-year, US$1.2 billion expansion of the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

This project included a new still house, boiler house, bottling operation, expanded visitor centre, 20 additional fermenters, and 19 new ageing warehouses.

At The Glenmore Distillery, Sazerac has invested approximately US$40m since 2020 to improve processing capabilities and upgrade barrel equipment, distillery controls, and bottling lines.

The company is also expanding barrel ageing capacity across Kentucky, including building new warehouses in Laurel and Taylor Counties.

Jake Wenz, president and CEO of Sazerac, said: “Kentucky has been an important part of Sazerac’s story for many years, and we’re proud to continue investing and growing here. Today, nearly 3,000 team members are part of Sazerac’s Kentucky operations, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue growing that team.

“Even with all the investments we have made to expand, we need more supply to keep up with demand, and the addition of the Lancaster facility gives us valuable distilling capabilities to support that growth.

“We’re excited to become part of the Garrard County community.”

Sazerac also operates the AJ Bond Distillery in the neighbouring state of Tennessee.

The purchase of Garrard County Co is part of Sazerac’s ongoing investment strategy, which includes acquiring Au Vodka, Western Son Vodka, and taking stakes in 818 Tequila and SipMargs.

Sazerac also entered the soju sector earlier this week with the launch of Dalho.