04/10/2026
Sazerac, which owns the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, is allegedly in talks with Brown-Forman, the maker of Old Forester and Woodford Reserve, about a possible merger.
The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, cites sources familiar with the matter. Sazerac, based in Louisville like Brown-Forman, is best known for its iconic brands like Buffalo Trace and Fireball. The merger would unite two major players in the global spirits industry, with significant operations in Kentucky.
This development comes at a time when Brown-Forman is also in negotiations with French spirit maker Pernod Ricard. If a merger with Sazerac goes through, it could have a profound impact on the bourbon industry, with Bardstown standing as a key production site for one of the world’s largest spirit companies.
