McCormick buys owner of Broker’s London Dry Gin

McCormick Distilling Co. in Weston, Mo., is expanding into the fast-growing premium gin market with the acquisition of Broker’s Gin Ltd. for an undisclosed price.

The British-based company makes Broker’s London Dry Gin, which is produced in a 200-year-old distillery near Birmingham, England. The gin was created by brothers Martin and Andy Dawson in the late 1990s, and the two will remain with the company as consultants for the next two years, McCormick said.

Broker’s Gin has been recognized in several international competitions, and it is currently available in 60 countries.

“This transaction represents another important step toward ensuring that our portfolio is optimally structured,” both nationally and internationally, Ed Pechar, chairman of McCormick, said in a statement.

McCormick is also preparing to return to the bourbon business. The privately owned company has not distilled bourbon at its Weston operation for 30 years, but it hopes to begin producing Holladay 1856 bourbon in December. It’s named for the founding of the distillery in 1856 by Ben Holladay.

Given the aging process, it could take up to three years before the bourbon is available for sale, the company said.

In addition, McCormick will begin offering public tours of the distillery next April for the first time in 20 years. The 159-year-old distillery is one of the oldest in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

McCormick products are sold nationwide and in about 66 countries.

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 10:57 AM with the headline "McCormick buys owner of Broker’s London Dry Gin."