Sazerac, a US-based alcoholic beverages company, has purchased Australian spirits distribution company SouthTrade International from Pinnacle Drinks.

Financial details of the deal have not been divulged by either company.

Pinnacle Drinks acquired a controlling stake in South Trade in 2013.

"Our relationship with Pinnacle could not be better. We will continue to represent their brands in the on-premise."

Sazerac global sales director Guy May was quoted by just-drinks.com as saying: "the realisation of an opportunity to capitalise on a portfolio of strong brands invested to succeed across all channels of the Australian drinks market".

SouthTrade has been distributing Sazerac's brands since 2009, including Buffalo Trace.

SouthTrade co-founder Tony Stubley was quoted by the website as saying: “Meanwhile, our relationship with Pinnacle could not be better. We will continue to represent their brands in the on-premise.”

Stubley also added that this deal will enable the firm to tap new routes to market.

Ray Noble, who is serving as the marketing director for Bacardi Martini, has been announced as managing director of SouthTrade.

SouthTrade founders Stubley and Dave Higgins will remain on the company's board of directors.

Earlier this month, Sezerac acquired UK-based spirits bottler The Last Drop Distillers.