On August 5, 2025, Constellation Brands, a leading U.S. alcohol company, sold Copper & Kings American Brandy Company to Bourdon Spirits Company for an undisclosed sum. The transaction aligns with Constellation’s ongoing strategy to focus on high-end wine and spirits brands while positioning Bourdon to drive growth in the American brandy market.
Founded in 2014 by Joe and Lesley Heron, Copper & Kings has built a reputation for its bourbon barrel-aged brandy and brandy barrel-finished bourbon, using innovative techniques like sonic ageing and solera blending. Constellation acquired a minority stake in 2018, followed by full ownership in 2020. Facing challenges in its wine and spirits division, including a 21% sales decline in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Constellation has streamlined its portfolio with divestitures like Svedka Vodka in January 2024 and mainstream wine brands such as Woodbridge and Meiomi in June 2024. The sale of Copper & Kings is the latest in a series of moves reflecting this sharper focus on superior quality brands, targeting significant cost savings by fiscal 2028.
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Bourdon Spirits, a family-owned distillery, sees the acquisition as a strategic step to invest in the rising American brandy market. Production will continue at Copper & Kings’ Butchertown distillery, preserving its craft heritage and status as a Kentucky Bourbon Trail stop, while Bourdon plans to enhance the visitor experience and expand national distribution. “We plan to build on Copper & Kings’ legacy by honoring its roots and continuing to do things our own way,” said Rob Bourdon, founder of Bourdon Spirits, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to innovation.
The deal highlights the growing appeal of American brandy within the broader craft spirits movement. As consumer demand for distinctive, high-quality spirits rises, Bourdon’s acquisition not only strengthens Copper & Kings’ market presence but also underscores American brandy’s potential to emerge as one of the most dynamic segments in the U.S. spirits market.
