The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Kirin is looking to sell Four Roses for $1 billion. The Japanese brewing company has owned the historic bourbon brand since 2002.
According to the outlet, the brewing conglomerate aims to pivot from focusing on spirits to the healthcare industry. The outlet cites that the initial rounds of the bidding process are expected to take place in November. Kirin has yet to comment on the matter, The Spirits Business reported on Monday. The outlet shared that for the first half of 2025’s fiscal year, Four Roses faced a total revenue decline of 19.9%.
Four Roses is not the only spirits brand that Kirin owns, and as of now, it doesn’t appear that other brands are potentially up for sale. The brand owns Fuji, a Japanese whisky brand that launched in the United States at the end of 2021. The launch marked the first time the distillery, with a history that dated back to 1973, ever exported its juice to the United States.
About Four Roses
As far as Four Roses is concerned, the brand’s roots date back to 1888, steeping it in history and Americana. The brand’s calling card involves its ten distinctive recipes, which Four Roses blends to create its distinctive releases. The brand uses five different yeast strains, and features two different mashbills. One features a higher rye component than the other.
The brand blends these recipes the create releases like Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV and its Limited Edition Small Batch expressions. In August, Four Roses released its Limited Edition Small Batch for 2025. The release signified a return to form for the brand. . Instead of focusing on experimentation like the more recent batches, this release was all about stone and fruit, coupled with oak.
The beverage industry faces current significant headwinds, which range from a glut of demand to tariffs. Shifting attitudes about alcohol have also forced the industry into a reckoning, and many companies are taking the necessary steps to strategize for the future.
On Oct. 23, Molson Coors announced that it would lay off 400 people by the end of 2025.
“To win with our customers and consumers and return to growth, we must move with urgency and make bolder decisions,” said Molson Coors CEO Rahul Goyal in a statement. “We are moving quickly and intentionally on a long-term, achievable strategy that continues our journey to become a total beverage company that we believe is the path to sustainable growth.”
No responses yet