Top drinks supplier changes and partnerships: December

Gordon & MacPhail x Chopin Imports

Scotch whisky distiller and bottler Gordon & MacPhail have announced a multi-year agreement with Chopin Imports, the marketing company for Chopin Vodka and other spirit brands.

Chopin will manage the Gordon & MacPhail range including the Discovery, Connoisseurs Choice, Distillery labels as well as special releases from their Private Collections and Generations. It will also manage eight Benromach lines and introduced the distiller’s Red Door Gin and Dunkeld Atholl Brose from Gordon & MacPhail to the US market.

As such, Chopin will be responsible for distributing more than 100 spirit offerings ranging in age from 10 years to over 70.

Chopin Imports COO, Chuck Kane, said: “The Urquhart family has entrusted Chopin with not just representing a great line-up of products but also with representing four generations of their family history. Moreover, Chopin has a great opportunity to build the Benromach brand across the United States.”

David King, international director of sales at Gordon & MacPhail, added: “The United States is an important market and very much a focus of our long-term plan to build upon the Gordon & MacPhail single malt whisky brand status in the luxury sector while bringing attention to the Benromach brand.

“It only makes sense for us to work with a company that builds and understands the luxury spirit category in the U.S. I am confident, that our unique spirits collection coupled with the expertise of Chopin Imports, will bring great success in the US market.”

Tad Dorda, founder and CEO of Chopin Imports, commented: “It is a privilege to add Gordon & MacPhail and Benromach to the Chopin Import portfolio. There is no greater trust, quality, selection or authority when it comes to whisky than Gordon & MacPhail. The world over, their Scotch Whisky collection cannot be matched”.

Domaine Billaud-Simon x MMD

This month it was announced that UK fine wine importer Maisons Marques et Domaines will be the exclusive distributor for Domaine Billaud-Simon, starting from 1 January 2019.

The Chablis producer will join the MMD portfolio which also includes Domaine Faiveley which has been the owner of Billaud-Simon since 2014.

MMD has been the distributor of Faiveley in the UK for the last 20 years.

Erwan Faiveley, owner of Domaine Faiveley and Domaine Billaud-Simon, said: “I am very excited to have Billaud-Simon distributed by MMD in the UK.

“They have been the sole distributor of Domaine Faiveley for 20 years and it was a natural move for us, and a tribute to the quality of the team and portfolio! It is also the consolidation of a long friendship between the Faiveley and Rouzaud families.”

Richard Billett, Managing Director at MMD, added “We are delighted to welcome Billaud-Simon into the MMD portfolio as it not only enhances the strength and breadth of our Burgundy proposition but also deepens our long-standing collaboration and valued partnership with Domaine Faiveley.”

Teeling Whiskey x Maverick Drinks

Teeling Whiskey Group Shot

Dublin distillery Teeling named Maverick Drinks as its exclusive UK distributor this month.

Teeling, which launched in March 2015, joins the rest of Maverick’s portfolio which includes craft spirits brands Ableforth’s gin, Bluecoat Gin, rum label Darkness, Drinks by the Dram, That Boutique-y Gin Company, That Boutique-y Rum Company, and That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

It will gain access to Maverick’s network of retail and on-trade outlets in the UK.

Teeling is the first distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years. Founders Jack and Stephen Teeling named the business after their own ancestor, who founded a small batch distillery under the family name in 1782.

Maverick’s head of development Michael Machron said the Teeling is “exactly the kind of brand we are always looking for.”

“It has everything – great design, extraordinary value, wonderful people, a real link to the community, and delicious, award-winning liquid”.

Eden Mill x Debenhams

Scottish distiller and brewer Eden Mill teamed up with Debenhams this month for a special Christmas partnership.

As part of the deal, customers can sample and buy products in pop-up Eden Mill shops at 50 branches of the high street retailer throughout December.

The distiller, based in Guardbridge near St Andrews, has national listings in stores including Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis.

Paul Miller, co-founder of Eden Mill, said: “Debenhams is synonymous with Christmas and has been a staple for Christmas shopping for decades.

“What better place to open the Eden Mill pop-ups where shoppers and gin enthusiasts alike can purchase the ideal gin gift for their loved ones.”

Sam Shutt, head of external food services at Debenhams, added: “We are really pleased to welcome Eden Mills to Debenhams stores across the country. Our mission this Christmas is to celebrate the joy of shopping by creating a party atmosphere where shoppers can raise a glass to the festive period while browsing our gifts, fashion and home offering. Our new Eden Mills gin bars mean that customers can take some time, meet friends and relax with a drink while celebrating their Christmas purchases”.

Lakes Distillery x World Duty Free

The Lakes Distillery’s Steel Bonnets whisky (a blend of English and Scotch malt whisky) and its Elderflower Gin Liqueur have been listed in main World Duty Free stores. The Lakes Rhubarb and Rosehip Gin Liqueur crackers are also in stores as a seasonal addition.

