Inside Information

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulations ('UK MAR'). Upon publication of this announcement, this inside information (as defined in UK MAR) is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Mr Don Goulding, Executive Chairman.

Distil PLC

Appointment of Fortitude Drinks to manage full UK distribution

Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, and Blavod Black Vodka, is pleased to make the following announcement:

Highlights

About Fortitude

Fortitude is part of the wider Fortitude Spirits Group owned by Kliro Capital and comprises Fortitude Drinks UK (distribution), Fortitude Spirits (owned brand management), and ICB Drinks (manufacturing, bottling and canning facilities in Middlesbrough). Its business is designed to meet the diverse needs of its partners, offering everything from bespoke product development to reliable distribution solutions, ensuring each spirit not only meets but exceeds consumer expectations

Fortitude Spirits Group has particular strength in the UK off-trade, a key market for Distil, due to the depth of relationship afforded through contracts it holds to produce own-label spirits products as well as a comprehensive range of premium brands. The Group also has national reach in the UK on-trade and is actively growing this channel across its portfolio.

In addition to distribution, the new partnership with Fortitude Spirits Group offers Distil the opportunity to work more closely with the group in terms of production. ICB Drinks already bottles some of Distil's brands, and it is anticipated that the partnership will unlock cost savings in terms of production, logistics and warehousing.

ICB Drinks also recently launched a new £10 million canning line which, together with its experienced in-house development team, will enable Distil to expedite the development of new products, including ready-to-drink (RTD). 

Furthermore, Distil and Fortitude Spirits Group are exploring opportunities to work more closely together in relation to export markets. Further detail about the outcomes of these discussions will be shared as it becomes available. 

Distil and Global Brands have mutually agreed to conclude their UK distribution arrangement, with Fortitude taking responsibility for distribution from August 2026. The agreement will conclude amicably, and both parties remain open to opportunities to collaborate in the future.

Commenting on the partnership, Distil Executive Chairman, Don Goulding, said: "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work more closely with the team at Fortitude Spirits Group. Alongside its team we hope to make positive impacts on not just volumes in the UK trade, but also across other areas of the business, including production and logistics, and new product development.

We thank the Global Brands team for its commitment and support throughout the time we have worked together. We have nothing but respect for the business and its team and we wish them every success for the future."

Warren Scott, Chairman Fortitude Spirits Group, commented: "We've enjoyed working with Distil on the production of RedLeg over the last 12 months and are excited to now extend that relationship into distribution. The Distil brands are complementary to our existing portfolio, and we look forward to seeing where we can develop the brand portfolio in both the near and long term both in the UK and Internationally."

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