Distil PLC

Announcement of U.S. distribution partnership

Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, and Blavod Black Vodka, is pleased to announce that it has agreed a new partnership with a U.S. distributor to bring Blavod Black Vodka back into the U.S. market.

The partnership with AIKO Importers, Inc. - a nationally recognised importer and brand builder of premium wine and spirits - marks a significant step in the North American relaunch of Blavod. Leveraging AIKO's extensive distribution network of 185 partners across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as strong retail relationships with major accounts like Costco, Total Wine, and Spec's, Blavod will benefit from immediate national reach.

Vodka represents the biggest spirit category in the U.S. by volume, one of the biggest spirits markets globally based on 2024 figures from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman, Distil, commented: "We're delighted to announce the new partnership with AIKO Importers. 

Unlocking distribution for Blavod in the U.S. marks an important moment and growth opportunity for the brand which has enjoyed success in this market in the past, until the previous distributor pulled back during Covid lockdowns. 

Since then, we've been inundated with requests for the product from customers and consumers, demonstrating strong awareness and demand, and have been working hard to find the right partner to reestablish the brand in market.

Shipments are planned to commence by the end of June this year. From a planning point of view, we are assuming tariffs will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Current levels are manageable, with a benefit across the supply chain should they be lifted.

We believe this to be good time to drive forward, and we're excited to working closely with the Aiko team to build back this distribution."

Feliks Shekhtman, Managing Partner of AIKO Importers, Inc., commented: "We're thrilled to welcome Blavod into the AIKO portfolio. It aligns directly with our mission to deliver high-quality, culturally relevant products that resonate with today's consumers. At AIKO, we pride ourselves on identifying brands with strong potential and helping them scale through our national infrastructure, deep market knowledge, and strong retail partnerships. We've seen tremendous success with brands like Clap Back Wine and Doc Holliday Bourbon, and we're looking forward to the growth and success we can achieve with Blavod."

About Blavod

Blavod original black vodka is a dramatic and stylish vodka with a clean taste. For almost two decades the unique black vodka has been made to the original recipe using only natural ingredients. Black catechu, extracted from the acacia tree found in south-east Asia is subtly infused into triple distilled grain vodka to produce an elegantly black, smooth and clean tasting premium vodka.

About AIKO

AIKO Importers is a nationally recognised importer of premium alcoholic beverages with a proven track record of scaling standout brands like Doc Holliday Bourbon, Clap Back Wine, and HanJan. With a distribution network spanning all 50 states and Canada, AIKO delivers nationwide reach through 185 distributor partners and strong retail relationships with major players including Costco, Total Wine, and Spec's. Backed by decades of market expertise and a dedicated sales force, AIKO is known for bringing quality, culturally relevant brands to shelves across North America.

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