Leading spirits firms hit out on their own to focus on their own portfolios of spirits
LEADING premium spirits firms Edrington UK and Beam Suntory are set to end their UK distribution agreement, with effect from 31 January 2025.
Edrington will continue to distribute Beam Suntory brands across the UK until that date including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Bowmore and Laphroaig.
Aristotelis Baroutsis, regional market director for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa at Edrington UK, said: “Edrington’s strategy of focusing on ultra-premium spirits in world cities has strengthened our brands and our performance.
“The UK is our home market, and this is the right moment for us to deepen our focus on the potential for ultra-premium spirits and in particular, for our leading brand, The Macallan.”
The move will see the two firms end a partnership that first started over 25 years ago and evolve over the time period, growing into the jointly owned Edrington-Beam Suntory UK business, which was formerly known as Maxxium UK.
Beam Suntory will establish its own commercial business once the agreement finishes next year to continue its distribution across the UK, headed up by Nick Temperley, managing director for Beam Suntory UK & Ireland.
He said: “Firstly, my sincere thanks to the entire team at Edrington UK, with whom we have partnered so closely for so many years, for their outstanding work on our portfolio in the UK.
“It will be an absolute privilege to build the new Beam Suntory UK business. We have strong premium brands and we intend to create a diverse, world-class team anchored in London with capabilities in Scotland and across the country.
“We see significant potential in the UK. It is a very large and sophisticated spirits market and home to many of the world’s best retailers, bars and restaurants. We look forward to partnering with them from February next year.”
