Distil is the new name for Blavod - Old thread here




Based in London, Blavod Wines & Spirits plc is the owner of Blavod Original Black Vodka, Blackwood's Vintage Gin, Blackwood's Limited Edition Vintage Gin, Blackwood's Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Diva Vodka and Jago's Vanilla Cream Liqueur. The Company markets and sells its brands in a number of international markets including the UK, USA, Germany, Spain, Australia and Russia.

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Trading Update

Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands Blavod Black Vodka, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva provides the following trading update:

At the annual general meeting in July this year, we announced that we had agreed terms with two US distributors for Blavod Vodka, Blackwoods Gin and Blackwoods Vodka, subject to approval from the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). At that time, we expected this approval to be granted by August 2014 having submitted our requests in December and March. Regrettably, we have no control over the speed of this application process and to date have not received approval, nor a clear indication of when it may be forthcoming. We do not foresee any refusal however we were planning to have these permissions in time to have shipments in market and distribution established prior to the peak trading period. As a result of the delay, it is now clear that the Company will not meet its projected levels of sales for this year, and consequently we have been unable to achieve the monthly break-even position anticipated by now. We therefore anticipate that, notwithstanding we are only nearly half way through the financial year, the full year results will be significantly below current market expectations.

We will report further once the expected approvals are granted.

We are pleased to report however, that RedLeg natural flavouring has now been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that the necessary approvals for it to be sold in the US are now being sought from the TTB.

Outside of the US, where the majority of our trading takes place, sales volumes have continued to grow, Blackwoods Gin by 22% year to year and RedLeg Rum by 48%, and Blackwoods Vodka newly launched.

Jago's, our premium vodka based Vanilla Cream Liqueur, has been redesigned and is being re-launched. The new pack and improved liquid have been well received. As we build its distribution base we are marketing directly to our target market through sampling and consumer events.

Plans for the launch of Diva, our super premium wheat based vodka which contains a wand of Swarovski elements are well advanced and we expect sales will start in the next quarter.

We remain entirely focused on building our brands and broadening our distribution base which is critical in this market and have recently appointed distributors for RedLeg in Russia and Canada and for Blackwoods in Portugal Germany, France and Italy as per our planned expansion.

The interims results for the half year to 30 September are scheduled for release in early November.

New Listings for Distil Brands in run up to Christmas

Up 150% on the day - I only need another 20% to break even!

bought in a few weeks ago..waiting USA listings/deals etc

Blackwoods Gin approved by TTB


Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands, is pleased to announce that Blackwoods Gin, one of its leading brands has, been approved by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for sale and distribution in the United States, the single largest market for UK produced gin in the world.

Following this approval, as part of the two part process, Distil has now submitted to the TTB proposed labeling for the bottles which also require approval, a process that normally takes approximately eight weeks.

Distil has already in place an agreement for the distribution of Blackwoods, details of this agreement will follow in due course.

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil PLC, said:

" This is great news and we now wait for the labeling to be approved which hopefully is a formality and then will start to ship the Gin over to the States for distribution in 2015. Blackwoods is an excellent brand, which has done very well in the UK and Europe since we re-designed its packaging and formulation. We are confident that it will also be well received in the US, where we hope to generate significant sales volumes."

BREWIN NOMINEES > 3%

Half Yearly Report

Operational review:

• US Distributor appointed in anticipation of TTB (US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) approval for Blackwoods gin, Blackwoods vodka and RedLeg spiced rum.
• US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for the natural flavourings for RedLeg Spiced rum allowing the subsequent admission to TTB for approval.
• Appointment of replacement distributor in US for Blavod Black vodka.
• Appointment of distributors for RedLeg in Russia and Canada and for Blackwoods in Portugal Germany, France and Italy.
• Increased investment in promotional support for Blackwoods gin, vodka and RedLeg rum.
• Ukraine and Russia Duty Free reduction in imports year-on-year.
• Termination of remaining third party brand distribution agreements. Group now
entirely focused on owned brands.



Financial Review - versus same period last year

• Gross profit from owned brands increased by 8%
• Decline in Blavod vodka volumes as Eastern Europe and Ukraine reduce imports.
• Margins on owned brands rise from 39% to 55% for the same period, year-on-year.
• Turnover falls as the Group moves from 3rd party brand distribution in the UK and transfers owned brands to a distributor. This is reflected in the associated reduction in staff costs.
• Financing costs reduced to £3k (down 83%) following withdrawal from invoice
factoring.
• Total administrative expenses reduced by 33% of which Staff costs are down 41%

Blackwoods US Approval & Distributor Agreement

Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands, is pleased to announce that following the statement made on 27 November 2014 Blackwoods Small Batch Gin has now been fully approved by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for sale in the United States of America, the largest single market for UK produced gin in the world.

Production and shipping of the first cases of Blackwoods Small Batch gin is expected to start in the next few weeks.

more...

Distil (AIM: DIS) – Blackwoods Small Batch Gin fully approved for sale in the US - see more at http://tinyurl.com/payovhq

Director Changes

Christmas Trading and TTB Approval

Healthy Christmas Trading. Blavod Black Vodka and
Blackwoods Limited Edition 60% Gin
Approved by TTB


Distil plc ("the Group" or "Distil") (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands, is pleased to announce that Blavod Black Vodka has been approved for sale in the USA by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ("TTB").

The brand has been re-designed and features new packaging, new label design and an improved recipe. It will be distributed by Kanetz Alcohol Imports Co. a specialist drinks distributor based in Ohio, with a network covering the USA, Mexico, Jamaica and Canada.

