Tuesday, 4 July 2023: Leading beverage company, Lion has today moved to 100% ownership of Four Pillars, Australia’s number one craft spirit brand. The announcement comes a little over four years since Lion purchased 50% of the Yarra Valley-based gin business.
The acquisition includes ownership of the world class distillery in Healesville and all domestic and international sales and marketing of the brand. Four Pillars joins the Lion owned Vanguard Luxury Brands distribution business, providing a solid foundation for growth in premium spirits.
Four Pillars Co-Founders, Chief Distiller, Cameron Mackenzie and Brand and Strategy Director, Matt Jones will remain in the business in their current capacities while Co-Founder and Trade Director Stuart Gregor will remain in the short-term before taking an extended sabbatical.
Lion CEO Sam Fischer has welcomed the announcement.
“It’s not every day you get to buy the world’s best gin distillery but today Lion is absolutely thrilled to add Four Pillars to our portfolio. Twice winners of the International Gin Distillery of the year, on the shortlist again this year, and Australia’s benchmark craft spirit – it is a great day for our business.
“We look forward to supporting the continued growth of this remarkable brand, working with Cam and Matt to help drive our future plans. Alongside continued investment behind our core beer business, we see premium spirits as a real opportunity for future growth.”
Cameron Mackenzie said: “This is a great day for our brand, the business, our home in Healesville, our investors, families and staff. It does feel like it’s been a whirlwind 10 years, and this feels like the absolute right next step.
“Lion has played an integral part in us expanding our Healesville home, increasing our footprint across Australia and now increasingly New Zealand, as well as helping us plug into some great opportunities internationally and in Global Travel Retail through the wider Lion network.”
The combined Four Pillars and Vanguard business will operate as a stand-alone spirits division within Lion Australia, called Four Corners Global Spirits, to be headed up by former Beam Suntory executive Ed Stening, who will report into Lion Australia Managing Director, David Smith.
