Blackwoods Gin owner changes name to Distil Plc

UK drinks group Blavod Spirits has changed its name to Distil to “better reflect the nature of our business”.

Blavod Spirits, owner of the Balckwoods Gin and Blavod Vodka brands, has changed its name to Distil Plc

The producer of Blackwoods Gin and Blavod Black Vodka officially altered its company name in May without fanfare.

Don Goulding, chairman of Distil, told The Spirits Business: “We changed the company name to better reflect the nature of our business, which is spirits and spirit-based liqueurs. Blavod Black Vodka is just one brand within our product range and we no longer distribute wine. We changed to Distil Plc recently.”

The change comes as part of a company remodelling strategy to reduce its costs that were “holding back development of its own premium brands”, and modernise its portfolio.

In August last year Distil updated the packaging for Blackwoods Gin and Blackwoods Botanical Vodka.

The group also plans on relaunching Diva Vodka – a brand it acquired in 2013 alongside the Blackwoods brands and Jago’s vodka liqueur.

In a statement released in January 2014, the group said: “Looking forward, the group is financially robust and has a good pipeline of products to begin turning into successful, profitable international brands in the coming months.”