January 27, 2026: Powerscourt Distillery finds an investor and other news
Powerscourt rescued, Radico Khaitan eyes Scotland, big firms unsold stock, Clynelish visitor centre to close, tequila exports, cognac sales and rebalance, Martinique rum, consumers trends and more...
The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by Eugenia Torelli, an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:
Hello everyone!
Here is a quick round-up of the key headlines from the past week and today. I’ve also included a slightly different recommendation at the end which I hope you find useful.
Let’s dive in.
Ireland
US investor rescues Powerscourt Distillery from receivership
In a welcome piece of news, the US investment firm Altiva Management is set to acquire the majority of Powerscourt Distillery’s assets. The move is expected to save the business and secure existing jobs at the Wicklow-based site. The deal includes the award-winning Fercullen Irish Whiskey brand and the distillery’s state-of-the-art visitor centre.
News by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:
India
Radico Khaitan eyes Scottish distillery acquisition
The Indian spirits giant Radico Khaitan is planning to establish a dedicated division in Scotland. As part of this significant investment, the company—well known for its Rampur Indian single malt—is looking to purchase an existing, operational Scotch whisky distillery.
News by Jessica Broadbent in Global Drinks Intel:
Global markets
Major spirits firms facing a $22 billion ‘lake’ of unsold stock
According to a report in the Financial Times, five of the world’s largest drinks multinationals—Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Campari, Brown-Forman, and Rémy Cointreau—are currently holding US$22 billion worth of unsold aged spirits. This “spirits glut” is reportedly the result of overproduction following an overestimation of post-pandemic demand.
These figures are usually calculated by analysts who sum up the “inventory” or “maturing stock” values found on the public balance sheets of these five giants. Since whiskey and cognac must age for years, companies keep billions of dollars in “work in progress” on their books. The “glut” occurs when that value grows much faster than actual sales, suggesting they are overproducing for a market that is currently cooling down.
You can find the Financial Times’s report here:
Drinks makers left with lake of unsold spirits as demand drops
Alternatively, you can read the summary in Drinks Digest:
Diageo to close Clynelish visitor centre
Surprisingly, Diageo has announced plans to close the Clynelish visitor centre in the Highlands. This comes despite visitor numbers have more than doubled recently, and following a major multi-million-pound relaunch only four years ago. While the visitor hub is set to close, Diageo confirmed that whisky production at the site will continue as normal.
You can read the news by Brian Donnelly in the Scottish publication The Herald:
Mexico
Tequila exports moderately increased in 2025
The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) has reported that tequila exports grew by 1,2% in 2025, reaching 407,98 million litres, compared to 402,7 in 2024. Notably, “100% agave tequila” remains the dominant category, accounting for 278.62 million litres of that total—a slight increase on the previous year’s figures-while simple “tequila” exports totaled 129.37 million liters.
The news probably comes from a press relase, and you can read more at AM Mexico:
France
Cognac sales slump to 20-year low
Cognac export fell to 141 million bottles in 2025, the lowest level recorded since 2009. According to figures from the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (Bnic), which were revealed by the French publication Sud Ouest, the total value of sales has dropped to €2,2 billion, from the 2021 peak of €3,6 billion (220 million bottles).
Article by Olivia Détroyat in Le Figaro:
Cognac Growers approve yield cap and €10,000 grubbing-up incentive
To combat the downturn, the UGVC board has approved a reduced yield cap for the 2026 harvest. Furthermore, a “grubbing-up” scheme (the permanent removal of vineyards) will offer growers €10,000 per hectare to help restore market equilibrium. This plan is currently being financed by the viticulture sector itself while awaiting potential government or EU support.
You can read the announcement by UGVC here:
Communication: l’UGVC vote un rendement à 7,65 et un plan d’arrachage
Martinique rum sales decline in the French market
The volume of rum sold from Martinique fell by 5.6% in France last year. Producers are now looking toward increased tourism and the potential benefits of an EU-Mercosur trade deal to offset the domestic decline.
Article by Irène Emonides and Megan Bourdon-Cohen in France Info Martinique:
Something to read
How consumers spend their time and money
Understanding shifting consumer habits is more critical than ever, especially given the current market situation. I recommend this recent podcast from McKinsey & Company, which explores current spending trends and how people are prioritising their budgets in 2026.
That’s all for today. I’m aiming to send out a second newsletter later this week, so fingers crossed!
Thank you for reading, and see you soon.