The US-based Aether Brand Group has acquired the Oaxaxa-based mezcal producer Corte Vetusto.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Corte Vetusto was launched by David Shepherd and Richard Black in 2017. Its current markets include the US, UK, Italy and Thailand.

The Aether Brand Group said it will look to “dramatically increase” and grow the brand’s distribution and international footprint.

“Their international product recognition is strong, and we look forward to providing the capital, infrastructure, and capabilities to further accelerate the impressive global growth already achieved,” Aether Brand Group CEO and founder Matthew Tarallo said.

Corte Vetusto mezcal has three variants; Espadin, Tobala and Ensambles. The SKUs range from $69.99-$134.99.

Part of the distiller’s strategy is to create “nano-batch” mezcal products using traditional production methods.

Later this year it is expected to launch a Pechuga product. Pechuga translates to breast in Spanish and is a practice when a finished mezcal is redistilled under a raw poultry breast.

Speaking on the acquisition, Corte Vetusto co-founder Shepherd said that Aether Brand's “leadership team has an outstanding reputation in the consumer goods industry, with vast experience and success building and leading global brands across both developed and emerging markets.

“With this investment we’ll continue to hand-craft world-class liquid, selectively expand our distribution and cement our position as a highly respected craft spirits brand.”

The Aether Brand Group was established in 2023 by Matthew Tarallo – former global VP of Coca-Cola’s Amazon business unit. It acts as an incubator and “brand house” within adult consumer categories.

Its portfolio includes the beverage brands Casa Alma Cocktails, Oval CBD and Nomu Sake.

The rise in demand for mezcal has sparked M&A interest in the market. Last year, Bacardi fully acquired the mezcal brand Illegal, six years after the spirits giant first invested in the US business.

The rise in demand for mezcal has sparked M&A interest in the market. Since 2017, Pernod Ricard has snapped up Del Maguey, Diageo has bought Mezcal Unión owner Casa UM and Campari Group has picked up Montelobos.