Brown-Forman acquires Fords Gin owner The 86 Company

US-based spirits and wines company Brown-Forman has signed an agreement to acquire Fords Gin owner The 86 Company.

The firm will add Fords Gin to its growing portfolio, upon closing the acquisition. Completion is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to take place within 30 days.

Brown-Forman president and CEO Lawson Whiting said: “Fords Gin is a unique brand with terrific momentum in one of the fastest growing categories in spirits. We look forward to building Fords Gin into another iconic brand in our portfolio.”

Under the deal, Brown-Forman will acquire the Fords Gin trademark, as well as other assets of The 86 Company.

The 86 Company co-founder Simon Ford said: “Brown-Forman is a great partner to bring Fords Gin to more bartenders and consumers in the US and around the world while keeping our commitment to producing a unique, high-quality, mixable gin.

“We’re extremely thankful to all our supporters who have been championing the brand since the beginning and look forward to seeing what the future holds with our new collaborators.”

Fords Gin is the result of a collaboration between Simon Ford and Thames Distillers’ master distiller Charles Maxwell.

It is a mix of nine botanicals, which will be steeped for 15 hours before distillation so that they deliver an aromatic, fresh and floral spirit with elegant notes of jasmine and grapefruit.

Going forward, Simon Ford and The 86 Company team will remain associated with the building and crafting of Fords Gin.