Gruppo Campari acquires super-premium Bulldog Gin

The Italian-headquarted spirits giant has distributed Bulldog Gin since 2014, under an agreement with an attached call option to acquire ownership of the brand in 2020. A renegotiation of deal terms has resulted in Gruppo Campari accelerating the purchase of the brand.

Gruppo Campari will acquire most of the assets of Bulldog for $55m, plus assumed liabilities and working capital for $3.4m. Bulldog may also receive an earn-out, payable on achievement of certain targets through 2021.

Fastest growing gin brand​

Launched in the US in 2007 and subsequently in Europe, Bulldog Gin now is the #4 premium / super premium gin and also the fastest growing gin brand in the world, according to IWSR. It is available in 95 countries, counting Spain, Benelux, Germany, the UK, the US and global travel retail as its largest markets.

Bulldog Gin shipped 150,000 9L cases and achieved net sales of $12m+ in 2016, increases of 24% and 22% year-over-year, respectively.

The brand was founded in 2007 by former JP Morgan investment banker, Anshuman Vohra, who will stay on with the brand for a period of time as brand ambassador.

Produced at the world's oldest continuously functioning gin distillery in England, Bulldog London Dry Gin is described as a ‘modern-style premium gin’ that is distilled multiple times using copper pot stills. It uses twelve botanicals including lavender, white poppy, dragon eye and lotus.