Moët Hennessy buys first American whiskey

Moët Hennessy has acquired the Washington-based Woodinville Whiskey Company (WWC), expanding its footprint into the American whiskey category for the first time.

The Woodinville Whiskey Co. in Woodinville, Washington State

WWC was founded in 2010 by Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile and is today Washington State’s largest craft distillery, producing a range of American whiskeys including its flagship Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Woodinville Straight Rye Whiskey.

Both expressions are matured for at least five years at the company’s barrel warehouses in Quincy, Washington, with the distillery’s new state-of-the-art distillery and tasting room in Woodinville completed in 2014.

“We are very proud about what we have accomplished since founding Woodinville Whiskey Company just a few years ago.” said Sorensen, who together with Carlile will continue to oversee operations at the distillery.

“As we considered the many strategic opportunities before us, it was clear that being part of the Moët Hennessy portfolio and distribution network will allow us to reach our goals much more quickly. Brett and I are thrilled to continue leading the business and to be part of the accelerated growth we expect to achieve as part of Moët Hennessy, and its parent LVMH, the world’s leading luxury goods company.” 

Moët’s acquisition of Woodinville marks its first foray into the American whiskey category, with the house already owning Scotch whisky distilleries Ardbeg and Glenmorangie.

On its latest acquisition, Christophe Navarre, President and CEO of Moët Hennessy, said he was “convinced that Woodinville fits very well within the Moët Hennessy portfolio”.

“Orlin and Brett have done a great job to establish Woodinville Whiskey as an iconic brand in Washington state with significant potential for expanded distribution through our US and international networks,” he said. “While we are no strangers to whiskey, with our Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malts, we have much to learn from Orlin and Brett about American distilling and look forward to this important new partnership.”

Financial terms were not disclosed.