Beam Inc., the parent company of Cruzan Rum VIRIL, completed the acquisition of the Calico Jack Rum brand from Maine-based White Rock Distilleries, the company announced Monday.
Beam, a leading global premium spirits company, also purchased the fast-growing Pinnacle Vodka from White Rock. According to the company’s news release, issued from its corporate headquarters in Deerfield Park, Il., the acquisition will secure long-term production of Calico Jack Rum at the Cruzan Rum Distillery on St. Croix.
“We are delighted to make the Cruzan Distillery the home of Calico Jack,” said Gary Nelthropp, president of Cruzan Rum. “Calico Jack has been growing rapidly in the U.S. market, and it’s a great fit for our rum portfolio, sitting right between Ronrico and Cruzan.”
“The team at the Cruzan distillery is energized to produce another great rum brand,” he said, “and I’m confident our sales organization can grow the distribution for Calico Jack and help make it another St. Croix success story.”
Cruzan has actually produced the rum that becomes Calico Jack for some time, and the acquisition will not change that, according to Clarkson Hine, senior vice president of corporate communications for Beam.
When the company first announced the planned acquisition in April, Hine explained that Calico Jack was blended from bulk rum produced by Cruzan and purchased by White Rock. It will continue to be processed and bottled in the plant in Lewiston, Me.
Hines also noted that while Calico Jack’s sales are less than half of those of Cruzan Rum, the former has grown at a double-digit rate over the past several years.
Calico Jack sold more than 350,000 nine-liter cases in 2011, and industry trade publication Impact named the brand to its list of 2011 Hot Brands. Calico Jack’s product line includes silver, spiced and flavored rums.
Calico Jack is named for the legendary pirate Jack Rackham, a historical figure best known for sailing with Ann Bonny and Mary Read. He picked up the nickname “Calico Jack” because he was reputed to favor shirts made of that material.
Beam said that the acquisition of Pinnacle Vodka will significantly enhance the company’s presence in the large and growing vodka category. Pinnacle was the world’s fastest growing major premium spirits brand in 2011, according to Impact. The company will keep the bottling work in Lewiston for two brands it’s buying from White Rock Distilleries.
Beam is reported to be paying $605 million for the two brands.
White Rock is a family-owned business with more than a dozen alcohol brands.
