The Artisanal Spirits Company, the creator of outstanding, one-of-a-kind whisky and experiences around the world, and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (“SMWS”), just announced that it has acquired the trade and assets of US-based business, Single Cask Nation, effective January 3, 2024.
The acquisition is in line with the company’s stated ambition to further grow our presence in the United States to take advantage of the sizable and growing American Whiskey market.
About Single Cask Nation
Founded in 2011 by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, Single Cask Nation is an independent bottling brand which sources, curates and bottles rare single-cask and limited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and through specialty on- and off-premise accounts in the US and other key international markets.
Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton will remain with the company and continue to lead the business from their offices in the US and will be supported by whisky industry veteran Steve Hawley, current President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and former VP Global Marketing for Westland Distillery in Seattle, who has also joined the ASC team to help grow and expand its business in the US. From whisky selection to brand development to sales and marketing, Single Cask Nation will continue to operate independently with tactical support from ASC’s team in Edinburgh.
In a way, by joining ASC we’re coming full-circle in our whisky journey. It was actually The Scotch Malt Whisky Society that first inspired us to start an independent bottling business in the first place. We’ve admired them (and their whiskies) for years, so to be a sister brand to them now is really exciting.
Jason Johnstone-Yellin, SCN co-founder
Today, Single Cask Nation has an audience of over 10,000 whisky drinkers globally, with the US being the largest market for the business.
Jason and I have certainly never been short on ideas. With the resources and wealth of experience to draw from at ASC, we’ll now be able to bring those ideas to life and more incredible whisky to the Nation. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s coming next.
Joshua Hatton, SCN co-founder
The Transaction is Complementary
We are thrilled to welcome Single Cask Nation to the Artisanal Spirits Company, alongside the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and J.G. Thomson. This acquisition aligns with our ambition to selectively expand the portfolio in the significant and growing US market, while staying true to our core values of captivating a global community of whisky adventurers with rare and exceptional bottlings.
Andrew Dane, CEO of The Artisanal Spirits Company
SMWS will continue to focus on delivering outstanding Scotch Malt whisky, while Single Cask Nation will develop a greater focus on American Whiskey. This will not only give consumers something which they seek, namely interesting, unique, curated, exquisitely crafted whisky, but also allows the company to incubate and trial new product propositions in a very low cost/low risk way with the scope to expand while accelerating its US operations.
Details on the Transaction
ASC acquired 100% of the assets and global operations of Single Cask Nation. The consideration is being structured by way of an up front committed payment, with the potential for a larger earn out of up to $500,000 payable dependent on future key performance criteria being met in 2024 and 2025. Consideration funded entirely from the Company’s existing debt facilities.
The addition of Single Cask Nation will further our mission to create a highly profitable and cash generative premium global business. This is also very much an investment in Jason and Joshua themselves who have cultivated a global following and stellar reputation as thought leaders in the world of whisky. Together with Steve they will bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to our business and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and their followers into the wider Group.
Andrew Dane, CEO of The Artisanal Spirits Company
Image credit: Single Cask Nation on X/Twitter.
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