At the same time, Distil has received initial TTB approval for its premium brand, Blackwoods Limited Edition 60% Gin and has submitted the proposed labelling as part of the two-stage process with full approval expected to take a further five weeks. Once fully approved, Blackwoods Limited Edition 60% Gin will be distributed by The Winebow Group throughout the USA, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The Group is also pleased to report that it achieved good levels of sales for its owned premium brands during the Christmas period with increased revenues and a number of new listings with major customers. Overall, revenues for owned brands increased by approximately 12% and net contributions doubled. This was achieved despite a reduction in the sales of Blavod Black Vodka in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine as a result of the current situation there.

Final Results

"Key brands enter USA market and growth in UK multiple retailers"

Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands including Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blavod Black Vodka, Diva Vodka and Jago's Vanilla Cream Liqueur,announces its final results for the year ended 31 March 2015.

Operational review

• TTB full approval received for Blackwoods Small Batch gin and Blackwoods Limited Edition Gin.
• Appointment of distributors for key brands in the US for Blackwoods, Red Leg and Blavod Black Vodka.
• Appointment of Finance Director.
• International and domestic sales volumes growing strongly.
• Jago's and Diva ready to be re-launched.


Financial review

· Turnover falls to £666k from £2,405k as the Group moves from 3rd Party brand distribution in the
UK to focus solely on domestic and international sales of its owned brands
· Gross profit from owned brands increased 20% from £338k to £406k
· Margins on owned brands rise from 46% to 61% for the same period, year-on-year.
· Total administrative expenses reduced by 21%
· Operating loss reduced by 22% from £367k to £286k
· Cash reserves of £511k at 31 March 2015.


Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil, said:

"We have now completed the transition from being a third party brand distributor to a brand owning, brand focused business. Despite delays in the early part of the year we made solid progress in the second half with developments in the USA and continued growth in the UK. New listings for our brands in many leading bars and pubs together with one of the biggest UK multiple retailers have increased consumer awareness and trial of our products. I'm delighted to report that this level of improvement in our trading has continued into the new financial year and we are therefore optimistic looking forward."

The Red Leg Spiced Rum is my favourite.

AGM Statement

Trading Statement

Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva vodka, is pleased to report higher levels of sales over the important Christmas period.
Year-on-year quarter three (Oct-Dec 2015) revenues climbed by 71% whilst volumes rose by 31%, supported by a 96% increase in brand marketing. The higher percentage growth in revenues over volume was a result of the shift in product sales mix during the period away from licensed sales, primarily in Eastern Europe, toward own sales compared to the prior year.
The strong overall volume and sales performance was achieved despite a reduction in the sales of Blavod Black Vodka in Eastern Europe where volumes have continued to slow down especially in the Duty Free market and Ukraine. In contrast, following its re-entry into the USA market, the brand performed well with repeat orders at consumer and trade level.
Meanwhile, RedLeg spiced rum enjoyed strong consumer off-take both in bars and retail, particularly in the UK and Australia, over the period. We were particularly satisfied with the brand being listed by two of the UK's largest supermarket multiples and are encouraged by the consumer response to date.
The gin market remains buoyant with both Blackwoods Vintage and Blackwoods Limited Edition enjoying double-digit growth in both volumes and revenues. In the US our Blackwoods Small Batch Gin distributor is steadily increasing trial and building On Trade distribution.
Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil, said:
"Our brands continue to gain consumer following in major markets and we are delighted with the performance from new listings.
Despite highly compétitive market conditions over Christmas our brands grew in volume and revenue. We continued to increase our brand marketing investment to build consumer awareness and trial in support of wider availability to the consumer.
TTB approval for RedLeg in the USA is awaited and we will ramp up our efforts to accelerate this process. We continue to make distribution gains in both the On-Trade and the Off-Trade and will continue to invest in marketing for the long term.
We are confident for the fourth quarter of the financial year and expect full year performance to be in line with the Board's expectations. Our plan remains focused on shareholder value creation through the development and success of our brands and we intend to build on the momentum achieved last year."

Proposed Placing of 62,625,981 Placing Shares at 1 pence per share

RedLeg Spiced Rum Approved by TTB

Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva vodka, is pleased to announce that RedLeg Spiced Rum has been approved for sale in the USA by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ("TTB").

Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil, said:

"In addition to the TTB approval for Blavod Black Vodka and Blackwoods Gin announced in 2015, TTB approval for RedLeg Spiced Rum will further enhance the Company's presence and future sales opportunities in the USA.

We look forward to expanding our US operations through the introduction to the US market of what has been the Company's most prominent brand in recent times"

12+ month high.

Red Legged Spıced Rum ıs my Favourıte.

Final Results

"Strong growth in brand volumes and revenues across key markets"

Distil (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands including Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blavod Black Vodka, Diva Vodka and Jago's Vanilla Cream Liqueur, announces its final results for the year ended 31 March 2016.

Operational review

· RedLeg Spiced Rum listed in 2 major UK supermarket chains
· Commenced shipments of Blavod Black Vodka to the USA, where we had been absent for several years
· International and domestic sales volumes growing strongly


Financial review

· Turnover, supported by increased marketing investment, increases to £1,169k from £666k
· Gross profit increased 68% from £406k to £681k
· Margins reduced from 61% to 58% for the same period, year-on-year
· Other administrative expenses reduced by 17%
· Operating loss reduced by 66% from £286k to £97k
· Cash reserves of £982k at 31 March 2016


Don Goulding, Executive Chairman of Distil, said:

"We are pleased to report strong growth year-on-year on the back of increased investment in our brands. The overall business has been transformed and simplified over the past three years and we are benefiting from focus on each of our brands. The recent TTB approval of RedLeg Spiced Rum will further enhance our presence in the important USA market and, with planned further marketing investment across all our brands, we look forward to building on the significant progress made to date."