Bacardi Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda, expanded its portfolio of super-premium spirits with the acquisition of Louisville-based Angel’s Share Brands; its subsidiary, Louisville Distilling Co.; and its Angel’s Envy brand. This deal marks the company’s entry into the bourbon category of the North American whiskey sector.

“We have a clear strategy aligned to meet consumer needs in premium spirits and are building an even stronger portfolio through innovation and acquisition. The purchase of Angel’s Share Brands and the Angel’s Envy portfolio further reinforces our commitment to growing the super-premium spirits sector,” said Bacardi Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Mike Dolan in a statement.

The company highlighted the growth of Angel’s Envy Port Finished Bourbon, the flagship brand, in the super-premium bourbon segment in the United States.

“Bacardi has a long history of successful acquisitions of cutting-edge brands,” said Barry Kabalkin, vice chairman of Bacardi Ltd., in a statement. “Bacardi looks for the gems of innovation in the spirits world to complement our premium and super-premium brands, and Angel’s Envy is a natural fit for our portfolio. We are thrilled to add Angel’s Envy, one of the most exciting brands in the North American whiskey category today, to our highly focused portfolio of iconic brands.”

Angel’s Envy will continue as a standalone operation, with the business structure, employee base, production, distribution, commercial and marketing activities remaining unchanged, Bacardi Ltd. says. Angel’s Envy’s new distillery and brand experience center in downtown Louisville is planned for a 2016 opening and will showcase Kentucky bourbon-making traditions, it says.

 “Angel’s Envy, like Bacardi, was founded as a family-owned business driven by an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Bacardi Ltd. Chairman Facundo L. Bacardi, a fifth-generation Bacardi family member, in a statement. “The secrets to crafting Angel’s Envy have been well preserved by three generations of the Henderson family. Bacardi is well recognized for showcasing the unique heritage and origin of our brands, so I’m thrilled that the Henderson family, under the stewardship of Global Brand Ambassador Wes Henderson, will continue to be directly involved with the Angel’s Envy brand.”

The three expressions of Angel’s Envy currently are available in on- and off-premise establishments throughout the United States.