UK DISTRIBUTION

VnC Cocktails, New Zealand’s leading ready-to-serve cocktail maker, announced today that it has signed a significant distribution deal with Whyte & Mackay to launch into the UK market.

Whyte & Mackay is well known for their portfolio of iconic brands such as Glayva, Isle of Jura and Vladivar. Whyte & Mackay were last year awarded Distiller of the Year at the International Wine & Spirits Competition and have won 70 international medals and awards for their portfolio.

Shane Starkey, Whyte & Mackay UK Commercial Director said: “VnC Cocktails are a great concept and can really bring ease of serve into homes and bars across the UK. VnC’s range allows us to provide quality cocktails, quick service, good margins for the trade and a taste that is never compromised as they are all made with 100% fresh fruit.”

He continued “Growth in the ready to drink market is expected to come from pre mixed cocktails and spirits and that growth is expected to double in the next five years.  Add to this the increasing consumer demand for fresh and natural sources of food and drink and the VnC brand becomes highly attractive for the UK market.”

Whyte & Mackay will introduce four cocktails – Pacific Mai Tai, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito and Margarita – into the UK market in September.

VnC Cocktails is the brainchild of a previous 42 BELOW Vodka founder Shane McKillen. After his frustrations at spending too many hours mixing and shaking cocktails for his friends rather than entertaining and enjoying them, McKillen set out to create a ready to serve cocktail that took out the effort and hassle of making a standard cocktail.

The natural cocktails, which contain no artificial preservatives, additives or colours, are easy to serve, consistently high quality and with an alcohol content of 13.9% there is nothing to add – just shake and pour over ice.

McKillen said “VnC Cocktails are thrilled to have been selected by world renowned Whyte & Mackay to share in our vision. Having an association with Whyte & Mackay is a huge endorsement for the Company and we are excited to see VnC Cocktails added to their prestigious list of brands.”

NEW INVESTOR AND DIRECTOR

Today VnC Cocktails was also pleased to announce that Warren Couillault had become a new cornerstone investor. Warren is an institutional investor and fund manager specialising in growth companies. Warren has over 18 years of investment experience, most recently as a Director and Chief Investment Officer at Fisher Funds Management.

Warren Couillault said “I am excited about the prospects of this innovative fast growing company and look forward to being a part of its successful future”. VnC Cocktails Managing Director Shane McKillen said “having an investor of Warrens calibre involved in VnC Cocktails further strengthens the team and places the company in a good position for future growth.”

Warren has joined the board of directors and will be actively involved in the company helping to drive its global growth strategy.