Simpson Thacher is representing funds advised by Apax Partners in connection with their acquisition of a controlling stake in Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC (“Ole Smoky”), one of the fastest growing spirits companies in the U.S., from Centerview Capital. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Established in 2010 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ole Smoky is a leading distiller of premium moonshines and whiskeys that are renowned for their high quality, innovative and award-winning flavors. It is one of the largest craft distillers in the U.S. and the most visited in the world. Ole Smoky retails its products across all 50 states and over 20 countries around the world, through over forty-five thousand points of distribution and four experiential distilleries that welcomed over 5.7 million visitors in 2021.
The Simpson Thacher team includes: Michael T. Holick, Ryerson Symons and Malik Ladhani (M&A); Andrew Blau, Megan Arrowsmith and Allison M. Sutherland (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Kaitlyn Posa (Banking & Credit); Sophie Staples and Edward Grais (Tax); Lori Lesser, Samuel Watters and Benjamin Hart (Intellectual Property); Sara Y. Razi, Kelly Karapetyan and James Goldfeier (Antitrust); Krista McManus and Stephanie B. Brenner (Real Estate); Michael Isby (Environmental); and Steven DeLott (Insurance).