D'USSE

Cognac brand.

CognacSpiritsLuxury

Acquired^{Source [1]}^{Source [4]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About D'USSE

D'USSE is a cognac brand launched in 2012 as a venture between Bacardi and Jay-Z, who the brand names as its founder. It is produced at Chateau de Cognac in France and sold as VSOP and XO expressions, along with personalized and limited edition bottles.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}^{Source [3]}

According to IWSR data cited in 2023, it was the best performing cognac brand in the US, with compound annual growth above 30 percent over the prior three years.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}

After a dispute over the brand's value, Bacardi agreed in February 2023 to buy a majority of Carter's 50 percent stake, taking at least 75.01 percent of the business. Carter kept a significant ownership stake.^{Source [4]}^{Source [2]}

What happened

Launched in 2012 as a venture between Bacardi and Jay-Z. After a 2022 legal dispute, Bacardi agreed in February 2023 to buy a majority of Carter's stake, taking at least 75.01 percent, while Carter kept a significant ownership stake.^{Source [1]}^{Source [4]}

Timeline

2023-02Bacardi agreed to buy a majority of Jay-Z's stake, ending their dispute.^{Source [2]}^{Source [4]}
2021Won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.^{Source [2]}
2012Launched by Bacardi and Jay-Z.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}

Products and brands

D'USSE VSOP: Cognac.^{Source [3]}^{Source [2]}
D'USSE XO: Cognac.^{Source [3]}^{Source [2]}
Personalized and limited edition bottles: Engraved bottles and flasks and limited releases.^{Source [3]}

How it makes money: Sells super-premium cognac through Bacardi's distribution.^{Source [2]}

People on Founded, and where they went next

1 person on record, connected to 5 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Jay-Z	Founder and co-owner2012 to now	TIDAL2015 to nowAcquiredArmand de Brignac2014 to nowActiveRoc Nation2008 to nowActiveRocawear1999AcquiredRoc-A-Fella Records1994 to 2004Acquired

Sources

Bacardi buys majority stake in D'Usse, The Spirits Business, 2023-02-06. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter and Bacardi Redefine the Next Chapter of the D'USSE Brand, Bacardi via PR Newswire, 2023-02-03. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Our Founder, JAY-Z, D'USSE. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Bacardi buys majority of Jay-Z's cognac brand, ending legal battle, Food Dive, 2023-02. Accessed Sep 28, 2026.

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