Spirit of Gallo is adding a new Mexican spirit to its portfolio by making a strategic investment in Mexico City’s Condesa Gin, which it will also import, the company announced today.
The move was described as a foray into the super premium gin category, several price brackets up from Spirit of Gallo’s other gin brand, New Amsterdam.
“The gin category is evolving, as consumers trade up to premium brands from interesting places with compelling stories,” said Britt West, executive vice president and general manager of Spirit of Gallo, in a statement.
Condesa Gin is currently offered in two expressions: Clásica and Prickly Pear & Orange Blossom for a SRP of $39.99. The gin is produced at a women-owned-and-operated distillery, and was founded by Ben Brooksby, Jordi Nieto and Hillhamn Salome, who is also the master distiller. Salome was just 18 years old when she established the distillery in 2015 with a vision of creating modern spirits inspired by the cultural and culinary heritage of Mexico. Condesa Gin was released in 2016.
The gin represents the increasing range of new spirits coming from Mexico beyond tequila and mezcal. Spirit of Gallo has also previously partnered on a ready-to-drink cocktail with Mexican spirits company Casa Lumbre, which has carved out a niche at the backbar with anything from a premium Mexican orange liqueur to a celebrity-backed non-alc agave spirit.
This new partnership will capitalize on Condesa Gin’s home market success where it has become the fastest growing super premium gin in Mexico, according to the release, and increase the brand’s distribution stateside.
“We are honored to partner with Spirit of Gallo,” Nieto said in the statement. “This partnership allows us to expand our community and distribution in the U.S., while advancing us on our journey to become a leader in the luxury gin space.”
After luxury spirit sales took off during the pandemic, growth at the top-end of many spirits categories – namely tequila, vodka and cognac – has slowed over the last year. But gin’s premiumization run seems to have a longer life: the ultra segment ($35+) was the only segment to experience sales growth (+19%) in the last 52 weeks ending March 23 in off-premise outlets according to NIQ.
Other major spirits companies have recently made investments in global high-end gin as well. William Grant acquired English brand Silent Pool last fall, and Brown-Forman purchased Spanish gin Gin Mare in 2022.
Terms of the deal for Condesa Gin were not disclosed.