Takamaka names new UK distributor

Drinks agency Speciality Brands will take over the UK distribution of Seychelles-based Takamaka rum from Highball Brands next month.

Speciality Brands will also be exclusively responsible for Takamaka’s UK commercial and marketing activities, starting March 2024.

Chris Seale, managing director of Speciality Brands, said: “The breadth of our rum portfolio is unique in the UK and we are thrilled to be strengthening it with the addition of Takamaka. We are extremely passionate about high-quality spirits with compelling stories.

“Takamaka’s fresh approach to rum presents an exciting new challenge for our team. We can’t wait to get stuck in and spread the word about Seychelles rum in the UK.”

Speciality Brands also distributes other rums – such as Hampden Estate, Black Tot, Clairin and Renegade – in the UK.

Highball Brands has distributed Takamaka in the UK for the past six years.

Founder of Highball Brands, Fabrice Limon, said: “Launching the brand here in the UK and growing it into one of the most recognised brands, loved and used up and down the country and in some of the UK’s and world’s best bars, we couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved.

“It’s been a genuine pleasure working with the brothers Ben and Richard D’Offay and I personally wish them all the success and happiness.”

Highball Brands took Takamaka’s range of blended rums to the UK in May 2022. The St André Series includes: Extra Noir, Grankaz, Pti Lakaz and Zepis Kreol.

Bernard d’Offay, co-founder and export director of Takamaka, added: “We are incredibly excited about this next stage in our development and we can’t thank Highball enough for everything they have done in terms of building the brand.

“Fabrice and the team have allowed us to achieve great presence at some of the UK’s greatest bars and restaurants and we wish them every future success.

“As we join Speciality Brands, their category expertise, market reach and the scale of opportunities they present to Takamaka will be key in the next step of our journey. We’re looking forward to driving Seychelles rum and achieving our full potential in the UK with their knowledgeable and passionate team.”

Takamaka was founded in 2002 and is the the first molasses-based distillery in the Seychelles – last year, it surpassed one million in bottle sales.

Last month, Takamaka also switched distributors in Germany, naming Kirsch Import as its new distributor. The brand is now available in more than 50 markets across three continents as part of the brand’s global expansion plan.

At The Spirits Business‘s Luxury Masters 2023 blind-tasting competition, Takamaka took home a Gold medal for its Pti Lakaz expression.

Its setting in Seychelles is one of the world’s top destination distilleries to visit.