I(14);BBI(3,6,12)&Layout=2Line;Default;Price;HisDate&XCycle=&XFormat="/>

Time is at a premium at the moment, (the cricket is on)so I will take the lazy way out on recommending this one and just copy the last brokers note, I do expect a new one out any day with todays excelent news. Heres the Broker Buy note from Evo Bee Greg.....
The group have (sic) recently announced the acquisition of Extreme Beverage Company. The merger rationale seems excellent, especially given the nature and appeal of both the Players Extreme and Blavod brands to similar markets whilst the depth of Extreme�s distribution network in the US will give Blavod the much needed platform from which to grow. The management team is headed up by CEO Jeff Hopmayer, the original founder of Extreme Beverage. He is a proven entrepreneur with a very strong track record.



The US remains the only major untapped market for Blavod but also represents the biggest scope for potential especially given that the US is the most important vodka market in the world. In addition flavoured and ultra-premium vodkas are predicted to enjoy the greatest future growth with flavoured vodka now accounting for over 5% of the total vodka market.

Our forecasts are based on relatively conservative assumptions and are primarily driven off our own estimates of case sales. For the year to March 2004 we expect the total number of cases sold to be in the region of 49,000 (this is based on a full 12-month trading period from Blavod but only includes Extreme�s trading period from the 20th January) and expect this to grow to 229,000 in 2004/05e. Gross margin of c33% is low compared to the industry average of c60% and we expect the gross margin to grow as the group realises further cost efficiencies. Our forecasts assume breakeven in 2005/06e.

Valuation is less straightforward and historically the main valuation metric has been industry exit multiples for previous transactions and case sale ratios. These give a range of between 55p and 80p a share. However, there are risks and the group is still in the early stages of growing both the Blavod and Players Extreme brands and as such our price target of 55p reflects the lower end of our range. As the strength of the brands grow and they become more of a strategic asset, this could move the valuation towards the top end of our range in line with our DCF value of 85p. This is an appealing and attractive growth story."

Year to March 31st Sales (� million) Pre-Tax Profit (�million) Earnings Per Share (p)
2004E 1.8 -1.3 -5.4
2005E 9.5 -2.9 -4.7
2006E 17.9 0.3 0.4

Nb, the company have gone some way today to getting a foothold in the US market , see todays RNS on next post.

cheers GF.

GF - can you put a chart in the header please.

one of TW's favourites!

Arrr - that might change things!

It's been a long time since anyone paid any attention to what TW tipped, but perhaps I'm just talking from a personal point of view. You can actually buy into his tips now under the "hotstockrockets" banner for about £5 each month, or at the knock down price of £49 for a years sub.

Skinny, thank you - a chart in the header would be nice! :-)

Moving up again on higher volume.

1million delayed trade just gone through from earlier this morning.

On the next leg up now after a few days of consolidation.

Looks ready to breakout perhaps?

Looks promising and with volume.

Nice breakout. Sales of Blackwoods Gin and Red Leg Rum supposedly have done well over Christmas & New Year.

hic!

Nice to see you're in good spirits halifax.:-)

Thank you for the chart in the header GF - much appreciated.

Exclusive distributor appointed for Spain
RNS
RNS Number : 6665X
Blavod Wines and Spirits PLC
15 January 2014

15 January 2014



Blavod Wines & Spirits plc

("Blavod" or the "Company")





Exclusive Distributor appointed for Spain



Blavod Wines & Spirits plc (AIM: BES), owner of premium drinks brands including Blavod Black Vodka, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka and RedLeg Spiced Rum is pleased to announce that it has signed an exclusive agreement today with The Water Company based in Madrid for the distribution of Blackwoods 60% Gin, Blackwoods 40% Gin, Blackwoods Vodka and RedLeg Spiced Rum.



The distribution agreement runs for an initial 3 year term to cover all Spanish territories, which represent the single largest gin market in Europe and the single largest rum market in the world.



Blackwoods 60% Gin, Blackwoods 40% Gin and Blackwoods Botanical Vodka will be promoted across all territories immediately and for the first time Blavod's award winning RedLeg Spiced Rum will be marketed and sold in Spain.



Spain is the single largest market in the world for rum and relatively underdeveloped for spiced rum so it is expected that RedLeg Spiced Rum will be well received as it has been in the UK and Australia.





Commenting today, Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Blavod, said:



"Spain is an extremely important territory for us and we are confident that we can increase our market share significantly in the next few years by working with The Water Company. Historically, they have achieved impressive results in promoting leading brands and increasing sales volumes and we fully expect them to achieve this with our brands."



"Blackwoods 60% and 40% Gin as well as the Blackwoods botanical flavoured Vodka already have a market following in Spain however Red Leg, which has never been distributed in Spain before is very well positioned to grow in this exciting new sector.

Trading update to be issued "shortly" --------- from another bulletin board;

petersinthemarket 28 Jan'14 - 19:39 - 777 of 789 2 0


REF: ''petersinthemarket,24 Jan'14,761,I'm a bit puzzled by BES reporting....''

It may be of interest to holders to know that I emailed a version of the above to BES and today received a most courteous reply from Don Goulding, Executive Chairman.

