Pernod Ricard takes majority stake in Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, the top selling mezcal brand in the US, was founded in 1995 by artist and entrepreneur Ron Cooper. It features a range of super-premium mezcals from the Oaxaca region of Mexico. Created from a traditional process from Zapotec culture, the ‘Single Village’ name identifies every Del Maguey product by the village in which it is made.
The management and staff at Del Maguey will remain the same, as will all its operations in Mexico.
Cooper said the company had partnered with Pernod Ricard to increase the opportunities to distribute its products around the world while ensuring that the families it works with are able to continue production for years to come.
Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said the wine and spirits giant was attracted to Del Maguey’s track record and quality mezcals. “This partnership illustrates our continued strategy of partnering with dynamic entrepreneurs who share our passion for authentic, high-quality crafted premium products and further extends our fantastic portfolio of genuine brands,” he said.
The transaction, through Pernod Ricard USA’s New Brand Ventures division, is subject to usual condition precedents and is expected to close within 90 days.
Whereas tequila is made from 100% blue agave, mezcal is a spirit made from any agave plant. Global sales of mezcal rose to a record $80m in 2015. In the US, volumes grew 279% from 2005-2015, according to International Wine & Spirits Research.
Pernod Ricard’s global brands include Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Jacob’s Creek.
