Chicken Cock Whiskey owner changes company name

The producer of Chicken Cock American whiskey and General Beauregard Dixie Southern Vodka has created a new subsidiary to oversee the production and distribution of its spirits brands.

Chicken Cock whiskey will now be produced and distributed by Grain and Barrel Spirits

South Carolina, US-based Island Club Brands has formed Grain and Barrel Spirits to “better reflect its focus on innovative new craft products and historically significant brands”.

To lead the new group, Island Club Brands has appointed former Diageo and E&J Gallo employee Kevin Testa as managing partner of Grain and Barrel Spirits.

Currently vice-president of business development, Testa will now oversee day-to-day operations of the new spirits arm.

Matti Anttila, founder of Grain and Barrel Spirits, said: “We believe many of the major global brands have peaked, and are now struggling to adjust to the needs of new, emerging consumers.

“We are already seeing success with Chicken Cock and Dixie, where we will now be doubling down in key markets, with focused plans for increasing distribution and sales at the ground level, where our consumers are.”

Since re-launching Chicken Cock whiskey, a 159-year-old brand, in 2013, the group has generated almost US$2 million in sales, primarily in the Southeast and Upper Midwest.

It launched General Beauregard Dixie Southern Vodka in 2014.