The whisky and gin liqueur joins other expressions from the distiller already stocked in duty free including The Lakes Gin, The One whisky, The Lakes Explorer Gin and The Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur.

The brand has also had activations in Newcastle, London Gatwick North Terminal and Manchester Terminal 1.

Maria Duddin director of Business Development and UK sales said: “The success of our spirits with World Duty Free is testament to their quality and our innovative portfolio. We are proud to be introducing Steel Bonnets and a wider range of our products to new customers from around the world in tandem with key activations UK wide, which are increasing the global reach and growing new brand advocates of The Lakes Distillery.”

Kathryn Kindness, commercial category manager at World Duty Free commented: “The Lakes Distillery products have been well received by our customers and the activations in our stores have created interest and engaging theatre. It’s great to have product innovation and newness in the category”.

Aber Falls x Booths, Tesco and Ocado

This month, north Walian distiller Aber Falls has announced a number of new listings in stores including Booths, Tesco and Ocado

It has released a new small batch Welsh gin, which launched in Booths stores across northern England. The 43% ABV gin will retail for £32 per 70cl and has notes of lavender, pine and black pepper, according to the brand.

The distiller, which is owned by Halewood International, has also secured additional listings with Ocado and Tesco, strengthening its position in the market.

Its Aber Falls Welsh Dry and Orange Marmalade gins will be rolled out across 62 Tesco stores in Wales, while its Welsh Dry, Orange Marmalade and Rhubarb & Ginger gins, together with the Salted Toffee, Coffee & Dark Chocolate and Violet Liqueurs are now on Ocado.com.

Nusa Caña Rum x Craftwork

Indonesian Nusa Caña Rum secured a new UK partnership this month with marketing and distribution agency Craftwork.

It is already available at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen in Cornwall, The Rum Kitchen in London, The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt and 31 Dover.

The brand is headquartered on the Indonesian island of Bali, and Nusa Caña hopes to use Balinese surfing associations to engage with micro-surfing communities across the UK.

Rodrigues, Nusa Caña co-founder and formerly of Beam Brands, Constellation Brands and Diageo, said: “Indonesia’s part in the story of cane spirits, and therefore rum, is both compelling and valid. We’ve forgotten that sugarcane originates in Southeast Asia and was taken from here to the Caribbean and elsewhere.

“We’ve forgotten that early explorers visiting what is now Indonesia discovered the locals drinking a distilled sugarcane spirit as far back as the 15^thcentury, before the word rum was even coined.

“To bring it back in a serious way, I assembled friends and industry experts from Australia, Asia and the UK to launch Nusa Caña, a tropical island rum with the vision to take the story of Indonesian rum and the Bali lifestyle we love to the rest of the world”.

Neil Ellis x Gonzalez Byass UK

A new partnership between Stellenbosch-based Neil Ellis Wines and distributor Gonzalez Byass UK was announced this month. The deal, which will take effect on 1 February 2019, will see the producer’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Chardonnay be available through Gonzalez Byass UK’s channels.

On deciding to move distribution to GBUK, Neil Ellis commented: “First and foremost, at their roots, they are a family company with genuine values of working in long-term partnerships for mutual success. We firmly believe that GBUK can raise the profile of Neil Ellis in the UK and introduce our wine to a wider wine drinking public. We are joining a portfolio of like-minded premium producers and know that the team at GBUK will also be great ambassadors for Neil Ellis Wines.”

Martin Skelton, managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK added: “At Cape Wine in September, I was blown away by the amazing quality and consistency across the range. For me, as best winery at the show, it is quite humbling that Neil Ellis and his family should wish to work with us in this market”.

Justerini & Brooks x Eyrie, Walter Scott Wines and Rose & Arrow Estate

UK fine wine merchant Justerini & Brooks has added several Oregon producers to its portfolio as it ups its attention on the American region.

The St James merchant has three of the state’s producers on its list now, including Eyrie, Walter Scott Wines and Rose and Arrow Estate, all of which are being offered this month.

Speaking to the drinks business, buyer Julian Campbell said it was the, “beginning of an Oregon lift for us.”

The three wines represent a good spread of Oregon’s history and winemaking scene, added Campbell.

Eyrie is one of the longstanding producers in the state and produces a range of wines including Pinot Gris.

Walter Scott is slightly newer but the husband and wife team of Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon have quickly established a reputation for producing exciting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Rose & Arrow meanwhile brings in the expertise of Louis Michel Liger-Belair – yet another Burgundian involved in Oregon winemaking – and Chilean Pedro Parra to make some truly excellent examples of single site Pinot Noir across various Oregon AVAs including Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills and Chehalem Highlands.