Heineken Acquires Stake in Ellie Goulding’s Served RTDs
Heineken UK has obtained a “significant minority” stake in Served, the ready-to-drink (RTD) brand backed by singer Ellie Goulding. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Six Questions with Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo, Founder and Master Tequilero of Casa Noble Tequila
We chat with the founder of Casa Noble about why innovation has anchored his business model, what beyond organic means, and how being part of the Constellation portfolio has changed the business.
Spirits M&A: Illva Saronno Buys Sagamore, William Grant & Sons Adds Gin
With American whiskey on the rise, a major rye distiller was swooped up by an Italian spirits group, while veteran and new players in spirits made bets on U.K. brands finding success across the pond. We recap another busy week in spirits M&A.
InvestBev Pours $1M into Ten To One Rum
Spirits-focused private equity group InvestBev has found its next partner.
Campari Announces CEO Transition Plan
Concluding an 18 year-run with the company in which he helped revive the Aperol Spritz, Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Campari Group, announced on Tuesday he will be stepping down from the Italian spirits company in April 2024.
Bacardi Acquires Ilegal Mezcal
Bacardi Limited has jumped fully into the mezcal game and acquired Ilegal Mezcal, the company announced today.
Diddy Wins Round One in Legal Battle With Diageo
Sean “Diddy” Combs has won the first round in the lawsuit against Diageo alleging that his spirits brands received worse treatment because of his race.
NIQ: Non-Alc Reaches $510M; NA Craft Beer and Spirits Drive Growth
Non-alcohol spirits, wine and beer now have a market value exceeding half a billion dollars in off-premise channels, according to a new NIQ report on the category.
The Macallan Deepens Supply Chain With Cask Maker Acquisition and U.S. Partnership
The Macallan has locked up a stock of barrels. The well-known Edrington-owned Scotch whisky brand has completed an acquisition of the Spain-based Vasyma cooperage business, while also entering a joint-venture partnership with Ohio’s Coopers Oak to further deepen its supply chain
New Tequila from VC Banks on Additive-Free Luxury
As new luxury tequilas aim to compete with those started by celebrity partners, one brand is hoping to carve out a niche in the segment by emphasizing what it doesn’t have.
Harsh Winds From Chi-Town: The Push To Nationalize Malört
If you’ve stumbled into a Chicago bar late at night, it’s likely you’ve been offered a shot of Jeppson’s Malört. Like Fernet to San Francisco, the Swedish-style liquor has become a bartender's handshake in the city and an unlikely regional icon. Now, hitting its 90th anniversary, the owners are building on its organic social media buzz, merchandise collection, and even its polarizing taste to push it into bars across the country.
Pernod Ricard: Sales Up 13%; U.S. Decline Expected
Pernod Ricard net sales grew +13% to $13.2 billion in FY 2023, but in its earnings report today the liquor company warned that sales would soon see a decline in China and the U.S.
Brown-Forman: Global Sales Up 3%; Ad Spend Up on Jack & Coke Launch
Brown-Forman net sales increased 3% to $1 billion in Q1 FY 2024, but took a hit in the U.S. due to slower whiskey sales, supply chain challenges, and rebuilding inventory.
Canelo RTD Steps Into the Ring, Backed By Spirit of Gallo
The company behind leading ready-to-drink cocktail High Noon is bringing out a new contender: VMC, a tequila-based canned cocktail born from a partnership between world champion boxer Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez, Spirit of Gallo, and Casa Lumbre is set to release next month, the company announced today.