Company Descriptions

Distil's primary activities are the development, marketing and selling of a portfolio of proprietary alcoholic spirit brands. The company is in essence a brand incubator within the global spirits industry. Distil markets and sell its brands in a number of international markets including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and several European markets. Its leading brands are RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin, both of which comprise several product variants. Other group brands include Blackwoods Vodka and Blavod Black Vodka, the latter made under licence in Europe. The latest portfolio addition is a range of vodkas distilled with real fruits and botanicals, with a lower ABV (alcohol by volume) strength of 30%, under the TRØVE brand. Distil has invested in the Ardgowan whisky distillery site in Scotland. In addition to adding a whisky product to Distil’s portfolio, the site will also house a Blackwoods Gin distillery and visitor centre.

Investment Summary

Distil's strategy is focused on the high value-added development and incubation of its premium owned brands, with the manufacture of its liquids primarily outsourced to third-party producers. These brands are marketed domestically and internationally, with a view to attracting commercial interest from larger industry players. Distil delivers growth through two principal routes, namely increasing the distribution of existing products (through both on-trade and off-trade channels) and new product development (NPD). Distil's NPD activities take several forms: the creation of a new spirit/brand; the introduction of new flavour variants within a brand; new packaging/formulations.