June 5, 2026: La Martiniquaise-Bardinet investments and more…
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet invests in Spain, Slane distillery stops, Brown-Forman's performance, RNDC in the US, agave alternatives, bacanora 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 today’s selection of news, featuring industry investments, production pauses, market performance updates, news from Mexico, and the second part of Matt Pietrek’s fascinating deep dive into high-ester rums.
Enjoy.
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet invests in Spanish liquors
The French group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has acquired a 40% stake in the Spanish spirits producer Street Liquors through its Bardinet business.
The news was reported by María Jesús Ibáñez in the Spanish publication El Periódico:
El fabricante de Ron Negrita y Cutty Sark entra en la licorera navarra que elabora el Plata o Plomo
…and confirmed to Just Drinks.
You can find more details in Fiona Holland’s article here:
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet invests in Spanish liqueur company
Brown-Forman halts production at Slane Distillery
The global group Brown-Forman has paused production at its Slane Irish Whiskey distillery. The company told Robb Report that any potential reopening would be “determined by demand planning and forecasting,” though the stoppage is currently listed as temporary. The news surfaced after an employee noted on LinkedIn that distillation would cease “for the next number of years.”
Article by Jonah Flicker in Robb Report:
Brown-Forman Is Halting Production at Its Irish Whiskey Distillery
How’s Brown-Forman performing?
Brown-Forman has been in the headlines quite a bit recently, largely due to acquisition speculation involving major players like Pernod Ricard and Sazerac.
- Our press review about merger talks with Pernod Ricard here.
- Financial Times report on the Sazerac here.
This topic triggered one of Chris Maffeo’s podcast episodes, featuring Filiberto Amati. You can find it here (subscription required):
The group also published its fiscal 2026 results yesterday. The company reported mixed outcomes: net sales fell 1% to $3.9 billion, operating income dropped 10%, and earnings per share declined 17%. However, the firm generated significantly stronger cash flow and returned $827 million to shareholders. Market conditions remain challenging due to economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and softer alcohol consumption, particularly in developed markets.
Official report here:
US
RNDC closes 3 facilities and cuts 56 jobs in Ohio
The US distributor Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is planning to cut a portion of its workforce in Ohio, including the closure of three facilities: two in Cincinnati and one in Columbus. Further job losses are planned in Washington, Alaska, and South Dakota as part of a wider company reorganization.
News by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:
Mexico
Huanímaro seeks alternative for agave
In Guanajuato, the Huanímaro government is promoting new ways to use agave to mitigate a collapse in prices caused by overproduction and to prevent producers from abandoning their crops. Josué Magdaleno, the municipality’s director of agricultural development, told the press: “We implemented a course where they were taught how to transform agave not only into tequila, but also into syrup, distillates, and other products.”
News reported by Gerry Orozco in the Mexican publication Notus Noticia:
A new research lab for bacanora
A new specialized laboratory is set to open in Ures (in the Mexican state of Sonora) to foster research and development related to the production of Bacanora. This initiative stems from an agreement signed by the Sonora State Government with the Technological University of Hermosillo (Uth) and the Sonora Bacanora Regulatory Council.
News by Alexis Ramírez Valenzuela in Meganoticias Mexico:
They are going to create a laboratory to promote bacanora in Sonora
Something to read
If you enjoyed Matt Pietrek’s first article on high-ester rum, you will certainly appreciate the second part of his series on Rum Wonk.
Link here below:
That’s all for today!
Have a great weekend, and sip wisely ;)
Cheers 🥃