Diageo has confirmed that it will buy Casamigos, a tequila brand co-founded by George Clooney, in a deal that values the brand at $1bn and is expected to close in the second half of 2017.
UK wholesaler and retailer Amathus Drinks has teamed up with distributor Proof Drinks for the launch of Mexican company Estancia Distillery’s agave spirit Raicilla.
Diageo CEO Paul Walsh says he was ‘somewhat disappointed’ by the breakdown of talks to acquire the Jose Cuervo tequila brand, but hints his firm may make an ‘organic entry’ into the category in 2013.
Diageo said today it had terminated discussion with Jose Cuervo relating to the future of the tequila brand, and that both parties will now work to ensure the orderly end of the current distribution agreement due to expire in June 2013.
Rudi Favila, president of mezcal wholesaler and importer Premium Mezcales, tells Ben Bouckley that Oaxacan spirit mezcal can ditch its old man image to stoke spirits across the US and beyond…