Bacardi Ltd. is adding another boutique spirit to its brand portfolio. The Bermuda-based spirits giant announced Jan. 8 that it has purchased St. Germain. The premium elderflower liqueur is one of the fastest-growing spirits brands in the U.S. and a favorite cocktail ingredient at trendy bars.
Bacardi is buying the brand from the Cooper Spirits Co., which is based in New York and also has an office in Palm Beach. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founder Robert Cooper said he wasn’t actively looking to sell but began having conversations with Bacardi about the possibility. Cooper decided that selling to a larger international company would help foster St. Germain’s future growth
St. Germain is made from elderflower blossoms hand-picked during a few weeks every spring in France; only one batch is made a year. The unique and highly mixable spirit has become a bartender’s darling since its launch in the U.S. in 2007
Cooper, a third-generation distiller whose family created Chambord liqueur, will remain available as a consultant to Bacardi and the “brand protector” of St. Germain to ensure the spirit maintains its French hand-crafted, artisanal roots.
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