Pernod Ricard Collaborates with Lafayette Imports to Strengthen Brand-building capabilities

Pernod Ricard announces a collaboration with Lafayette Imports, a new company founded by Biggar & Leith partners Elwyn Gladstone and Mark Teasdale. The new venture will bring unique brand-building capabilities to certain super-premium brands in the Group's portfolio.

Lafayette Imports will take on Pernod Ricard's Plymouth Gin, Powers Irish Whiskey and a range of craft Irish Whiskey brands including Knappogue Castle Single Malts and Clontarf. These brands will be combined with Biggar & Leith's spirits portfolio of Spytail Rum, Hotel Starlino Vermouth, Stambecco Amaro, The Gladstone Axe Malt Scotch, Shanky's Whip and The Butterfly Cannon Tequila to create a dynamic portfolio of noteworthy imports in fast growing and dynamic categories.

Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said: 'Plymouth, Powers, Knappogue Castle and Clontarf have strong potential in growing categories. As we strive to constantly strengthen our brand-building, this dedicated and fit for purpose approach allows these brands to have renewed development and to meet new consumers. The Gin Hub and Irish Distillers global brand companies will work closely with Lafayette Imports to support this innovative approach.'

For Lafayette Imports, Mark Teasdale commented: 'The Spirits market is driven by innovation and premium high-quality brands with provenance and heritage. We are excited to be bringing our expertise, track-record and know-how to an entirely new company which will house a noteworthy portfolio of brands in exciting categories with huge growth potential.'

About Biggar & Leith and Lafayette Imports
Mark Teasdale and Elwyn Gladstone have worked together for approximately 20 years ' first at William Grant and Sons and later at Proximo Spirits. They have a track record of creating highly successful brands, including, Hendrick's Gin and The Kraken Rum. Elwyn Gladstone founded Biggar & Leith in 2015. Mark Teasdale joined him in 2018. Biggar & Leith owns and imports a portfolio of wines and spirits from family-owned producers who are dedicated to quality, innovation and craftsmanship. The company searches the globe for brands whose bottles transmit the personality and stories of the people who make them. Biggar & Leith developed MALFY Gin to be a highly successful international gin brand which was acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2019. The portfolio consists of Hotel Starlino Aperitivos and Vermouths; Monte Stambecco Amaro; Spytail Rum; Butterfly Cannon Tequila; Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky and Shanky's Whip Black Irish Whiskey Liqueur.
Biggar and Leith is owned by Elwyn Gladstone and Mark Teasdale and has offices in the New York Area and Ireland. Lafayette Imports is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Biggar and Leith and is based in the New York Area.