Wednesday, March 12, 2014
John Hall's Big Payday
For the last dozen years or so, John Hall has been trudging to every liquor store and whiskey show that would have him, always in his trademark denim shirt, to promote his Forty Creek Canadian Whisky. Hall is a genuinely nice guy and passionate about his whisky. Thanks to all his hard work, Forty Creek is now the fastest growing Canadian whisky in Canada.
Today he got his just reward.
Gruppo Campari has signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of Forty Creek Distillery Ltd. ('FCD'). Total purchase price is CAD$ 185.6 million. This is Campari's first Canadian whisky brand.
John Hall will remain Chairman of the company and Whisky Maker at Forty Creek Distillery.
"Today's deal represents a milestone for myself and the entire Forty Creek team," said Hall. "I believe this opportunity will further support Forty Creek's vision to produce unique, quality, handcrafted, Canadian-made spirits. Campari has the global ability to take Forty Creek to the next level. Introducing customers around the world to my whisky is a dream come true. I am very excited to continue to devote my time to whisky making at Forty Creek distillery, continuing my whisky journey and exploring my passion for additional Forty Creek whisky expressions."
Now he probably can afford a nicer shirt.
I am glad for John but it seems if we are losing family owned distilleries the world over. Bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteForty Creek is the best Canadian Whisky by far.
Denim shirt and pants is known as the Canadian tuxedo for a reason. Call me a snob, but I refuse to recognize Canadian whiskey. Anything that can be grain spirit with flavoring and color added does not deserve the good name of whiskey or whisky
ReplyDeleteMaybe it will help his distribution.
ReplyDeleteHad to go to a couple Binny's here in Chicago before I could get a bottle.
John Hall produces great whisky. If Canadian Whisky comes back it will be in large measure because of John Hall.
ReplyDeleteTo mike gaebelein:
ReplyDeleteGuess you don't recognize blended Scotch or Irish whiskeys, either, as they're made much the same way, with high proof aged grain whiskey as a base and lower proof whiskeys for flavor, with the addition of caramel color in many cases. The only difference is that the flavoring whiskeys are similar to straight bourbon or straight rye instead of single malt(s) or Irish pot still. It's still whiskey, even more so than American blended, which allows for actual neutral spirits.