Former FD Brands' spirit to be distributed by Halewood

Related tags Alcoholic beverage

Halewood International has been awarded the distribution rights for Cockspur Golden Rum after the former UK suppliers, FD Brands, went into...

Halewood International has been awarded the distribution rights for Cockspur Golden Rum after the former UK suppliers, FD Brands, went into receivership last month.

The Liverpool-based company has become the third agent for the brand in less than two years after UDV handed over distribution of the rum to FD Brands back in 1999.

Brand owners Hanschell Inniss, based in Barbados, approached Halewood International after it had expressed interest in the brand two years ago.

Bob Rishworth, sales development and marketing director at Halewood International, said: "It's a premium niche product that fits in comfortably with our portfolio. Our expertise is in marketing and developing brands in niche areas of the market."

Mr Rishworth added that the company hopes to unveil its plans for Cockspur after it meets with Hanschell Inniss next month. The brand is now readily available having been briefly withdrawn from the market and will join two other rums, Admiral Benbow and Bahia Blanca, in the Halewood portfolio.

Of the other brands previously in the FD Brands stable, Savuti bottled cider and Agwa, the Dutch energy drink, have been taken on by former FD Brands director, Chris Bowen.

Mr Bowen, now managing director of Babco Alcoholic Beverages, has struck a deal with Stellenbosch Farmers Winery for the premium cider and earmarked a £400,000 marketing spend for the brand.Agwa, meanwhile, has gained listings in JD Wetherspoon, Punch and Bass Leisure outlets following a successful trial period in Brighton.

The Surrey-based company, which has secured the off-trade distribution rights to Orangeboom, has also recently developed a new range of schnapps, Mickey Finn Schnapps.

Related topics Beer Spirits & Cocktails

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