Gallo to snap up Four Roses from Kirin for US$775m
Japan-based Kirin Holdings has announced that it will sell Kentucky Bourbon distillery Four Roses to Gallo for a price tag of up to around US$775 million.
Last year, the brewery was rumoured to be working with advisers from UBS to test the waters for selling the brand, which it acquired in the fallout of a joint takeover bid of the Seagram’s drinks empire by Diageo and Pernod Ricard in 2002.
Now, Kirin has confirmed that it will offload the Four Roses arm to US-based wine and spirits business Gallo. The deal, valued at up to US$775m, includes an earn-out fee of US$50m, which will be paid out if the brand hits a certain performance target.
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.
Fuelling further growth
Kirin, which also owns Japanese whisky Fuji and Australian gin Four Pillars, said it decided to sell the brand after a review of its balance sheet and portfolio from a “medium and long-term perspective”.
The Tokyo-headquartered group added that the divestment would enable it to “reallocate its resources toward businesses that could further grow by leveraging Kirin’s own organisational capabilities”.
Four Roses operates a distillery and visitor centre in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and a bottling and warehouse facility in Nelson County. Kirin said it has seen the brand achieve robust growth, mainly in the U.S, since its acquisition 24 years ago.
Expanding spirits portfolio
Kirin has not yet disclosed how it intends to use the proceeds from the Four Roses sale. Additionally, financial details about Four Roses were not divulged in the agreement with Gallo due to a confidentiality clause.
A Gallo spokesperson said: “As we move through the regulatory process and await a closing date, we’re incredibly excited about this acquisition and the opportunity to welcome Four Roses into our portfolio.
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The spokesperson added that no changes are planned to operations, production or distribution. “We will have no further comment until after closing.”
Founded in 1933 by siblings Ernest and Julio Gallo, Gallo is a family-owned company with a broad portfolio of beverages. These include hard seltzer High Noon, New Amsterdam Vodka, Camarena Tequila, Don Fulano Tequila, E&J Brandy and its most recent addition, Lucky One Lemonade.
Liquid history
Gallo made its first move into the American whisky category in July 2022 with a strategic investment in Horse Soldier Bourbon.
In 2024, Gallo invested in Derrumbes, its first mezcal, and Puerto Rican rum brand Ron del Barrilito. That same year, it also backed Mexican gin brand Condesa. The company acquired cocktail shot brand Liqs and RumChata liqueur in 2021.
In September, Gallo acquired Whiny Baby, the California-based business launched five years ago to make wine more approachable for Gen Z drinkers – marking the company’s first acquisition in wine for two years. More recently, Gallo has been either closing or selling off wine assets.
What’s next for whisky
The latest deal comes amid a tough time for American spirits producers, who are currently weathering a perfect storm of trade tensions, high inflation and reduced consumer spending.
“While total U.S spirits sales edged down 2.2% in 2025, the spirits industry remains resilient, driven by innovative products that continue to spark consumer interest,” Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, said Thursday during its annual industry report.
Domestic sales of American whiskey totalled $5.1 billion in 2025, dropping by nearly 1% from the prior year, the council said.
Despite this, Swonger said that demand for premium whisky brands remains strong, with there still being “a great deal of consumer interest and passion for America’s native spirit”.
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