A popular SA gin has just been bought by the French giant Pernod Ricard

French liquor giant Pernod Ricard, the manufacturer of popular liquor brands such as Absolut Vodka, Chivas, and Jameson, has acquired a majority stake in South African distillery Inverroche.
Inverroche, founded in 2011, is based in the rural community of Still Bay in the Western Cape, where it pioneered the use of indigenous fynbos in gin production.
Founder Lorna Scott will maintain a shareholding in the business, and continue as CEO.
She said the deal is a vote of confidence in South Africa’s economic prospects.
“[Pernod Ricard’s] vast distribution network will enable Inverroche Gins to reach new consumers,” Scott said.
“We will be taking a luxury African brand to a large audience and sharing the story of our common heritage.”
The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and is expected to close shortly.
Scott started Inverroche as an attempt to protect fynbos in the Western Cape, which is under threat from agricultural development and invasive alien species. It grows nowhere else int he world.
Fynbos, which has long been used medicinal and culinary purposes, gives Inverroche its unique taste and flavour.
The company produces three gins, Gin Classic, Gin Verdant and Gin Amber, which are now sold in 18 countries on four continents. Its portfolio also includes two rums and three liqueurs.
70% of the distillery’s workforce are women from the surrounding area.
Pernod Ricard already has a strong presence in South Africa, selling and distributing more than 12 liquor brands in the country.
It also bought shares in South African e-commerce platform Jumia in 2018, after partnering with the company since 2016.
Earlier this year Pernod Ricard acquired US super-premium bourbon brand Rabbit Hole and Italian gin brand Malfy from New York-based Biggar & Leith.

An article from Business Insider South Africa by James de Villiers
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/south-african-gin-inverroche-acquired-french-liquor-giant-pernod-ricard-absolut-vodka-chivas-and-jameson-2019-7

Boyle’s Gin: Blackwater wins garden Gold

The Distillery, founded in 2012, is located on the banks of the Blackwater River in County Waterford with the company rapidly expanding through the launch of products such as Boyle’s Gin, Blackwater No 5 – a London dry gin, Woulfe’s Irish Vodka and the limited-edition Barry’s Tea-Infused Gin. In 2018, it became Ireland’s 21^st whiskey distillery.
At this year’s Bloom the Blackwater Gin garden was one of 22 show gardens nominated for the Best Medium Size Garden. The category celebrates the skill and creativity of Ireland’s garden designers, landscapers and horticulturalists.
The Blackwater Gin garden was designed by Peter Cowell and Monty Richardson and showcases how inventive up-cycling of reclaimed and salvaged materials can lead to the creation of a garden that’s both planet-friendly and lovely to look at.
Over 115,000 people attended Bord Bia’s Bloom festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
“Bloom 2019 was also a hive of activity for business,” said Bord Bia Chief Executive Tara McCarthy, “Now in its 13^th year Bloom provides Bord Bia with an invaluable opportunity to engage with the public, helping us to build insight and share new ideas while also celebrating and showcasing the best of Ireland’s horticulture, food and drink industry.
“Bloom has a strong track-record of delivering sales and new business for those exhibiting both here onsite and in the key months following the festival. Over 250 UK and Irish food buyers attended Bord Bia’s trade breakfast on Friday for face-to-face meetings with over 100 food and drink companies while we estimate in excess of €10 million was spent onsite.”
To make the annual show happen, a total of 4,000 people worked onsite over the five days including 200 Bord Bia volunteers.
It will take 14 days to clear the Bloom site.
Plans and preparations are already well underway for Bloom 2020 with many show gardens, sponsors and designers already signed-up. Bord Bia has also confirmed that Bloom 2020 will take place from Thursday May 28th to Monday June 1st 2020.

An article from Drinks Industry Ireland
https://www.drinksindustryireland.ie/blackwater-wins-garden-gold/

Gordon’s launches new pink gin

Gordon’s Gin has launched Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin in the UK on and off-trade markets.

The gin is now available in Tesco for RRSP £16.50 per 70cl bottle (37.5% ABV) and will be available in bars across the UK from August.
Annalisa Tedeschi, head of Gordon’s said: “As Britain’s favourite gin we are excited to launch this delicious new pink gin, inspired by the Spanish gin trend, which is to take the UK by storm.”
Brand owners Diageo says that Gordon’s Gin, established in 1769, is today the world’s number one best-selling gin and that its new spirit is also partly inspired by an original Gordon’s recipe from the 1880s, with redcurrant notes.

An article from Drinks International by Shay Waterworth
http://drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/7260/Gordon_s_launches_new_pink_gin.html