Stoli USA takes on KAH Tequila

Stoli Group USA has taken on importation, distribution, sales and marketing rights for KAH Tequila after fellow SPI Group subsidiary Amber Beverage Group acquired a significant stake in the company that produces it earlier this year.

KAH Tequila is comprised of four expressions; blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo

In September, it was announced that Amber Beverage Group had acquired a significant equity stake in Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, which makes KAH Tequila, taking full ownership of the brand – its first foray into the Tequila category.

Today, Stoli Group USA confirmed that it has taken on the importation, distribution, sales and marketing rights for the KAH Tequila brand, effective immediately.

KAH, which translates to “life” in the ancient Mayan language, comprises four expressions – a blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo – each being made from hand-selected 100% blue agave and presented in a painted skull bottle.

It comes at a time when the Tequila category is growing strongly in the US, recording growth of 5.2% in 2015 and according to IWSR’s US Beverage Alcohol Review 2016.

“We are on a fast track at Stoli Group with innovative line extensions and strategic portfolio expansion,” said Patrick Piana, president and CEO of Stoli Group USA. “KAH Tequila is an inventive product line and provides a springboard into a category that is rising quickly in popularity with consumers. Our whole team is toasting to this new opportunity.”

SPI Group, of which Stoli USA is a subsidiary, created Amber Beverage Group in 2014, bringing SC Latvijas Balzams, SPI Distribution Latvia, SPI Distribution Estonia, Bennet Distributors in Lithuania, beverage retailer Latvijas Balzams in Latvia and Bravo Alco in Lithuania under one umbrella company.

The firm employs 1,400 people across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia who bottle, market, distribute, export and retail around 500 spirits and wines to 160 global markets.

Stoli Group USA is anothe subsidiary of SPI Group, headquartered in New York, importer and marketing of alcoholic beverages in the US. Its current portfolio includes Stolichnaya vodka, Stoli Ginger Beer, ultra-premium elit Vodka as well as wines from Argentina’s Achaval-Ferrer and Arinzano of Spain.