Who Owns Aviation American Gin?
Aviation American Gin is owned by Diageo, the British spirits conglomerate, which acquired the brand along with Davos Brands in August 2020 for approximately $610 million upfront, with performance-based payments potentially bringing the total to $735 million. Actor Ryan Reynolds, who acquired a stake in Aviation American Gin in 2018, retained an equity interest following the Diageo acquisition.
Parent Company
Diageo plc
Acquired
2020
Status
Private
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon, USA
Who Owns Aviation American Gin?
- Parent Company: Diageo plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2020
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: DGE
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation American Gin | Diageo plc | Wholly owned |
History of Aviation American Gin
- Founded: 2006
- Founders: Ryan Magarian, Christian Krogstad
- Acquired by Diageo plc: 2020
Aviation American Gin was founded in 2006 in Portland, Oregon by bartender Ryan Magarian and distiller Christian Krogstad at House Spirits Distillery. The brand positioned itself around the American-style gin category, which uses a softer botanical profile compared to London Dry gins.
The brand attracted national distribution and critical recognition within craft spirits circles before Ryan Reynolds acquired his stake in 2018. Reynolds restructured the marketing around self-deprecating humor and direct social media engagement, which drove viral awareness and rapid sales growth at a scale House Spirits could not have achieved independently.
By August 2020, Diageo recognized the brand's trajectory and acquired it as part of a broader push into premium American craft spirits, alongside Casamigos Tequila (acquired 2017) and other celebrity-associated brands.
About Diageo plc
What does Diageo own?
Diageo owns a portfolio of approximately 200 alcoholic beverage brands including Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka, Don Julio tequila, Baileys Irish cream, Captain Morgan rum, Crown Royal Canadian whisky, Tanqueray gin, Bulleit bourbon, and Cîroc vodka. The company also holds a 34.2% stake in Moet Hennessy, the wines and spirits division of LVMH, giving it indirect exposure to the Hennessy cognac and Moet & Chandon champagne brands. Diageo's brands are sold in nearly 180 countries.
Is Diageo publicly traded?
Yes, Diageo plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker DGE and on the New York Stock Exchange as an American Depositary Receipt under ticker DEO. The company has been publicly listed since its formation in 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. Diageo does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors.
Who founded Diageo?
Diageo was formed on 17 December 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan plc and Guinness plc. Grand Metropolitan was a British conglomerate that owned Smirnoff, Baileys, and J&B, among other brands. Guinness plc owned the Guinness stout brand, Johnnie Walker, and a portfolio of other spirits. The merged entity was named Diageo, a name derived from Latin and Greek roots intended to convey global reach.
Where is Diageo headquartered?
Diageo is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company maintains its registered office and principal executive offices in London. Diageo's operational footprint spans the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Scotland, Jamaica, Mexico, India, and Canada, among other countries. The company's Scotch whisky operations are centered in Scotland, where it operates numerous distilleries.
How many brands does Diageo own?
Diageo owns approximately 200 alcoholic beverage brands across spirits, beer, and wine. Of these, 13 brands each generate over one billion US dollars in annual net sales. These billion-dollar brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Don Julio, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Tanqueray, Bulleit, J&B, Buchanan's, Windsor, and Cîroc. The company also holds a 34.2% stake in Moet Hennessy, which owns additional premium brands.
Who owns Diageo?
Diageo plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and pension funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Diageo. The company is incorporated in England and Wales and is subject to UK corporate governance requirements, including a board with a majority of independent non-executive directors.
What is Diageo's revenue?
Diageo reported net sales of approximately 20.2 billion US dollars for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025, with organic net sales growth of 1.7%. The company's fiscal year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Free cash flow for FY2025 was approximately 2.7 billion US dollars. Diageo's revenue has faced headwinds from unfavorable foreign exchange movements and challenging macroeconomic conditions in key markets including the United States and Greater China.
What is Diageo's sustainability commitment?
Diageo has committed to achieving net zero emissions across its value chain by 2050 through its Spirit of Progress action plan. The company's validated science-based targets include reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero in direct operations by 2040. Diageo focuses on water stewardship, packaging sustainability, and regenerative agriculture, with over 85% renewable electricity use and 43% recycled content in PET bottles achieved in 2025.
- Founded: 1997
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: DGE
- Revenue: approximately $20.2 billion (FY2025, year ended 30 June 2025)
- Employees: Approximately 28,000
Where Is Aviation American Gin Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
Brands Owned by Diageo plc
- Baileys - Irish cream liqueur brand, the world's best-selling cream liqueur, produced by D...
- Don Julio - Mexican premium tequila brand founded in 1942, one of the world's top-selling lu...
- Guinness - Irish dry stout beer brand, one of the world's most recognized and best-selling ...
- Johnnie Walker - Scottish brand of blended Scotch whisky, the world's best-selling blended Scotch...
- Smirnoff - Global vodka brand, the world's best-selling vodka by volume, produced by Diageo...
Aviation American Gin Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Premium positioning with strong craft credentials and celebrity association
- +Diageo's global distribution network provides access to 180+ markets
- +Differentiated American-style botanical profile from London Dry competitors
- +Strong social media presence built under Reynolds's ownership
Considerations
- -Celebrity association creates brand dependence on Reynolds's continued involvement
- -Premium craft gin market is increasingly competitive
- -Post-acquisition marketing tone may be difficult to sustain at Diageo's scale
Frequently Asked Questions About Aviation American Gin
Sources & Further Reading
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Aviation American Gin
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Forman | USA | 1866 | Mass market | Global | Adults | |
| Ab Inbev | Mexico | 1925 | Mass market | Global | Adults | |
| Lvmh | France | 1765 | Mass market | Global | All-ages | |
| Constellation Brands | Mexico | 1925 | Mass market | Global | All-ages |
Learn More About Competitors

Jack Daniel's
Owned by Brown-Forman Corporation
American brand of Tennessee whiskey, one of the best-selling whiskey brands in the world.

Corona
Owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
Mexican beer brand known for its light lager served with a lime, one of the best-selling imported beers worldwide.

Hennessy
Owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE
French cognac brand renowned for exceptional quality and global prestige, owned by LVMH.

Modelo
Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc.
Mexican beer brand including Modelo Especial, America's best-selling beer since 2023.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Aviation American Gin competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Diageo plc Stock Information
Jobs at Diageo plc
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