Sazerac buys stake in John Distilleries

Sazerac, a family-owned spirits company in the US, has completed its two-part acquisition of a significant minority stake in John Distilleries Pvt Ltd (JDPL), a leading liquor maker in India. Sazerac has acquired the 20 per cent stake that private equity investor Gaja Capital still held at a valuation of $143 million (Rs 1,000 crore), taking its overall holding to 43 per cent. Gaja Capital founder and Managing Partner Gopal Jain confirmed the development but declined to disclose details. Sazerac declined to comment while John Distilleries didn′t respond to queries. Sazerac acquired a 23 per cent stake in John Distilleries from Gaja Capital in October last year, marking its entry into India. Paul John, Chairman and MD at John Distilleries, holds the remaining 57 per cent stake. Gaja Capital, which invested about $10.7 million (Rs 75 crore) in John Distilleries in 2011-2013, has made a fivefold return through the exit.