''I can confirm that we plan to give an update regarding Christmas trading covering the period October to December. However we do not plan on quarterly reporting simply because we are relatively small and therefore tightly resourced. I trust you understand. Our update should be issued shortly and I would welcome your feedback on the information contained therein. Kind regards..... Don''

Must say I'm very impressed with BES investor relations. Bodes well. GL all, pete

Blackwoods debuts redeveloped botanical vodka
DBR Staff Writer
Published 29 January 2014

Blackwoods, a brand owned by UK-based Blavod Wines and Spirits, has launched its redeveloped vodka - Blackwoods Botanical Vodka.

The Blackwoods Botanical Vodka has been produced by infusing botanicals including Sea Pink, Marsh Marigold, Meadow Sweet and Angelica, as part of the bonification process.

Blavod Wines and Spirits marketing manager Kate Alexander said they are really excited about the new Blackwoods Botanical Vodka, the added depth from the bonification process gives it a really interesting taste you can't find anywhere else and vodka drinkers can enjoy it neat.

"We expect this, coupled with the new packaging, to cause a rise in sales in the UK and export markets," he added.

Priced at £24.50, Blackwoods Botanical Vodka will be available in a revamped packaging across the country in February 2014.

Blavod Wines and Spirits markets and sells spirits and wines. The company offers various wines and spirits under its own brands, including Blavod Original Black Vodka, Blackwood's Vintage Gin and Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Diva Vodka, and Jago's Vodka Vanilla Cream Liqueur.

Http://spirits.drinks-business-review.com/news/blackwoods-debuts-redeveloped-botanical-vodka-290114-4167440

Trading Update

Highlights of period October 1st to December 31st 2013

• Net revenues from owned brands increase 43% compared to equivalent period last year.
• Margins from owned brands continue to increase as sales of the Group's re-packaged brands develop in UK and Internationally.
• Group overheads reduced by 44%.
• Financing costs reduced by 74%.
• Group remains on track to achieve monthly break-even by early part of financial year. (FY15E)

After December 31st 2013:

• Distribution agreement signed for Spain.
• Launch of Blackwoods Botanical Vodka.

Current Trading

The Group has continued to trade strongly and remains on track to achieve monthly break even by the early part of the financial year. Revenues and margins have continued to rise with an increasing proportion of sales derived from its owned brands including Blackwoods Gin and RedLeg Spiced Rum.

Sales of Blackwoods Vintage Gin 40% and Blackwoods Limited Edition 60% have continued to grow since the packaging was redesigned in 2013 recording consistent month on month volume sales growth.

Sales volumes of RedLeg Spiced rum continue to grow as the brand is marketed in new territories and its popularity grows. During October, November and December the RedLeg "rum shack" went on tour to a number key locations including Birmingham, Brighton and London. This proved a very popular and cost effective way of increasing visibility and awareness of the brand as well as introducing it in an engaging way to its target audiences. Further 'pop-up' Rum Shack events are planned for the first six months of 2014.

Other brands being developed by the management team for re-launch in the next few months include Diva Vodka its super premium Vodka with Swarovski crystals packaged in the bottle and Jago's a vodka vanilla cream liqueur developed by Tom Jago.

Operationally, the Group has continued to reduce costs. Overheads are down by over 40% compared to the equivalent period last year due to the restructuring earlier in the year. Financing costs are down by over 70% largely as result of the successful equity placing in October.

Looking forward, the Group is financially robust and has a good pipeline of products to begin turning into successful, profitable international brands in the coming months. In January the company signed a three year agreement with The Water Company of Spain for the distribution of Blackwoods Gin and Vodka and RedLeg Spiced Rum. This will be the first time RedLeg is available for sale in Spain which is the single largest market for Rum in the world. Blackwoods Botanical Vodka is being launched this month.

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Blavod, commented today:

"This has been a very productive few months for the Group and we have made strong progress in increasing the market share of our own brands as well as developing a number of new concepts to the point where they can be launched later this year. The growth in our margins is particularly good to see as we continue to reduce our exposure to low margin business and focus on increasing shareholder value by developing our own premium brands and marketing these in the UK as well as developing new markets around the world".

Babco Europe Limited Distribution Agreement

Blavod Wines & Spirits plc (AIM:BES), the AIM quoted owner of premium drinks brands, announces that it will no longer be distributing the Mickey Finn brand in the UK on behalf of Babco Europe Limited.

This move is in line with Blavod's business strategy to progressively end its activities distributing third party brands and focus on the development of its own premium brands which include Blavod Original Black Vodka, Blackwoods Vintage Gin, Blackwoods Vodka, Diva Vodka, Jago's Cream liqueur and RedLeg Spiced Rum

In the last financial year ended 31 March 2013, sales net of duty of the Mickey Finn brand amounted to approximately £1,439,000 representing approximately 38% of group sales net of duty, however whilst the contribution to group profits before financing costs was £162,000, a significant portion of the Group's financing costs which totalled £119,000 in the period were incurred as a result of the distribution of this agency brand.


more...

Change of Name

The Board is pleased to announce that the Group's name has been changed to Distil plc ("Distil" or the "Company").

Dealings under the new name will commence at 8.00 am on 30 April 2014. The TIDM (ticker symbol) has been changed to "DIS" for the Company's ordinary shares.

The ISIN in respect of ordinary shares remains unchanged.

The Directors believe the name Distil better represents the nature of the business which is now predominantly a distilled spirits businessand also reflects the fact that the company is now entirely focused on designing and marketing aportfolio of its own brands following the acquisition of the Blackwoods, Diva and Jago's brands last year and the launch of RedLeg Spiced Rum.

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