DISTIL
Distil Plc is an AIM-listed London-based spirits brand owner that markets seven premium alcoholic beverage brands (RedLeg Rum, Blackwoods Gin/Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodka, Blavod, Diva, Jago's) through UK and international retailers, on-trade operators, distributors, and its Blackwoods Brand Home visitor centre at Ardgowan Distillery, Scotland.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DISTIL does
Distil Plc is an AIM-listed (LSE: DIS) spirits brand owner headquartered in London at 73 Watling Street. Founded and admitted to AIM in 2003 (originally as Blavod Wines & Spirits plc), the company owns and markets seven premium alcoholic beverage brands: RedLeg Spiced Rum (Caribbean rum with multiple flavour extensions including Pineapple, Banana, Tropical, and Caramelised Pineapple), Blackwoods Gin and Vodka (Scottish spirits distilled at the Ardgowan Distillery in Inverkip using local botanicals such as kelp, sea buckthorn, and water mint), TRØVE Botanical Vodka (a lower-ABV 30% botanical spirit), Blavod Black Vodka (triple-distilled, naturally coloured with catechu), Diva Vodka (premium vodka with Swarovski crystal element), and Jago's Cream Liqueur (vodka-based cream liqueur created by Tom Jago, the creator of Baileys).
The company operates an asset-light, brand-marketing model with only 1-10 direct employees, outsourcing most production and relying on a £3m strategic convertible loan investment into Ardgowan Distillery Company Limited for Blackwoods gin and vodka production, plus Caribbean distillation for RedLeg rum. Revenue is generated across off-trade (UK supermarket listings including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Co-op, Booth's), on-trade (Scottish hospitality groups such as Buzzworks Holdings' 22 venues), international distribution (US via AIKO Importers' 185-partner network, plus Germany, Spain, and Australia through regional distributors), direct-to-consumer e-commerce via brand websites, and a new tourism vertical via the Blackwoods Brand Home visitor centre opened in February 2026 at the Ardgowan Estate. Pricing follows a unit-pricing model: Blackwoods Dry Gin 40% retails at £23.99, with RedLeg flavour extensions at RSP £22 and Brand Home experiences from £10.
The company is currently in a stressed financial position: a March 2026 profit warning disclosed material revenue shortfall, larger-than-forecast losses, underperforming sales, higher-than-expected distributor stock, and an immediate short-term funding need, triggering an approximately 63.6% share price decline. Liquidity has been sustained through three small equity placings (approximately £765k in November 2023, £650k in September 2024, and £755k in September 2025). Leadership includes Executive Chairman Don Goulding (ex-Managing Director of Diageo UK), Finance Director Adebola Adebo (ex-Pernod Ricard's Whisky Exchange), Marketing Director Sarah Kingsbury, and recently appointed Non-Executive Director Philip Naughton.
DISTIL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DISTIL
- Legal name
- Distil Plc
- Website
- https://distil.uk.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Distil Plc is an AIM-listed London-based spirits brand owner that markets seven premium alcoholic beverage brands (RedLeg Rum, Blackwoods Gin/Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodka, Blavod, Diva, Jago's) through UK and international retailers, on-trade operators, distributors, and its Blackwoods Brand Home visitor centre at Ardgowan Distillery, Scotland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DISTIL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Spirits
- NAICS
- Distilleries (312140), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Mixed Alcohol Specialty Retail (Beer/Wine/Spirits Combined) (CRANABAH), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)
Keywords
Where DISTIL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
DISTIL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Spirits Brand Sales: Distil generates revenue through the sale of owned spirits brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Diva Vodka, and Jago's Cream Liqueur. Revenue comes from retail (off-trade), on-trade (bars/restaurants), and direct-to-consumer e-commerce channels across UK, US, Germany, Spain, and Australia markets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Blackwoods Brand Home experiences from £10 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Blackwoods retail pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TRØVE Botanical Vodka - lower calorie positioning |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
DISTIL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Distil plc owns and markets a portfolio of seven premium alcoholic beverage brands — RedLeg Spiced Rum (with Pineapple, Banana, Tropical and Caramelised Pineapple extensions), Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Diva Vodka, and Jago's Cream Liqueur. The company produces spirits at the Ardgowan Distillery in Scotland and distributes them through UK supermarket and on-trade channels, international distributors in the US, Germany, Spain and Australia, direct e-commerce, and the Blackwoods Brand Home visitor experience.
