The number of distillery businesses in the UK has jumped 30% in just a year from 131 in 2016, to 170 in 2017, our research shows.
Entrepreneurs are looking to capitalize on the increasing consumer demand for craft spirits. Spirts of unusual and innovative flavours have grown in popularity, particularly among young consumers, has a preference to ‘buy-locally’ from smaller, urban breweries and distilleries.
Smaller, independent alcohol brands that have generated high sales growth and achieved premium pricing have become attractive M&A targets for larger companies. New entrants to the sector looking to imitate the successful exits achieved by other brands.
Many drinks giants are now increasingly willing to pay high prices to acquire independent brands with examples of recent M&A deals for distillers including:
- At the beginning of 2018, the Spanish group Diego Zamora acquired a 45% stake in Reformed Spirits Company Ltd, owner of Martin Miller’s Gin.
- Earlier this year, the Liverpool-based company Halewood Wine & Spirits acquired the Cornish spiced rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers.
- In September 2017 the drinks wholesaler BI Wines & Spirits acquired a 25% stake in Westmorland Spirits, the producer of Gilpin’s Gin.
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Following the rise of niche, urban gins, there has been a similar surge in popularity for craft rum. Rum sales in the UK hit £1billion in 2017, up from £960million in 2016*, giving rise to claims that we are on the cusp of a ‘Rumnaissance’.
Consumer demand for craft rum has led to a growth in the number of UK rum brands, such as the English Spirit Distillery’s Old Salt Rum, and Spirit Masters’ Glorious Revolution White Rum.
James Simmonds, Head of Drinks and partner in our Nottingham office, says: “The UK spirits industry is currently in growth mode and shows no signs of slowing, as illustrated by the increase in new distillery businesses”.
“As the public demand for artisan drinks and craft drinks continues, many pubs that previously stocked only one brand of each spirit are now giving customers a variety to choose from”.
“Craft spirits are considered a luxury item that many customers are now willing to pay a premium for. This allows boutique brands to sell at higher margins and generate large returns”.
“The growth of the UK spirits industry looks to continue into 2018 as consumer demand for premium-priced spirits, an increase in M&A activity, and the rising number of distillery businesses show no signs of slowing.”
*(August 2017) Wine and Spirit Trade Association
Number of distillery businesses in the UK
