Stolen Spirits Secures AU$19 Million from US Investor

Stolen Spirits, producer of Stolen Rum, has agreed to give US company Liquid Asset Brands LLC (LAB) a majority stake in the business for US$14/AU$19 million.

The significant investment from LAB will provide Stolen Spirits with the growth capital it needs to expand its portfolio further, with plans to produce a smoked whiskey and several other rums next year. Based in Chicago, the partnership with LAB will also leverage Stolen Spirits’ portfolio into the US market, while LAB’s alcohol industry expertise will help to strengthen the New Zealand founded company in its home market and Australia.

Jamie Duff, STOLEN founder and Chief Creative Officer said: “It was always my dream to take the STOLEN brand to the USA, the most dynamic spirits market in the world.

“We’re very fortunate to work with LAB as our global partner, which will enable us to do everything we want to do with this brand. Not only expanding into US markets but also developing STOLEN product extensions”.

LAB’s investment in STOLEN follows its recent sale of Louisville-based Angel’s Share Brands LLC (Angel’s Envy Bourbon and Angel’s Envy Rye) to Bacardi Limited for an undisclosed amount.

LAB founder, Marc Bushala said commenting on the partnership: “I am thrilled with our investment in STOLEN. We consider it to be one of the best emerging spirit brands to come to market in the last few years.

“We love STOLEN’s unique brand positioning and their innovation in the rum category. We are also excited to work with the STOLEN team to expand the brand portfolio.”

Stolen Spirits was founded in 2010 by Duff and Roger Holmes and has experienced exponential growth in New Zealand since. Currently the STOLEN portfolio includes the four internationally awarded rums Stolen Dark, Stolen Spiced, Stolen Gold and Stolen White. Using the additional capital, Stolen Spirits will further add STOLEN Smoked Rum to its portfolio in the US early next year.

Kyle Melnyk, STOLEN AU/NZ CEO added: “This event is the most important business milestone in our short history. Critical to early stage businesses is growth-capital and expertise; this deal provides STOLEN with both. LAB’s cornerstone investment allows STOLEN to remain private so we can continue to innovate and stay true to the STOLEN ethos of being a disruptive challenger brand.”

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