Edrington Sells Wyoming Whiskey to Local Investment Group

Eight years after investing in Wyoming Whiskey, Edrington has sold its 80% stake in the distillery to a Wyoming-based investment group led by co-founder David DeFazio. DeFazio founded the distillery in 2006 with partners Brad and Kate Mead, who continue to own a minority stake in the award-winning distillery located in Kirby, Wyoming. The purchase price was not disclosed.

In a statement, DeFazio said “Moving forward, Wyoming Whiskey will re-commit to its roots and return to the culture and constitution that made it the whiskey of the West and a staple of the Rocky Mountain whiskey category. We are proud to honor the contributions of our partners at Edrington and look forward to introducing the trade and consumers to a Wyoming Whiskey that represents the very best of what this brand has always been capable of.”

As part of that strategy, Wyoming Whiskey has reconnected with veteran master blender and consultant Nancy Fraley, who worked with the brand until three years ago. Fraley was responsible for creating some of Wyoming Whiskey’s highest-rated whiskies, including the OutRyder 10th Anniversary Edition. Fraley noted that she is excited to return to work with the brand after her hiatus, especially with the sale back to local investors.

“Distilleries that are owned and operated by local people who are passionate about the liquid they create are the ones with whom I always prefer to work, and this absolutely informed my decision to come back. I look forward to resuming my close partnership with David and the production team at Wyoming Whiskey to take the brand to new heights,” Fraley said. 

This story will be updated with additional information.