Espiritus LLC announces that it has purchased a majority interest in Corner Creek Distillery Co., owner of the fast-growing Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, an 88-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky.

Corner Creek, aged in new American oak a minimum of four years is a blend of whiskeys up to eight years old. Smoothed to perfection with pure Kentucky limestone water, Corner Creek is produced in limited quantities only, due to the considerable amount of aged whiskey in the blend.

Espiritus CEO, spirits industry veteran Jay Maltby, co-founder and former Chairman of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, which was acquired by Bacardi last year, said, “Corner Creek has many of the same qualities of Angel’s Envy – great taste, distinctive package, and loyal customers. Most importantly, in a growing Bourbon market, it has a stock of mature Bourbon.”

Corner Creek, founded in 1998, was a partnership of two long-time industry veterans, Ted Kraut, a successful brand-builder and holder of a number of industry executive sales positions, and Eliot Levin, former owner and publisher of Southern Beverage Journal. Ted, although no longer a shareholder, will consult to the company; Eliot will remain a significant shareholder and work closely with the Espiritus team.

Chuck Chand, Espiritus co-founder and COO, brings brand development experience from Brown-Forman and Group Danone. “Corner Creek has the building blocks in place for breakout growth. Espiritus has a knowledgeable and experienced sales force which will build upon Corner Creek’s strong foundation,” Chand said.

As the Corner Creek brand grew, Eliot and Ted had the foresight to secure stocks of aged whiskey and began distilling and aging their own supply. Now, with Espiritus’ resources, more whiskey can be laid away for even greater sales as well as special releases. “Though Corner Creek has been in limited distribution, the aged whiskey along with maturing stock will enable the 15-strong sales force of Espiritus to complete Ted and Eliot’s vision for the brand,” said Maltby.

Chand added, that “the sales force was immediately struck by Corner Creek’s Burgundy-style bottle,” and noted the brand’s philosophy is clearly stated on the back label: In the tradition of the great wine importers, we at Corner Creek search for the elusive few great barrels of prime American grain, and offer it to you in this limited bottling of Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey.

The front label is an original drawing by noted artist William Nagle, one that brings back the good, relaxed feeling of sitting by the creek, listening to the rushing water while sipping a fine bourbon whiskey.

Espiritus is a sales and marketing platform for premium spirit brands with additional expertise in production, sourcing, logistics, packaging, and finance. The Espiritus portfolio includes the following brands: Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (http://www.cornercreekbourbon.com/), Blue Nectar Tequila (http://www.bluenectartequila.com/), The Lost Distillery Scottish Whisky Company (http://www.lost-distillery.com/), Purus Organic Wheat Italian Vodka (http://www.purusvodka.com/) and Virginia Distillery Company Highland Malt Whisky (http://vadistillery.com/).