Edrington UK and Beam Suntory part ways

The distribution agreement between Edrington UK and Beam Suntory will end on 31 January 2025, with the latter setting up its own commercial business in the UK market.

The companies have been involved for more than 25 years and set up a joint UK distribution agreement called Maxxium (which rebranded as Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution in 2018) – which was the third-largest spirits business in the UK.

Now, however, the two will focus on their own portfolios with the agreement ending from 31 January 2025.

Beam Suntory will establish its own commercial business for the UK market in February 2025, led by Nick Temperley, managing director of UK and Ireland.

Aristotelis Baroutsis, Edrington’s regional managing director for EMEIA, said: “Edrington’s strategy of focusing on ultra-premium spirits in world cities has strengthened our brands and our performance.

“The UK is our home market, and this is the right moment for us to deepen our focus on the potential for ultra-premium spirits and, in particular, for our leading brand, The Macallan.”

Beam Suntory’s brand portfolio includes Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Larios and DYC, while Edrington’s includes The Macallan, Highland Park and Brugal rum.

During the partnership, both portfolios saw ‘sustained growth’.

Edrington hit £1 billion (US$1.26bn) in core revenue for the first time during the year ending 31 March 2023, led by The Macallan.

Beam Suntory, meanwhile, saw net sales grow by 7% in 2023 – driven by its premium Bourbons and Japanese whiskies.

Temperley said: “Firstly, my sincere thanks to the entire team at Edrington UK, with whom we have partnered so closely for so many years, for their outstanding work on our portfolio in the UK.

“It will be an absolute privilege to build the new Beam Suntory UK business. We have strong premium brands and we intend to create a diverse, world-class team anchored in London with capabilities in Scotland and across the country.

“We see significant potential in the UK. It is a very large and sophisticated spirits market and home to many of the world’s best retailers, bars and restaurants. We look forward to partnering with them from February next year.”

Edrington UK managing director Mark Riley added: “I am excited at the opportunity to shape our UK business focused exclusively on opportunities for Edrington’s ultra-premium and leading spirits.

“The Edrington UK team has delivered strong results for Beam Suntory’s portfolio and we are proud to represent these excellent brands in the UK until next February.”

In 2023, Beam Suntory created a subsidiary business in France.