Product overview
Distil plc is an AIM-listed spirits company that owns a portfolio of premium alcoholic beverage brands. The company operates as a brand owner and marketer rather than a unified software platform. Its product portfolio includes: RedLeg Spiced Rum (core brand) with multiple flavor extensions (Pineapple, Banana, Tropical, Caramelised Pineapple); Blackwoods Gin and Vodka (Scottish spirits with local botanicals, now produced at Ardgowan Distillery); TRØVE Botanical Vodka (lower ABV innovation at 30%); Blavod Black Vodka (original black vodka); Diva Vodka (premium vodka with Swarovski elements); and Jago's Cream Liqueur (vodka-based cream liqueur created by Tom Jago). The company also operates the Blackwoods Brand Home visitor experience. Distil markets and sells its brands internationally across the UK, USA, Germany, Spain, and Australia through arrangements with local market distributors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RedLeg Spiced Rum: Premium Caribbean rum infused with spices, featuring notes of vanilla and ginger. Named after the native RedLeg Hermit Crab. Launched in 2012.
- Blackwoods Gin & Vodka
- TRØVE Botanical Vodka
- Blavod Black Vodka
- Diva Vodka
- Jago's Cream Liqueur
Quantifiable outcome
- RedLeg achieved highest Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in volume and value in UK between 2013-2019 of any rum brand since launch
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use DISTIL
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DISTIL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DISTIL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Studio PercaleminorInterior design partnership for Blackwoods Brand Home renovation. Designed to be sympathetic to building's history while communicating Blackwoods brand at every touch-point.
- Barlow & CominorPartnership with packaging experts Barlow & Co for RedLeg Spiced Rum packaging refresh, the first major update since 2012 brand launch.
- AIKO Importers, Inc.corePartnership with AIKO Importers, Inc. to bring Blavod Black Vodka back into the US market. AIKO is a nationally recognised importer with distribution network of 185 partners across all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Strong retail relationships with Costco, Total Wine, and Spec's. Shipments planned to commence by end of June 2025.
- ITV AdVenturesminorTV advertising partnership for RedLeg Spiced Rum's first TV campaign worth £500,000. Ad aired on linear ITV channels and ITV Hub nationally.
- °Small WorldminorAdvertising production partnership with scaleup specialists °Small World and their partners 10 Days for RedLeg TV campaign creative development.
- Ardgowan Distillery Company LimitedcoreStrategic investment of £3m (potentially up to £5m) into Ardgowan Distillery project. Provides permanent home for Blackwoods Gin including stills, gin school, and visitor centre. Access to Master Whisky Maker Max Macfarlane for developing Distil blended malt whisky brand. Blackwoods production moved to Ardgowan site with first distillation completed. Ardgowan Distillery opened June 2025.
- Edwards Distillers / Sion EdwardscorePartnership with Master Distiller Sion Edwards (founder of Warner Gin) for TRØVE Botanical Vodka development. Sion Edwards oversees white spirit production and NPD at Ardgowan Distillery for Blackwoods brands.
- Franklin & SonsminorCollaboration with Franklin & Sons premium soft drink brand to create RedLeg Spiced Rum and 1886 Cola RTD canned cocktail. Available in Co-op stores. 250ml can at 5% ABV.
- Buzzworks HoldingsminorBuzzworks Holdings, award-winning Scottish hospitality operator with 22 bars and restaurants across Scotland. Blackwoods Vodka secured cocktail listings across all 22 locations (Pornstar Martini, Bloody Mary, Bradsell Espresso Martini in three Lido venues). Blackwoods Gin and RedLeg Spiced Rum also listed on spirits menus.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
DISTIL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Whyte & Mackay: Independent Scotch whisky owner (Whyte & Mackay, Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn) with own distilling, blending and brand marketing. Similar in bringing own-distillery scale to multi-brand premium spirits and competing for similar on-trade/restaurant placements.
