September 27, 2025: UK spirits industry efforts and other news
UK-US negotiations, demand for duty freeze, UK and France spirits export figures, Australian Distilling financial difficulties, leadership changes at Bacardi and William Grant & Sons and more...
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Hello everyone!
I’m writing from Paris today, where Whisky Live is about to start. We’re closing the week with some export figures from the UK and France, and a roundup of other global news. Let’s begin.
UK continues negotiating on US whisky tariffs
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that negotiations to secure a better deal with the US on Scotch whisky tariffs are ongoing.
An article by Neil Pooran for The Independent reports on some of his statements. The clear impression is that Starmer is attempting to keep the industry calm during this delicate situation. You can read it here:
Starmer ‘determined’ to reach a deal over US tariffs on Scotch whisky
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, also met with Trump earlier this month to push for a cut on Scotch whisky tariffs. (You can re-read our September 13 press review here).
Meanwhile
Trade associations across the UK demand spirits duty freeze
Trade associations representing distilleries across the UK have delivered an open letter to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, calling on her to support spirits producers with a multi-year duty freeze in November’s Budget. The letter has been signed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), UK Spirits Alliance (UKSA), the Welsh Whisky Association, the English Whisky Guild, and Drinks Ireland.
The news has surfaced in several magazines, but you can read the statement directly from the source on the SWA’s website:
UK whisky exports value grew 1%, but volume fell in H1
According to figures released by The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the country’s food and drink export values reached £12.4 billion ($16.5 billion) in the first half of the year, a 6.8% year-on-year increase. This growth is attributed to a return to growth in the EU and a notable increase in the US, despite the tariffs.
While whisky export revenues increased by 1% to £2.5 billion, volumes fell by 3.1%, and exports to the US plunged by over 3% in both value and volume terms.
You can read the news by Just Drinks (no author mentioned):
EU rebound, US growth boosts UK food and drinks exports in H1
French wines and spirits exports reached €16,5 billion in 2024
The French Customs statistics service and the INSEE (Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques) have published a report summarising French wine and spirits exports for the past year. Total export value reached €16.5 billion, of which spirits accounted for €5.2 billion. Cognac alone accounted for €3 billion.
However, the main target markets for French wine and spirits remain the United States and China, which leaves them highly exposed to tariffs and anti-dumping measures, as we have seen recently.
Chloé Morand-Bridet writes about the report in her article for Le Figaro, you can read it here:
…or you can read the report itself, which I found it for you on French Custom website ;) :
Australia
Australian Distilling Ltd faces financial restructuring
Australian Distilling Ltd, the parent company of Old Young’s, Juniper Society, and Gingin Gin, has appointed voluntary administrators from RSM Australia Partners following financial difficulties. The move comes less than a year after the company raised over $1.36 million through crowdfunding for its Cathedral of Gin venue in Swan Valley, Western Australia.
Article by Cody Profaca in Drinks Trade here:
Leadership changes
Bacardi restructures senior leadership across global operations
Bacardi has announced several internal promotions within its people and supply chain teams. Dave Ingram has been appointed as Chief People and Business Transformation Officer, following Scott Northcutt’s planned retirement after 16 years. Nicole Zukowski has been promoted to Chief Supply Chain Officer, taking over from Ingram, with Guillermo Donayre replacing Zukowski in North America.
Article by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:
Diageo veteran Matt Johnson joins William Grant & Sons as US Chief Commercial Officer
William Grant & Sons USA has appointed Matt Johnson as Chief Commercial Officer, with his start date set for September 29th. Johnson began his career at Diageo in 2004 as a merchandising representative in Connecticut and rose through the ranks to become VP of Sales for National Accounts.
Global Drinks Intelligence is reporting the news (no author mentioned):
William Grant & Sons poaches from Diageo for US commercial lead
That’s all for today, as I’m rushing to get to Whisky Live. I’ll see you on Monday for more news.
Have a great weekend, and do send me a message if you are planning to be at Whisky Live!
Cheers ;)