Kobrand / Appleton

[Edward Hamilton]

Source: Wine & Spirit Daily March 14th
KOBRAND CORP. HAS SIGNED A MARKETING AND SALES AGREEMENT WITH J. WRAY & NEPHEW, Jamaica's leading rum producer, effective May 1.
The long term agreement includes the entire J. Wray & Nephew portfolio - Appleton Estate range, Appleton Special, Appleton White, J. Wray & Nephew Overproof, and Coruba dark rums.



Note: This agreement may see the return to the US of many Jamaican rums and liqueurs which weren't imported while Appleton was being distributed by Brown Forman. Edward Hamilton

[RumBarPhilly]

I will begin to research it, but perhaps you can help... Who is Kobrand? What other spirits are in their portfolio?

[Rum Runner]

Here is Kobrand's homepage

[RumBarPhilly]

Thank you for that!!

[RobertBurr]

J. WRAY & NEPHEW LTD. APPOINTS NEW US IMPORTER Kobrand Corporation to Market and Sell the Company's Premium Jamaica Rums

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, March 17, 2008 – J. Wray & Nephew Limited today announced that they have appointed Kobrand Corporation as the importer for the Company's range of premium Jamaican rums in the United States.

Under the new sales and marketing agreement, which will take effect on May 1, 2008, Kobrand Corporation will market and sell J. Wray & Nephew's portfolio of premium Jamaican Rum Brands including the flagship Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum brand as well as the Appleton Jamaica Rum, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum and Coruba Jamaica Rum brands in the United States.

According to William McConnell, Managing Director of Lascelles deMercado & Co. Limited., the parent company of J. Wray & Nephew Limited, the Kobrand Corporation is an excellent fit for the Jamaican Rum Company.

"In looking for a new importer agent to represent our range of premium rums in the United States, we sought to identify a Company that would be the perfect fit for our Company and our brands. Kobrand has an excellent track record of developing and positioning luxury offerings through their recognized wine portfolio and have raised the bar for luxury products through their strategy of education and "close to the customer" approach. With the launch of their spirits division, our range of premium Jamaican rums fits perfectly into their portfolio. We are certainly looking forward to working together to build our premium rum brands in the United States."

The J. Wray & Nephew Limited portfolio will reside within the newly created Spirits Division of Kobrand Wines and Spirits which is headed by Tom Congdon. Congdon noted that the Company was delighted to add J. Wray & Nephew Ltd's premium rum brands to Kobrand's spirit portfolio. "It is indeed a pleasure to begin representation of Jamaica's leading producer and marketer of premium rums. Their beautifully balanced portfolio of meticulously crafted rums perfectly complements other deluxe brands in the Kobrand Spirit portfolio."

[RumBarPhilly]

It appears distribution of Appleton will be bundled in somehow with Depaz, as that is Kobrand's other rum in their portfolio.

[RobertBurr]

Kobrand has very recently separated their spirits from their wines, creating two divisions. The Appleton products will be among the first to be imported and marketed by the new spirits division. Having Appleton on board at Kobrand Spirits will likely be a boost to Depaz.

[The Rum Ambassador]

Originally Posted by RobertBurr

Kobrand has very recently separated their spirits from their wines, creating two divisions. The Appleton products will be among the first to be imported and marketed by the new spirits division. Having Appleton on board at Kobrand Spirits will likely be a boost to Depaz.

It makes sense. When I used to work for J Wray & Nephew UK ltd, we signed a deal with Alize ( Kobrand) to distribute their passionfruit (Bling-Bling) liqueur around the UK, with remarkable success. This was 6 years ago and the relationship is still going strong. Should be an interesting relationship in the states as they have great distribution.