Bacardi buys minority stake in Ilegal Mezcal
Summary
The brand, said to be “one of the leading artisanal mezcals” in the US, will be distributed nationally by Southern Glazer’s and will sit under the firm’s Transatlantic Spirits unit. Southern Glazer’s – formed following the merger of Southern Wine & Spirits of America and Glazer’s Inc – created Transatlantic Spirits in 2016 to handle Bacardi’s portfolio of brands in the US, and also support the sales teams of Heaven Hill and Patrón. “This distribution partnership with Southern Glazer’s is important for all who have helped create Ilegal, from the small family distillers we work with in Oaxaca, Mexico, to guys like me on the street teaching people about mezcal. No way that is stopping.” Bacardi became the first global spirits company to have a complete mezcal portfolio in Mexico after it became the distributor for Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto in 2013. Local reports from India this week claimed that Bacardi’s Indian unit was negotiating purchasing a stake in Radico Khaitan, producer of Contessa Rum and Magic Moments Vodka.