Molson Coors has agreed to acquire Blue Run Spirits, a producer of crafted bourbon and rye whiskies. Earlier this year, Blue Run announced plans to build a distillery in Kentucky. The project is scheduled to be completed by Molson Coors. No further details about the transaction have been disclosed.
In tandem with the acquisition, Molson Coors has established Coors Spirits Co., an expansion of its existing spirits business. The new company, which will be led by Blue Run Co-founder and CEO Mike Montgomery, will house Blue Run, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon, and future innovations. The acquisition of Blue Run will more than double the size of Molson Coors’ spirits team.
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“Molson Coors has been on a journey to broaden beyond our beer roots and build powerful brands in growing categories, and Blue Run joining us is an exciting next step as we establish Coors Spirits Co.,” Molson Coors’ Chief Commercial Officer Michelle St. Jacques says. “Blue Run has accomplished in three years what many brands hope to do in a generation and has done it at the luxury end of the whiskey category. Importantly, we are committed to maintaining Blue Run’s well-known quality, design, and innovation as we continue to grow our spirits portfolio.”
“Since launching Blue Run, we have always strived to do things a little differently to truly embrace today’s younger, more diverse generation of whiskey drinkers,” Blue Run Co-founder and CEO Mike Montgomery states. “We are humbled by how the whiskey community has embraced our vision and that Molson Coors wants to join and support us in this journey.”
