McLaren Vale gin company Never Never has been bought by Asahi

An award-winning McLaren Vale gin company has been bought out by a major Japanese beverage company.

Never Never Distilling Co’s Triple Juniper gin.

Award-winning McLaren Vale gin company Never Never Distilling Co has been bought by Japanese giant Asahi Beverages for an undisclosed sum.

The company, which was launched by George Georgiadis, Tim Boast and Sean Baxter in a 16 sqm Thebarton shed in 2016, has been one of the pioneers of the Australian spirits industry, and has had great success at international awards shows with products such as its Triple Juniper, Ginache and Southern Strength gins.

It also produces varietals including Oyster Shell, Pink Pepper and Beeswax and Olive.

The company now employs about 15 people full time at their site at Chalk Hill in McLaren Vale, plus 30 casual staff.

Co-founder and managing director George Georgiadis, who was formerly an investment director with Sydney’s Pemba Capital Partners until late last year, said the founders would stay with the business.

Never Never founders: George Georgiadis, Sean Baxter and Tim Boast. Supplied

“While this is a game changer for our brand, outside of the support it provides, this won’t change the core of the business,’’ Mr Georgiadis said in a statement.

“Rest assured, the founder team will be working hard to continue to achieve the success that has got us to this point.

“It’s a day which allows us the opportunities to finally take Never Never and build it into the brand we have always dreamt of. We didn’t start Never Never to be small.

“That’s somewhat ironic given we started in a 16 sqm space in a shed with no running water.

“It was always our ambition to build a spirit brand that competed with some of the biggest in the world, we just thought it might take a while.

“Every big brand starts with one or two people with aspirations of greatness, with a passion and commitment to quality flavour.

Never Never Distilling Co's award-winning Southern Strength Gin.

“We want our brand to have a similar trajectory, to grow into something beyond our comprehension and to continue to tell our story for generations to come.’’

Asahi Beverages group chief executive Amanda Sellers said the company was acquiring Never Never because, “we recognise Never Never’s incredible brand and success’’.

“Combining Asahi’s reach with Never Never’s amazing portfolio, extensive spirits knowledge and capability will enhance the value proposition for our customers.”

Never Never Distilling Co has been bought out by Asahi Beverages. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Asahi’s other brands either owned or manufactured and sold under licence in Australia include beer brands Asahi, Peroni and Mountain Goat, as well as Gatorade and Sunkist.

It also owns Woodstock Bourbon, Tequila Blu and Vodka Cruiser.

Never Never will be sold through Asahi’s alcohol division Carlton & United Breweries.

Originally published as McLaren Vale gin company Never Never has been bought by Asahi