Louisville Copper & Kings distillery purchased by newly-formed spirits company

That's according to our partners at Louisville Business First, which reports the newly formed Bourdon Spirits Co. recently finalized a deal to purchase Copper & Kings in Louisville from Constellation Brands.

Terms of the deal were not released; however, the company's CEO and founder Rob Bourdon said negotiations were ongoing with Constellation, based in Rochester, New York, for nearly a year.

A Constellation representative confirmed the sale in an email to Louisville Business First and provided the following statement:

"Copper & Kings is a highly respected producer in the American brandy space, and we’re confident that it will be well positioned for the future with Bourdon Spirits Company. We wish Rob Bourdon and the Copper & Kings team continued success. This transaction supports Constellation Brands’ commitment to disciplined focus and execution in the specific consumer segments, channels and markets that can drive growth for our premium and fine wine and craft spirits portfolio."

Bourdon said in an interview with Louisville Business First he knew Copper & Kings was "the one" as soon as he saw it.

"I had a call planned [to initially talk about an acquisition]. I couldn't sleep. I spent the whole night watching YouTube videos on Copper & Kings, and from that day, I just knew it was going to be the company," said Bourdon, 35, who recently moved to Louisville with his family.

The Butchertown distillery at 1121 E. Washington Street primarily produces copper-pot distilled American brandy aged in bourbon barrels. In 2023, the company debuted its first bourbon.

The distillery, a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, employs approximately 20 people. An enhanced visitor experience could be in the works, according to a news release. Plans are also in the words to increase national distribution of the brand.

Copper & Kings was founded in 2014 by Joe and Lesley Heron, who then sold the brand to Constellation in 2020.

Constellation's biggest brands are in the beer space with the well-known names of Corona, Modelo and Pacifico.