Savage & Cooke Distillery located on Mare Island, California has been acquired by Redwood Empire, the popular craft whiskey producer.
Derek Benham, the owner of Redwood Empire Whiskey, announced the acquisition on December 20th 2024.
“Our goal has always been to produce exceptional spirits, and with this new distillery, we’re positioning ourselves to do just that on a larger scale” ~ Derek Benham, owner of Redwood Empire Whiskey
The expansion coincides with Redwood Empire's astounding growth, which is expected to reach 55,000 9L cases in 2024—a 30% increase. The brand was established in 2014 and creates a number of highly sought-after varieties, such as Bottled in Bond Grizzly Beast Bourbon, Pipe Dream Bourbon, and Emerald Giant Rye.
The purchase covers Savage & Cooke as well as the distillery and event venue it owns on Mare Island in California. This agreement builds on an existing partnership between the two distilleries, where Savage & Cooke has been handling Redwood Empire's "supplementary whiskey production" for the past few years, according to the release.
“This acquisition solidifies Redwood Empire’s position as a serious American Whiskey player. Demand for our offerings has far exceeded our production capacity for several years. This move solves that challenge, but it’s not just about expansion—it’s about preserving our tradition of excellence while pushing the boundaries of what we can create.” ~ Aaron Webb, the CEO of Redwood Empire’s parent company Purple Brands
In the near future, the distillery will provide visitors with full experiences that include food options, tours, tastings, and special access to a small number of barrels. Current tours, tastings, and private event reservations will continue during the transition phase, which is anticipated to be completed by January 2025.
