Kentucky-based Heaven Hill has acquired premium spirits company Samson & Surrey, picking up a suite of six brands that are tracking $40 million in annual sales, according to a release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in 2016 by former Bacardi executives Robert Furniss-Roe and Juan Rovira, Florida-based Samson & Surrey’s portfolio of spirits labels – Tequila Ocho, Widow Jane American Whiskey, FEW Spirits, Brenne French Whisky, Bluecoat Gin and Mezcal Vago – have grown 60% annually, the company stated.
The acquisition is Heaven Hill’s first since adding Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey in 2019. The family-owned company’s portfolio features a range of premium brands across spirits categories, including Evan Williams Bourbon, Burnett’s Vodka, Deep Eddy Vodka, Admiral Nelson’s Rums, and Christian Brothers Brandies.
“Throughout our 86-year history, our focus has been building a business with a portfolio of great brands sold through a great team,” said Max L. Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Brands, in a press release. “The Samson & Surrey portfolio strategically enhances our portfolio with emerging brands in strong growth categories. Together with their team, Heaven Hill is poised to leverage the tremendous potential of these exciting brands.”
Furniss-Roe and Rovira will continue to lead Samson & Surrey as an independent division of Heaven Hill. Speaking to the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday, FEW founder Paul Hletko said he expects “business as usual.”
“Over the last five years we have enjoyed unprecedented success thanks to the talents of our team, the truly remarkable award-winning liquids we make, and the engaging consumer stories we tell,” said Furniss-Roe. “The combined talent, scale, and resources of Heaven Hill now present a unique opportunity to provide a long-term home for Samson & Surrey and to further accelerate our growth.
We believe strongly in the potential of our brands which are perfectly positioned to capitalize on the key spirits market trends. We could not be more delighted to join Heaven Hill and work together to continue building a strong portfolio in the premium and super-premium segments,” further commented Juan Rovira, co-founder and COO of Samson & Surrey.”
Perella Weinberg Partners LP and RBC Capital Markets, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisors to Heaven Hill and Samson & Surrey, respectively.