Spirits Capital Partners Invests in Maker of Spud Potato Vodka

Spud Potato VodkaDALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)Spirits Capital Partners (SCP), launched last fall by spirits industry veteran Todd Martin, has formed its second investment partnership, with Spud Partners. SCP earlier had announced its first investment partnership with Real McCoy Spirits.

Spud Partners are the creators of Spud Vodka, an award-winning spirit targeted at Millennials, the largest market in US history with 92 million consumers. Spud Vodka is a world class spirit, having won multiple awards at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge (Finalist & 2nd highest rating of 94 points) and will retail for $19.99. Spud’s award-winning culinary flavors will also retail at $19.99.

Spud Vodka was created by advertising veteran Norman Schwartz and award-winning creative director Dean Stefanides. Schwartz and Stefanides are longtime collaborators and responsible for the ground-breaking Yellow Tail and Patron campaigns, along with many others.

Spud Partners has teamed up in a strategic partnership with Roust, the world’s second largest vodka company, for production and distribution. Roust Americas is launching Spud Vodka in several major North American markets over the coming months, and will complete Spud’s roll out next year. Roust is well-known for its successful, globally renowned Russian Standard, Green Mark and Zubrowka vodkas, as well as many other famous brands.

Leonid Yangarber, CEO of Roust Americas, said, ”We are very pleased to introduce Spud Vodka, which is meticulously produced at our famous Polish facilities. The Spud brand nicely complements our unmatched portfolio of world class spirits, and has unique appeal to millions of Millennial consumers throughout the US and Canada.”

Todd Martin said, “Spud Vodka has enormous potential, offering world class quality, sleek packaging, and compelling value. All of these are critical to Millennial consumers, and Spud’s irreverent personality will speak to them in a very personal way. Just as critical, Spirits Capital is delighted to partner with Spud’s highly talented creators along with Roust Americas to help Spud Vodka become a major spirits brand.”

Spirits Capital Partners is the first private equity investment partnership focused exclusively on distilled spirits. SCP is led by Todd Martin, former Allied Domecq North America president and Daucourt Martin Imports founder. Martin is partnered with Vince Hemmer, founder of Silver Pine Partners and former consumer practice leader at private equity firm GTCR. SCP targets investments of between $5 million and $25 million in very high potential premium spirits brands led by talented founding entrepreneurs and strong leadership teams.