Blavod calls time on Bruichladdich distribution deal

Drinks firm Blavod today announced that it is to stop distributing Bruichladdich whisky in the UK at the start of next month.

The decision comes days after the Aim-quoted company bought fast-growing Scottish gin and vodka brand Blackwood’s, and is part of its strategy of ending the distribution of third-party brands to focus on its own portfolio of products, which include its eponymous black vodka.

Blavod said it generated sales of about £1 million through Bruichladdich brands in the year to 31 March, representing about 27 per cent of its total group sales net of duty.

Executive chairman Don Goulding said: “This development is very much in line with us moving away from being a third-party distributor and instead focusing all our efforts on the development of our own brands and the newly-developed ones such as RedLeg Spiced Rum, which has proved so successful in the UK and overseas.

“This operational model is far more efficient in terms of the number of people needed within our team and so capable of generating much higher returns for shareholders.”

Islay-based Bruichladdich was bought by French drinks giant Remy Cointreau for £58m in July 2012, in what is believed to be the highest price ever paid for a distillery.