BEAM SUNTORY ACQUIRES 50% STAKE IN SOUTH AFRICAN PREMIUM SPIRITS DISTRIBUTER

Beam Suntory, has today announced that it has acquired a 50% equity stake in ABV Brands, an independent distributor of premium spirits in South Africa.

ABV Brands was appointed distributor in South Africa for Beam Suntory in 2010, and has since grown sales of Beam Suntory’s brands by more than 260%, driven in part by consistent double-digit growth of brands including Jim Beam.

Jim Beam a key driver in double digit sales growth in the Beam Suntory
portfolio in South Africa since 2010

Acquired from Cyprus-based FIX Wines & Spirits Ltd, the remaining 50% of the business will continue to be held by ABV Brands co-founders and management team.

Commenting on the news, Albert Baladi, President, International at Beam Suntory, said: “I am delighted to announce our strategic investment in ABV Brands in South Africa, which extends our successful partnership with ABV Brands. The African spirits market has phenomenal growth potential for Beam Suntory and our global whisky and cognac portfolio is ideally suited to capture the growth of premium spirits. This partnership gives us a beachhead, and we will continue to look for opportunities to become a key player in Sub-Saharan Africa by expanding our footprint, growing our brands and securing strong routes to market.”

Today’s news represents a strategic extension of the partnership, and will unlock growth potential by allowing for further investment in sales and marketing capabilities to expand distribution and reach more consumers. ABV Brands aims to be among the top five distributors in South Africa by 2020.

Posted by Steve Rush

A NEW SINGLE MALT IS BORN AT THE ISLE OF HARRIS DISTILLERY

The Isle of Harris Distillery, has announced that it brought in the New Year by celebrating the filling of its very first casks.

The spirit which will eventually become their Hearach single malt, flowed from the distillery’s copper stills just before Christmas, and the 561 litres it produced have now been filled into its first three casks.

Isle of Harris Distillery workers; Domhnall Macleod, Billy Fraser and Donnie Macleod
with the first three filled casks 

The Isle of Harris Distillery based in Tarbert, opened its doors on September 24th 2015, and is the first distillery on the island and the first of significant commercial size in the Outer Hebrides.

During January, Production Manager Kenny Maclean and the distillery team will work to adjust their methods to ensure the ‘new make spirit’ has the character the company is looking for, then will fill the first run of 200 casks – ex Buffalo Trace barrels, which have already been bought by private individuals.

Commenting on the news, Simon Erlanger, Managing Director of the Isle of Harris Distillery, said: “We opened the distillery in late September with what was really a family affair for the whole of the people of Harris including the biggest ceilidh the island has ever seen and now we have even more to celebrate with the production of our first spirit,”

From the outset the distillery has been determined to place itself at the heart of the Harris community and has become known as the Social Distillery. Many of those first 200 casks have been purchased by islanders and will be part of the island’s own story.

The Isle of Harris Distillery, will eventually produce the equivalent of 300,000 bottles a year of its Hearach single malt whisky.

Posted by Steve Rush

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS CEO STELLA DAVID TO STEP DOWN IN FEBRUARY

William Grant & Sons has announced that its CEO Stella David, will be stepping down in February 2016.

Stella joined William Grant & Sons in August 2009 and has overseen impressive growth of the company’s award-winning portfolio of spirit brands.

William Grant & Sons CEO Stella David to step down in February 2016

Since joining the global spirits business and independent family distillers, Stella has overseen the acquisition of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey and Drambuie, and delivered exceptional results for the business, with great growth of brands such as Hendrick’s gin and The Balvenie single malt Scotch whisky.

Commenting on the news, Stella David, said: “I am immensely proud of my time at William Grant & Sons and there is no doubt that there is a huge amount I am going to miss about the company. It has been an incredible journey, with a focus on building brands, planning for the long term, working with a talented array of people and very supportive family shareholders. I wish the company every success for the future.”

Stella will be succeeded by current Chief Commercial Officer Simon Hunt, who has been with William Grant & Sons since October 2007. He will take over the role of Chief Executive on March 1st 2016 and Stella will continue in an advisory capacity until the end of May 2016.

Posted by Steve Rush