Camus recruits Whyte & Mackay as UK distributor

Emperador’s recently acquired Scotch whisky business Whyte & Mackay has signed a deal with Cognac house Camus to distribute the French firm’s portfolio in the UK.

Whyte & Mackay has added Camus’ Cognac and gin brands to its UK distribution portfolio

Whyte & Mackay will handle Camus’s Elegance range, Ile de Ré range, Borderies range, Rarissimes vintages and The Masterpiece Collection, as well as the group’s Ungava Gin – said to be the only Canadian gin available in the UK market.

“We have been looking for some time to find the right distributor for us in the UK – one of the original export markets of Camus and after all the fifth most important market for Cognac in the world.

“This, added to the chance of introducing Ungava into the country that is the traditional bastion of gin, is really exciting and we have all hopes to succeed.

“We are delighted to partner with Whyte & Mackay – they are passionate about all they do, they have set up strong routes to market and have a long track record of building brands.”

Ungava Gin is made using “rare” ingredients from the tundra region in North Canada, including Nordic juniper, Arctic blend, labrador tea, crowberry, cloudberry and wild rose hip.

In July this year, Camus launched what it claimed was the only Borderie vintage on the market – Camus Rarissimes Borderies 2004.

Last year, Diageo’s Indian drinks arm United Spirits sold Whyte & Mackay, maker of The Dalmore and Jura Scotch whisky brands, to Philippines-based brandy producer Emperador.