- Stock Spirits Group: Central European premium spirits group (Stock Original, Fernet Stock, Limoncè) operating a regional multi-brand portfolio across vodka, rum and liqueurs. Closely mirrors Distil's strategy of marketing multiple owned spirits brands through regional distributors.
- Quintessential Brands Group: Owner of G&J Distillers and a portfolio of gin, vodka and liqueur brands (Opihr, Bloom, Dead Man's Fingers). Operates an independent distillery plus brand-marketing model highly comparable to Distil.
- Halewood Artisanal Spirits: UK-based independent spirits owner-marketer with a portfolio of multiple owned brands across gin, vodka, rum and cream liqueur, sold through UK supermarkets and on-trade. Closest structural analogue to Distil's multi-brand portfolio model with similar international distributor set-up.
- Angus Dundee Distillers: Independent Scottish Scotch whisky producer (Glencadam, Tomintoul) and bulk distiller. Relevant comparison given Distil's Ardgowan whisky ambitions and need to generate cask-derived revenue.
- Ian Macleod Distillers: Privately-held Scottish independent distiller and brand owner (Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Edinburgh Gin, Smokehead). Closest direct peer for Blackwoods in Scottish craft gin plus multi-brand premium spirits strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Pernod Ricard: World's #2 spirits group with comparable gin/vodka/rum portfolio (Beefeater, Absolut, Havana Club). Distil's Finance Director Adebola Adebo moved from The Whisky Exchange (Pernod Ricard), and the groups compete head-to-head for UK on-trade listings and travel-retail placement.
- Diageo: Global spirits giant and direct competitor in gin (Tanqueray), vodka (Smirnoff), rum (Captain Morgan) and Scotch. Distil's chairman Don Goulding is a former Diageo UK MD, evidencing competitive overlap and shared channels; Distil competes for the same on-trade and off-trade shelf space at far smaller scale.
- AG Barr: AIM-listed UK branded soft drinks and mixers group (Irn-Bru, Rubicon, Funkin). Listed on the same AIM market as Distil with comparable overhead model and exposure to UK grocery listings; a useful same-listing benchmark for valuation and operational scale.
- William Grant & Sons: Privately-held Scotch/whisky/gin group (Hendrick's, Glenfiddich, Grant's). Direct competitor in Scottish gin where Distil's Blackwoods plays, and in Scotch where Distil's Ardgowan-derived blended malt ambitions lie.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DISTIL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DISTIL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DISTIL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DISTIL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DISTIL
What does DISTIL do?
Distil plc owns and markets a portfolio of seven premium alcoholic beverage brands — RedLeg Spiced Rum (with Pineapple, Banana, Tropical and Caramelised Pineapple extensions), Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Diva Vodka, and Jago's Cream Liqueur. The company produces spirits at the Ardgowan Distillery in Scotland and distributes them through UK supermarket and on-trade channels, international distributors in the US, Germany, Spain and Australia, direct e-commerce, and the Blackwoods Brand Home visitor experience.
Is DISTIL a public or private company?
DISTIL is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was DISTIL founded?
DISTIL was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DISTIL based?
DISTIL is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does DISTIL make money?
One revenue line is on record: spirits Brand Sales.
Who are DISTIL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Whyte & Mackay, Stock Spirits Group, Quintessential Brands Group, Halewood Artisanal Spirits, Angus Dundee Distillers and Ian Macleod Distillers. Broad incumbents are Pernod Ricard, Diageo, AG Barr and William Grant & Sons.
Does DISTIL have an API?
No public API is recorded for DISTIL.
What industry is DISTIL in?
DISTIL's product category is Premium Spirits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAC, Spirits Distilling & Brands, with a secondary code of THAFALAG, Distilleries (Tasting Rooms). Its NAICS code is 312140 and its SIC code is 2080.