Choose your headline: “Molson Coors Acquires Blue Run Spirits,” “Blue Run Gets Big and Gets Bought,” or maybe “Coors Continues Pivot from Beer to Bourbon.”
Molson Coors Beverage Company today announced that it has acquired Blue Run Spirits in Georgetown, Kentucky. Blue Run will be under the umbrella of Coors Spirits Co, which also include Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon, and other future ventures.
“Molson Coors has been on a journey to broaden beyond our beer roots and build powerful brands in growing categories, and Blue Run joining us is an exciting next step as we establish Coors Spirits Co.,” Molson Coors’ Chief Commercial Officer Michelle St. Jacques said. “Blue Run has accomplished in three years what many brands hope to do in a generation and has done it at the luxury end of the whiskey category. Importantly, we are committed to maintaining Blue Run’s well-known quality, design and innovation as we continue to grow our spirits portfolio.”
Don’t worry about continuity though: Mike Montogomery, Blue Run’s founder and CEO will transition to Vice President of Coors Spirit Company, Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge remains as Blue Run’s master distiller, and Shaylyn Gammon will serve as whiskey curator for Coors.
Blue Run’s plans to build a spectacular new distillery in Georgetown will continue under the new ownership.