John Paul DeJoria Acquires Texas-based Waterloo Gin

Patrón Tequila founder John Paul DeJoria has acquired Austin, Texas-based Waterloo Gin from Treaty Oak Distilling for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is separate from DeJoria’s investment in Round 2 Spirits, the new company led by Patrón veterans that recently debuted its Weber Ranch Vodka brand.

Waterloo nods to the original name of the city of Austin, before it was rechristened for Texas pioneer Stephen F. Austin in the 1830s. The gin label includes the flagship Waterloo No. 9—distilled with nine local botanicals including lavender, grapefruit, and pecan—as well as Waterloo Antique Gin, which spends two years in first-use medium char American white oak barrels. Both are bottled at 94 proof.

The company will be led by Justin Meigs as CEO. Meigs was previously an original member of the Empress Gin team that launched and grew the brand to over 260,000 cases before selling it to Milestone Brands in 2022. Plans call for a “comprehensive refresh” of Waterloo’s packaging, along with distribution expansion. Currently, Waterloo Gin is handled by RNDC in Texas and Breakthru Beverage in Florida.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Treaty Oak, Waterloo Gin

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