Louisville, KY (December 18, 2019)—Brand-building specialist, 375 Park Avenue Spirits, is pleased to announce that it has come to an agreement with Glen Turner Company Ltd, the Scottish subsidiary of French group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet to act as the US importer for Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky effective February 7, 2020.
“We feel incredibly fortunate to be adding yet another industry icon, Cutty Sark, to our rich portfolio of revered brands, “said Jason Schladenhauffen, president and CEO of 375 Park Avenue Spirits. “Adding another top-20 global brand within its category to our book is a testament to the team we’ve assembled and the brand building work we’ve been able to showcase to our partners over the last several years. These opportunities are met with a conviction and obligation felt by our team to help these brands achieve the success they desire deserve in the U.S. market.”
Cutty Sark was developed in London in 1923—just before Prohibition began. The whisky takes its name from the famous drawing of the Cutty Sark sailing ship, and the iconic label got its color due to a printing error, but the company went with it! Once Prohibition took hold, the company had to get creative in how it shipped its product. Captain Bill McCoy, a smuggler of liquor to the US, was the main distributor for Cutty Sark at that time. The liquor became known as “The Real McCoy” in honor of the captain because he only dealt in the finest whisky products. Once Prohibition ended the sales of the liquor took off, and eventually became the first Scotch whisky to sell 1 million cases in the US.
“Joining the 375 Park Avenue Spirits portfolio is a fantastic opportunity for Cutty Sark” said Christophe Pichambert, international director for La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. “The rich history and glorious past of Cutty Sark in the US required an importer with the right focus, a proven track record of success and the invigorating energy to put the brand back on the forefront. We are very confident that Jason and his team will succeed in the exciting challenge of bringing such an iconic Scotch Whisky brand to the new generation of whisky drinkers in America.”
Cutty Sark will be available from 375 Park Avenue Spirits beginning on February 7, 2020. Available SKUs include the following: Cutty Sark 1.75L, 1L, 750ml and 375ml and Cutty Sark Prohibition 1L & 750ml.
About 375 Park Avenue Spirits
375 Park Avenue Spirits specializes in superior brands from around the world that drive innovation within their category. It was founded in 1981 as Luctor International, LLC and in early 2015, became an independent subsidiary yet fully integrated sales company inside the Sazerac Company.
The 375 Park Avenue Spirits portfolio spans the premium- to luxury-spirit categories and includes numerous expressions from leading international producers: Van Gogh Vodka and Gin from Holland; Tap Whisky from Canada; Dictador Rum from Colombia; Sobieski Vodka and Marie Brizard from Marie Brizard Spirits in France; Saint James Rhum from Martinique; Antica Sambuca, Limoncello Rossi D’Asiago and Dolce Nero from Italy; Saint-Vivant and Castarède Armagnac from France; Yeni Raki and Tekirdag Rakisi from Turkey; Scapegrace Gin from New Zealand; and Paul John Single Malt Whisky from India.
375 Park Avenue Spirits also represents the International Beverage Holdings Ltd. spirit portfolio including single malt whiskies Speyburn, Old Pulteney, Balblair, and anCnoc as well as Hankey Bannister blended Scotch and Caorunn Gin from Scotland. On the Pacific side, the alliance includes Phraya Rum and Mekhong – an iconic brand and a household name in Southeast Asia.
In 2019, 375 Park Avenue Spirits signed multiple agreements to act as the U.S. representative for brands including Paul John Indian Whisky, Marie Brizard Spirits including Sobieski vodka and Maison Augier cognac.
By aligning with brands that embrace the values and vision of 375 Park Avenue Spirits, the company has created an environment of growth for supplier partners in the US market. For more information on the portfolio, go to 375park.com.
About Sazerac
Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.
About La Martiniquaise-Bardinet
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet Group is a leading player in the Wine & Spirits industry and features in the world’s top ten spirits companies (source: IMPACT).
This independent French group founded in 1934 employs 2,400 people with a turnover of over 1 billion euros. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries on many spirit categories and is particularly renowned internationally for its blended scotch whisky portfolio (Cutty Sark acquired from The Edrington Group in December 2018 and its two millionaire brands Label 5 and Sir Edward’s). The group also prides in being the category leader in Port with Cruz Port and Agricole Rum with Saint James.
For more information, please visit la-martiniquaise.com