It comes as Sazerac completed the acquisition of the vodka and ready-to-drink brand as part of its plans to expand in the UK market.
The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Au Vodka was founded in Swansea, Wales, in 2015 by Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn, with broadcaster and DJ Charlie Sloth joining as an investor.
The brand, known for its distinctive gold bottle. employs more than 80 people, and its products are sold across the UK and a growing number of international markets.
Morgan, co-founder of Au Vodka, said: “We started Au Vodka in Swansea with nothing but an idea and a belief that vodka didn’t have to be boring. We are proud to have built it into one of the most disruptive brands of this generation.
“Having Sazerac take the helm feels like the right and natural next step for us. They’re family-owned and they’ve shown that they know how to grow a brand without losing what makes it special. With Sazerac, Au can be offered to more people, in more markets, faster than we ever could alone. This is just the start of Au’s next chapter.”
Sazerac’s growth has been driven by a long-term approach to building brands, strategic acquisitions and sustained investment.
Sazerac has revealed they the United Kingdom is an important market and the acquisition will allow the company to deepen its portfolio there as part of its “continued strategy of investing in brands and expanding its global presence.”
Jake Wenz, Sazerac President and CEO, said: “Au Vodka is a brand we’ve long admired, and it’s had a phenomenal growth trajectory since 2015. What Charlie, Jackson and Charlie have achieved in just over a decade is spectacular and rare, and we have big plans for Au as we welcome the brand into the Sazerac family. This deal enables Sazerac to further expand our portfolio in the UK while also offering a path for continued global growth for Au.”
Au joins Sazerac’s global spirits portfolio including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, BuzzBallz, Paul John Single Malt, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, SVEDKA Vodka, Myers’s Rum, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.
This is the latest acquisition from the American drinks company which had an “unsolicited approach” to Brown- Forman rejected.
