Campari Group is to distribute CVH's whiskies in France and Monaco from 1 July, it announced today (18 June).
The deal will see Campari’s French arm become the exclusive distributor for Islay single malt Scotch whisky Bunnahabhain, single malts Deanston, Tobermory and Ledaig, and the “premium” blended Scotch whisky Black Bottle.
Campari takes over the distribution from Cognac-headquartered Camus, which has managed the portfolio in the region since 2021.
The Aperol brand owner would not be drawn on the length of the deal nor whether it would look to handle CVH's whiskies into other markets in the future.
CVH was formerly part of Distell Group, the South African drinks business Heineken acquired in 2023. The company was unbundled from Distell after the deal with Heineken. South African investor Remgro remains a shareholder in CVH.
A spokesperson told Just Drinks both France and Monaco had a “strong appetite for premium whiskies such as CVH’s”.
Géraud de la Noue, the president of Campari's operations in France, said: “We are proud and happy to welcome Bunnhabhain under our banner, as well as CVH's other great whiskies.
“The arrival of these [brands] in perfect synergy with our current offer, and we will put all our distributive know-how at their service.”
Last year, the Italian group added two whiskies and a rum from US peer Proximo Spirits into its French and Monacan distribution roster.
The deal saw Campari given exclusive distribution rights for Irish whiskeys Bushmills and The Sexton, as well as spiced-rum brand The Kraken.
Campari will handle the brands in “all distribution channels”, including wine merchants and e-commerce. It did not confirm how long the deal had been signed for.
In November, it ended a distribution tie-up in France with Château Minuty – the rosé producer majority-owned by LVMH – which has been in place since 1967.
A short statement read: “The strategic interests of their respective parent companies led the managers of Minuty and Campari France to make the decision to terminate their distribution agreement amicably.”
In September, Campari announced a deal to distribute Château Miraval’s rosé in France and the US. The agreement sparked controversy, however, as Miraval co-owner Stoli Group, which bought a 50% share of the business in 2021 from Angelina Jolie, claimed it was unaware of the development.
