REG - Distil PLC - Announcement of U.S. distribution partnership

DistilAnnouncement

14/04/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 7941E  Distil PLC  14 April 2025

Distil PLC

 

Announcement of U.S. distribution partnership

 

Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced
Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, and Blavod Black Vodka, is pleased to announce
that it has agreed a new partnership with a U.S. distributor to bring Blavod
Black Vodka back into the U.S. market.

 

The partnership with AIKO Importers, Inc. - a nationally recognised importer
and brand builder of premium wine and spirits - marks a significant step in
the North American relaunch of Blavod. Leveraging AIKO's extensive
distribution network of 185 partners across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico,
as well as strong retail relationships with major accounts like Costco, Total
Wine, and Spec's, Blavod will benefit from immediate national reach.

 

Vodka represents the biggest spirit category in the U.S. by volume, one of the
biggest spirits markets globally based on 2024 figures from IWSR Drinks Market
Analysis.

 

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman, Distil, commented: "We're delighted to
announce the new partnership with AIKO Importers.

 

Unlocking distribution for Blavod in the U.S. marks an important moment and
growth opportunity for the brand which has enjoyed success in this market in
the past, until the previous distributor pulled back during Covid lockdowns.

 

Since then, we've been inundated with requests for the product from customers
and consumers, demonstrating strong awareness and demand, and have been
working hard to find the right partner to reestablish the brand in market.

 

Shipments are planned to commence by the end of June this year. From a
planning point of view, we are assuming tariffs will remain in place for the
foreseeable future. Current levels are manageable, with a benefit across the
supply chain should they be lifted.

 

We believe this to be good time to drive forward, and we're excited to working
closely with the Aiko team to build back this distribution."

 

Feliks Shekhtman, Managing Partner of AIKO Importers, Inc., commented: "We're
thrilled to welcome Blavod into the AIKO portfolio. It aligns directly with
our mission to deliver high-quality, culturally relevant products that
resonate with today's consumers. At AIKO, we pride ourselves on identifying
brands with strong potential and helping them scale through our national
infrastructure, deep market knowledge, and strong retail partnerships. We've
seen tremendous success with brands like Clap Back Wine and Doc Holliday
Bourbon, and we're looking forward to the growth and success we can achieve
with Blavod."

 

About Blavod

Blavod original black vodka is a dramatic and stylish vodka with a clean
taste. For almost two decades the unique black vodka has been made to the
original recipe using only natural ingredients. Black catechu, extracted from
the acacia tree found in south-east Asia is subtly infused into triple
distilled grain vodka to produce an elegantly black, smooth and clean tasting
premium vodka.

 

 

About AIKO

AIKO Importers is a nationally recognised importer of premium alcoholic
beverages with a proven track record of scaling standout brands like Doc
Holliday Bourbon, Clap Back Wine, and HanJan. With a distribution network
spanning all 50 states and Canada, AIKO delivers nationwide reach through 185
distributor partners and strong retail relationships with major players
including Costco, Total Wine, and Spec's. Backed by decades of market
expertise and a dedicated sales force, AIKO is known for bringing quality,
culturally relevant brands to shelves across North America.

 

 Distil PLC
 Don Goulding, Executive Chairman  Tel: +44 203 405 0475 (tel:+442034050475)
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited

 (NOMAD)
 Neil Baldwin                      Tel: +44 203 368 3550 (tel:+442033683550)

 Mark Brady
 Allenby Capital Ltd

 (Broker)
 James Reeve / Piers Shimwell      Tel: +44 203 328 5656 (tel:+442033285656)

 Jos Pinnington / Guy McDougall

 

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