Hotaling & Co is closing the Pier 50 distillery in San Francisco as the US-based group looks to focus on its importation business.<\/p>\n
The production facility, which distils Junipero Gin and Old Potrero Rye Whiskey, is set to close at the end of this week. The manufacturing of the two brands will be taken over by contract partners, symbolising the end of Hotaling\u2019s\u00a0in-house distilling operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a strategic step following a comprehensive review of our long-term growth priorities and capital allocation,\u201d the company told Global Drinks Intel. \u201cThe decision enables us to sharpen our focus on our core strengths as a builder and importer of world-class fine spirits brands and to align resources around the areas where we are best positioned to drive sustainable growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cHotaling & Co will remain headquartered in San Francisco and will continue our longstanding partnerships throughout the Bay Area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hotaling, which was previously Anchor Distilling Co,\u00a0added: \u201cSupply continuity [of Junipero and Old Potrero] remains a priority. We have sufficient bulk and bottled inventory in place and will continue working with trusted Bay Area production partners to ensure consistent quality and seamless availability in the market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local news outlets<\/a>\u00a0have also reported that the closure of Pier 50 will result in job losses for the whole distilling team, although the exact headcount was not disclosed.\u00a0Posting on Instagram last week<\/a>, head distiller & blender Kevin Aslan confirmed the news, noting that Hotaling had \u201cmade the difficult decision to close the distillery\u201d and that his role would be terminated on Friday (27 February).<\/p>\n