On Wednesday, Moët Hennessy announced it had acquired a minority stake in Vermont-based rye whiskey producer WhistlePig. The partnership comes as WhistlePig seeks to extend its global reach, following a successful start in the U.K., its first international market. WhistlePig will retain its current North American distribution partners.
In a press release, president and CEO of Moët Hennessy Philippe Schaus said his team looks forward to bringing “the WhistlePig brand and product portfolio to many of our most valued customers around the world.”
As one of the leading producers of ultra-premium rye and an established name in America’s whiskey industry, the partnership with LVMH’s wine and spirits division seems like a natural fit.
For Moët Hennessy, WhistlePig marks the second foray into American whiskey, following the acquisition of Washington-based Woodinville Whiskey Co. in 2017. LVMH also holds Scotch producers Ardbeg and Glenmorangie among its wine and spirits division.
WhistlePig’s CEO Jeff Kozak echoed Schaus’ comments in the release, saying, “We could not be more pleased to align our brand with the leader in luxury wines and spirits and are excited about the future collaboration with Moët Hennessy’s team in the international market.”
