News release
London – 8 July 2014
International drinks group, Quintessential Brands, has today announced the acquisition of Marblehead, the UK-based brand development and distribution company. Marblehead and Quintessential Brands have operated as partners since July 2013. The acquisition ensures Marblehead’s continued success as an agency with a portfolio of premium brands, distributed via its well-established network in the on-trade and prestige off-trade.
Marblehead’s recent portfolio additions include Ypióca Cachaça, owned by Diageo, Don Papa Rum and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur. In addition, the Quintessential Brands-owned gin portfolio, which includes Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin, Berkeley Square London Dry Gin and BLOOM Gin which is distributed by Marblehead in the off-trade, has created significant growth in the last twelve months for Marblehead, as well as for the gin category as a whole. Marblehead will continue to retain its mantel as the UK’s No 1 leading brand development agency working with independent brands and their owners including John Cooper and The Bleeding Heart Rum Company’s Stephen Carroll, amongst others.
Ricky Agnew, Chairman of Marblehead, comments, “We are delighted that the future of the company which I established over 37 years ago is assured. I look forward to seeing the continued success of the company as part of the Quintessential Brands Group. I feel sure that I am leaving Marblehead in good hands and will continue to watch it grow. Going forward, I will be working on my Butterfly Brands spirits portfolio, which includes Skipper Rum and Davna Polish vodka.”
Quintessential Brands co-founder, Warren Scott says: “Quintessential Brands’ acquisition assures Marblehead of an exciting future and brings a highly respected brand development agency into our group of companies. Marblehead’s acquisition is part of our strategy to become one of the leading European independent players in the spirits industry.” He adds: “We are grateful to Ricky for all he has done to build Marblehead into the company it is today and Quintessential Brands looks forward to being involved in its continued growth.”
Emma Wykes will continue as Managing Director of Marblehead, supported by General Sales Manager, Elliott Clark and their team based throughout the UK. The Marblehead team has expanded with the appointment of three new specialists, all with drinks industry experience. Tom Gamborg has joined as Marketing Manager and has agency facing experience with the Diageo Reserve Brands portfolio in South Africa and more recently successfully launched Black Cow in the UK. Kathryn Birch has wide experience in brand education and mixology and Adam Wright joins with recent experience working at Thwaites and Coca Cola. Both have joined the London Sales Team as Brand Specialists, looking after sales to the on and off trade.
Marblehead is the distribution and brand development agency, founded by Ricky Agnew, which has been instrumental in launching and growing brands in the UK including Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Absolut Vodka, Maker’s Mark, Wyborowka Vodka and Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka.
The Quintessential Brands portfolio includes Greenall’s The Original London Dry Gin, BLOOM Gin, Berkeley Square London Dry Gin, and Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin which are all produced by G&J Distillers, as well as Toussaint Coffee Rum Liqueur. The recently acquired First Ireland Spirits company produces The Dubliner Irish Whiskey Liqueur, O’Mara’s Irish Country Cream and Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur.
Quintessential Brands was founded by Enzo Visone and Warren Scott and the group includes the companies G&J Distillers, the distilling and bottling division, Essential Drinks, the business to business supply division, First Ireland Spirits and Marblehead Brand Development.
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ABOUT QUINTESSENTIAL BRANDS
Quintessential Brands owns an award-winning portfolio of world-class spirit brands, which is powered by a strong entrepreneurial vision and passion for innovation, backed by centuries of handcrafted distilling expertise.
Quintessential Brands Group was established in 2011 with the acquisition of G&J Distillers, the UK’s foremost gin distillery, which evolved from Thomas Dakin’s original 1761 operation and now produces an unrivalled quality gin selection. In Ireland, Dublin Liberties Distillery is our home of modern Irish whiskeys and First Ireland Spirits in Abbeyleix crafts award-winning Irish creams. Our French hub, L&L France, creates fine French fruit liqueurs, cognacs, brandies and vodka.
For more information, please contact the communications team at Quintessential Brands by e-mail: [email protected]
