Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Work-of-Art Distillery Rabbit Hole Acquired by Pernod Ricard

By
Rabbit Hole Distillery
Rabbit Hole Distillery

A Louisville whiskey brand less than a decade old has been acquired by a global spirits giant. 

Rabbit Hole Distillery announced this month Pernod Ricard has acquired a majority share of Rabbit Hole through its New Brand Ventures. Rabbit Hole boasts a beautiful, state-of-the-art distillery that opened in May 2018, and that shines a light on the spirits-making process in a more consumer-facing way than most distilleries.

Recommended Videos

The brand was founded in 2012 by Kaveh Zamanian, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst. He will maintain most of his shares in the company and remain at the helm of the operation.

Related

“Rabbit Hole has a great sense of place and a great founding team,”  said Jeff Agdern, Pernod Ricard USA senior vice president of New Brand Ventures. “They have a considerable amount of aging inventory that will come online over the next 18 months, and we are eager to help make it available to U.S. consumers as quickly and widely as possible.”

Rabbit Hole is in Paris to celebrate our partnership with Pernod Ricard.

Agdern said Pernod Ricard has plans to expand distribution from 18 markets to 50 by the end of 2020. Since opening last year, the distillery has produced 1.2 million proof gallons annually. Rabbit Hole’s current line of spirits includes Straight Bourbon and Rye, as well as Sherry Cask bourbon and a London Dry Gin finished in Kentucky rye barrels.

Pernod Ricard’s new division will be focused on partnering with “fast-growing, high-potential” brands like Rabbit Hole as the craft spirits industry continues to flourish in the U.S. and globally. Other brands in the division are Smooth Ambler West Virginian whiskey and Del Maguey mezcal.

“By leveraging Pernod Ricard USA’s extensive distribution network to reach new consumers, we are able to strengthen Rabbit Hole’s position as a brand and amplify its presence as a new voice in American whiskey,” Zamanian said. “Rabbit Hole is poised to reach new heights.”

The centerpiece of the deal, however, is the distillery. The Manual visited Rabbit Hole this month during the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, prior to the announcement of the Pernod Ricard acquisition. With a Vendome still and its fermenter farm surrounded by stairs, walkways, and stories-high windows offering incredible views of Louisville, the distillery itself is a work of art.

The distillery was designed to showcase the process, from grain-to-bottle to visitors in a way older distilleries can’t quite do. The distillery also has a bar on its top floor, which is open to reserve for private events and to the public, and offers a modern look and stunning panoramic view of the downtown skyline.

The rest of the French-based Pernod Ricard portfolio includes such brands as Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Jameson, Malibu, Kahlúa, Beefeater Gin, Seagram’s, and Avion Tequila.

Editors' Recommendations

Pat Evans
Pat Evans
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Pat Evans is a writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, focusing on food and beer, spirits, business, and sports. His full…
Clams vs mussels: The differences explained
These two delicious ingredients are more different than you think
Seafood pasta

For whatever reason, shellfish has a rather high-maintenance reputation. Perhaps it's simply the lack of familiarity in many American households. Clams and mussels are indeed a delicious indulgence when dining out, but they are not necessarily a staple of weeknight dinners at home—at least, not necessarily in non-coastal states. Salmon or shrimp may be the fish that grace our tables on seafood night, but seldom mussels or clams. This may be because shellfish can be tricky and unfamiliar.

The truth is that both clams and mussels are impressive, delicious ingredients that are truly easy to prepare in a variety of ways. Whether steamed, broiled, baked, sauteed, or grilled, these beautifully briney little mollusks make for meals that feel elegant and sophisticated but with very little effort and usually a relatively small price tag. But what's the difference between these two shellfish, and how are they best used in your dishes at home?
Clams vs mussels: Similarities and differences

Read more
Copperworks releases 3 new whiskeys, and they’re outstanding
The Seattle-based distillery is release three whiskeys
Two whiskey glasses

If you’ve never heard of Copperworks Distilling Company, now is the time to get on the proverbial bandwagon. Opened in 2013, this distillery is located in downtown Seattle. But, even with a tasting room and gift shop, it’s more than just a tourist destination. This award-winning outfit is well-known for its series of gins, vodka, and its small batch American single malt whiskey.

Its prowess in crafting American single malt whiskey is what we find most exciting. That’s why we were very interested to hear that the distillery was releasing not one, not two, but three new single malt whiskeys. They are Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Single Cask No. 22-2 as well as Release 049 and Release 050.
The whiskeys

Read more
Midleton releases its oldest whiskey to date — here’s how much it costs
This whiskey was distilled when Nixon was the President
Midleton Whiskey

If you’re not an avid Irish whiskey drinker, you might not know about the whiskey prowess of The Midleton Distillery. Located in County Cork, Ireland, this Pernod Ricard-owned distillery has been crafting award-winning whiskeys since it was opened back in 1975. While the brand is known for myriad, limited-release, exceptional whiskeys, there are few more well-known than Midleton Very Rare.

Recently, the distillery announced the fifth chapter in its Silent Distillery Collection. Referred to as Chapter Five, this single-pot still whiskey isn’t the type of expression you’ll grab at your local liquor store. That’s because it’s Midleton’s oldest whiskey to date at 49 years old.
The whiskey

Read more