Top Shelf and Gravity Drinks form merger
By Nicola CarruthersAustralian spirits producer Top Shelf International and ready-to-drink (RTD) brand Gravity have joined forces to create a new company called Blue Sky Drinks Co.

Top Shelf International (TSI), which produces Australian agave spirit Act of Treason, entered voluntary administration in August this year. The company has now been saved after joining forces with fellow Australian producer Gravity Drinks Co.
In addition to Act of Treason, the TSI portfolio includes Australian whisky Ned, whisky-based liqueur Golden Bickie and Grainshaker vodka.
Mick Spencer, Liam Battye and a group of professional athletes founded RTD company Gravity Drinks Co in 2022.
Following the deal, Spencer will become executive chair of Blue Sky and Battye will take on the role of head of operations.
“This is day one of something big,” said Spencer. “I’m incredibly proud of what Gravity has achieved in just three years, and even more excited for what’s ahead.
“By combining Gravity with some of Australia’s strongest spirits and RTD brands, we’re building a new kind of drinks company – one that’s proudly Australian-owned, Australian-made, and built for a future under a blue sky.
“We have stronger backing, bigger ambitions, and a renewed focus on what matters most: our customers, our suppliers, and keeping the energy alive behind these incredible brands.”
Gravity CEO Greg Mitchell will become chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Blue Sky, while Gravity’s former sales director, David Ward, has been appointed general manager of sales and marketing.
Also joining the Blue Sky board as a non-executive director is Ray Noble, a 30-year drinks industry veteran who previously served as managing director of Sazerac Australia. He also held senior leadership roles at Beam Suntory (now known as Suntory Global Spirits).
Noble added: “This is a fantastic result for the Aussie drinks industry. The Blue Sky lineup of Ned, Grainshaker, Act of Treason, Golden Bickie and Gravity all blend local craftsmanship with fresh, modern energy ready to be unlocked.
“The new team has the know-how, passion and entrepreneurial spirit to take these brands to the next level, and I’m stoked to be part of that journey.”
The combined business will continue production in partnership with IDL Australia, and will maintain national distribution in 5,000-plus independent liquor retailers, key on-premise partners and Endeavour Group and Coles Liquor.
The transaction is expected to be finalised within the next four weeks.
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