US-based importer Infinium Spirits has acquired Howler Head whiskey from Campari.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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No staff are moving across to Infinium Spirits, which said it had agreed a deal for “Howler Head flavoured whiskey products and assets”.
In a statement, Infinium Spirits called the deal a “landmark acquisition” and a “strategic milestone” in its efforts to build a “world-class” portfolio of brands.
The San Diego-based business imports and markets brands including Templeton Rye whiskey and Seagram’s vodka.
Infinium Spirits president Jan Tharp said: “Howler Head embodies the innovative spirit that Infinium represents and we are eager to take this incredible brand to new heights, both in the United States and around the world.”
Campari acquired a minority stake in Howler Head from London-based Catalyst Spirits – set up by industry veteran Simon Hunt – in 2022. At the time, then Campari CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz described Howler Head as “an ideal fit” for the group’s portfolio.
Two months later, the Italian giant then bought a minority stake in Catalyst Spirits. At the time, Catalyst Spirits’ portfolio included The Oceanus Hibernicus, an Irish-Scotch whisk(e)y blend and Alexander Murray & Co., an independent Scotch bottler.
In December, Campari named Hunt as its new CEO. In the same announcement. the Aperol maker said the minority stake and distribution rights it held in Howler Head was “in the process of being unwound” as part of plans to focus on “core priority brands”.
Two months earlier, Campari, alongside a set of quarterly results that missed expectations, had set out plans to reduce costs and indicated it was looking to offload brands.
Approached by Just Drinks to comment on the deal with Infinium Spirits, Campari referred this publication to its statement in December. Just Drinks has asked if Campari still owns a stake in the wider Catalyst Spirits business.
Last month, Campari confirmed plans to carry out an “organisational restructuring” in a bid to improve its financial position.
In a statement at the time to Just Drinks, the business said it was “gradually implementing a comprehensive set of company initiatives to accelerate growth and profitability via focus, simplification and cost containment”.
Part of this plan, the company said, included “some tough decisions, such as organisational restructuring” in a bid “to ensure a return to the overall medium and long-term financial health and sustainability of Campari Group”.
Campari’s net sales grew 2.4% organically and 5.4% on a reported basis in 2024 to €3.07bn ($3.34bn).
Gross profit, corresponding to 57.6% of net sales, increased 3.9% on a reported basis and was up 2.4% organically to €1.8bn.
Profit before taxation slid a significant 45.2% to €256m, while, in adjusted terms, it dipped 3.9% to €523m.
Group net profit slumped 39% to €202m. Reported group adjusted net profit declined 3.7% to €376m.
EBITDA dropped 20% to €520m, while adjusted EBITDA grew a meagre 0.5% to €732.6m.
