Spirits brand co-owned by Ryan Reynolds shutters Portland distillery, visitor center
PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A celebrity-owned spirits brand has shuttered its space in Northwest Portland.
The Aviation American Gin Distillery and Visitor Center is no more, according to a spokesperson for Diageo — the global alcohol company that acquired the Portland-founded gin brand in 2020. The company debuted the distillery and visitor center on 2075 NW Wilson St. about two years later.
"This decision reflects evolving business needs, as we continue to support growth ambitions for our Aviation American Gin brand," a Diageo spokesperson wrote in a statement to KOIN 6. "Aviation American Gin remains an important part of Diageo's portfolio and we are committed to the brand, our customers and consumers."
Portland's House Spirits Distillery founded the gin brand in the early 2000s. Emmy-award winning actor Ryan Reynolds acquired a portion of the company in 2018, and has remained a co-owner since Diageo took over Aviation and Davos Brands two years later.
As part of the acquisition announcement, the global spirits company revealed it would pay up to $610 million — including an initial amount of $335 million and a potential payment of up to $275 million, depending on Aviation's performance within 10 years.
Diageo opened the gin company's almost 33,000-square-foot distillery and visitor center in September 2022, showcasing a cocktail bar, tasting room and gift shop. The business also offered tours that showed visitors the distillation and bottling process.
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The Portland facility's closure has impacted just one Diageo employee, the company has confirmed. Another four employees of the Visitor Center, who were hired by a third party, were impacted as well.
Diageo also revealed it already began transitioning its Portland production to facilities in other locations last year, in an attempt to build more resilience and efficiency for its footprint in North America. The international company owns several other prominent brands in the region, including Captain Morgan, Crown Royal and Smirnoff.
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