Viral Welsh brand reportedly set to be sold to US group in £500m deal

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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Viral Welsh drinks manufacturer AU Vodka is set to be sold to Sazerac, a US group which also owns BuzzBallz and Southern Comfort, according to reports.

Known globally for its striking gold bottles and cans, the brand has been co-signed by huge names such as DJ Charlie Sloth, who also acquired a stake in the business, as well as sports stars Ronaldinho and Floyd Mayweather.

Sky News reports the deal could earn founders and childhood friends Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn more than £100m each.

Sazerac said in a statement given to BBC Wales that the deal would allow the business “to deepen its presence in the UK”.

Headquartered in Swansea, it is reported that the firm’s home was transformed with a £3m investment, which included a nine-hole mini-golf course.

Earlier this year, AU Vodka was the headline sponsor of the Swansea Life Awards, which returned to the events calendar after a six-year absence.