July 25th, 2025: Pisco exports and other news...
Día del Pisco and market overviews, Pernod Ricard sells Imperial Blue whisky and Knappogue Castle, UK-India trade deal signed, LVMH's H1, Rémy Cointreau first quarterly growth, shochu and more...
The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by , 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!
Happy Friday, finally! Our press review is packed with news from all over the spirits world, starting with some mixed signals from the Pisco market in Peru. Let’s dive in…
Pisco exports grow, while overall sales decrease
According to the Sociedad Nacional de Industrias (SNI) and its wine industry committee (Comité de la Industria Vitivinícola), Pisco exports registered growth in both value (+6%) and volume (+10.7%) during the first half of the year. However, overall sales dropped by 8,2% between January and April.
The SNI released a report Peru’s national Día del Pisco is approaches (this Sunday 27th July). You can read it from the source here:
SNI: crece exportación de Pisco, pero ventas generales caen un 8% anualmente
Acquisitions
Imperial Blue Whisky sold to Tilaknagar
French multinational firm Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of its Imperial Blue whisky brand to India's Tilaknagar Industries. The deal, which was initially announced at the beginning of June, closed at a value of €412.6 million ($486 million), a figure lower than previously estimated (you can refresh your memory with June 6th press review here).
Article by Reuters:
Pernod Ricard sells Imperial Blue whisky to India's Tilaknagar for $486 million
Not the only sale for Pernod Ricard
Knappogue Castle go to Cobblestone Brands
The multinational company’s Irish whiskey arm, Irish Distillers, has sold its Knappogue Castle and Clontarf brands to Dublin-based Cobblestone Brands.
Article by Ted Simmons on The Spirits Business:
International markets
UK-India trade agreement officially signed
UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi met yesterday (Thursday, 24th July) and signed the trade agreement between their respective countries. As a result, UK beverage and tobacco exports to India could increase by approximately £700 million (US$942.3m). British spirits, specifically, will see tariffs halved from 150% to 75%, with a further reduction to 40% within 10 years.
Article by Melita Kiely on The Spirits Business:
You can also read an earlier press review here:
And find some more insights about the Indian market here:
Financial reports
LVMH H1 spirits sales fall 15%
It’s H1 reporting season, and here’s a look at LVMH group’s performance in the first half of 2025.
Overall spirits sales dropped by 15%, with Cognac being a significant contributor to this fall.
You can find more figures and details in Nicola Carruthers’s article on The Spirits Business:
Rémy Cointreau reports first quarterly growth since 2023
Rémy Cointreau has also released data on its latest performance, reporting its first quarter of sales growth in approximately two years.
Article by Emma Rumney on Reuters:
Rémy Cointreau sales rise, profit view lifted on China tariff deal
Something to read
The shochu “granddaddy”
Nomunication is one of my favourite blogs (link here). Liam McNulty (aka Whiskey Richard) is consistently keen to produce interesting and detailed content, filled with data and valuable insights into the Japanese spirits scene.
His latest article about shochu will definitely meet your expectations. It focuses on Kirishima Shuzo, but also includes a neat overview of shochu in general:
That’s all for today. I wish you all a great weekend.
Please feel free to suggest any topics you’re interested in and would like me to monitor.
Don’t forget to celebrate the Día del Pisco on Sunday, and don’t forget to recommend this blog to your friends and colleagues in the spirits industry ;)
See you on Monday! cheers