Reyes Beverage Group has picked up another major spirits supplier in California as Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) winds down operations in the Golden State.
Family-owned distiller William Grant & Sons (WG&S) and Reyes Beverage Group announced today a new distribution partnership in California, effective July 1, with exclusivity of representation beginning September 1.
The William Grant & Sons brands in the distribution agreement include The Balvenie and Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whiskies, Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Tequila, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Reyka Vodka, Hudson Whiskey, Grants Scotch, Silent Pool Gin, Drambuie and others.
“We’re excited for this next phase of growth with Reyes Beverage Group, in one of our most important markets in the U.S.,” said James Casey, president and managing director, William Grant & Sons U.S. “Reyes Beverage Group has a proven track record of building and developing premium brands and have demonstrated their invaluable goals for future proofing their business which aligns squarely with ours.”
The move follows an exodus of other spirits brands from RNDC in California and nationally, and the subsequent planned withdrawal from the state by the distributor on September 1. The closure has left hundreds of suppliers scrambling for new wholesale suppliers.
With two of the largest global spirit companies (William Grant & Sons and Brown-Forman) now joining its California portfolio, Reyes has an opportunity to slide deeper into spirits, but it remains to be seen how it will transition from stocking the cold box to servicing on-premise spirits accounts.
“We look forward to leveraging the power of our teams and their luxury portfolio to win big in the on-premise and across the entire California market,” said Reyes Beverage Group CEO Tom Day.
William Grant & Sons also joins LALO Tequila and Fernet Branca USA in the shift to the total beverage distributor. Reyes has distributed Brown-Forman’s Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola ready-to-drink (RTD) in California since its launch in 2022, and nabbed the whiskey giant’s entire portfolio last month, before RNDC’s announced exit from California. High Noon and Tito’s also moved to Reyes in California.
Moving to Reyes, a traditional beer distributor, is likely attracting RTD brands for its connection to the convenience channel and command over cold boxes. Reyes, the largest beer distributor in the country, has been steadily growing its spirits and RTD portfolio, including with Sazerac’s recent BuzzBallz acquisition. The distributor has been gobbling up smaller beer distributors across California since 2018.
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