French family-owned Cognac House Camus and Scotch Whisky Distillers, Whyte & Mackay have entered into a new partnership in which they will manage the distribution of Camus Cognacs and Ungava Gin in the UK.
The new distribution agreement will see the luxury Cognac and Gin brands brought into the Whyte & Mackay portfolio to sit alongside its other award-winning products, such as The Dalmore and Jura single malt whiskies.
Nick Garland, Chief Commercial Officer Whyte & Mackay commented: "We are delighted to welcome CAMUS Cognacs and Ungava Gin into our stable to complement our super premium brands portfolio.
I see a strong synergy between Whyte & Mackay and CAMUS Cognacs. There is a real history and heritage behind the CAMUS brand and their highly skilled team of craftsmen are passionate about creating outstanding products - which are all attributes we strongly value as a Company. As for UNGAVA, this brand has a unique proposition and we are excited to welcome the only Canadian Gin in the UK marketplace into our product mix."
Cyril Camus, President of CAMUS Wines & Spirits said: "We have been looking for some time to find the right distributor for us in the UK - one of the original export markets of CAMUS and after all the fifth most important market for Cognac in the world. This, added to the chance of introducing Ungava into the country which is the traditional bastion of gin, is really exciting and we have all hopes to succeed. We are delighted to partner with Whyte & Mackay - they are passionate about all they do, they have set up strong routes to market and have a long track record of building brands."
Whyte & Mackay will distribute the following products in the UK domestic market:
- CAMUS Cognacs:
o Elegance range - VSOP, XO, Extra, Extra Dark & Intense
o Ile de Ré range - Fine Island, Double Matured, Cliffside Cellar
o Borderies range - VSOP, XO and 2004 Vintage
o Rarissimes vintages
o The Masterpiece Collection - Cuvée 5.150
Since 1863, five generations of the CAMUS family have cultivated a single-minded passion for crafting great Cognacs with their own style. With 180 hectares in the smallest and rarest AOC cru: Borderies - renowned for producing eaux-de-vie with an intense floral bouquet and excellent ageing qualities - the Camus family has always been deeply involved in winemaking and distilling. It is this unbreakable bond between the land, the traditions and the men who live on it, that helps craft superb Cognacs. In 2000, the House premiered with the first ever 100% Borderies XO Cognac.
A tremendous success, it was to become the CAMUS signature Cognac, offering an outstanding combination of violet and vanilla spice aromas of intense velvety smoothness. CAMUS Elegance range is a bold illustration of CAMUS' Living Tradition with Cognacs that truly respect the original character of the eaux-de-vie and are remarkable for the finesse of their blends. In its ongoing search to explore the diverse regions of the Cognac appellation, CAMUS became the first Cognac House to capture the unique marine notes of the Ile de Ré vineyards. Raised and aged on the island, CAMUS Ile de Ré Cognacs typically offer fresh iodine notes with hints of dried fruit with archetypal mellow softness. Produced in limited quantities, they offer a rich and unique taste experience. Camus also proposes a Masterpiece Collection of rare, limited cuvées, each consisting of a unique, exceptional blend presented in spectacular cases as well as Rarissimes vintages of most extraordinary Cognacs - certified under bailiff's supervision and bottled without reduction, allowing them to express the full strength of their aroma and character.
Made from 100% natural ingredients, including rare botanicals from the tundra region in the Canadian North: Nordic Juniper, Arctic Blend, Labrador Tea, Crowberry, Cloudberry and Wild Rose Hip. These botanicals are hand-harvested by the local Inuit population and Fair Trade purchased. Ungava Gin's unique color is the result of a post distillation herbal infusion. Its strong, distinctive branding reveals the Inuit language and culture to the world. Ungava has a lively and smooth character and offers fresh, floral and spicy flavors, making it ideal to serve both simply - on the rocks with a wedge of grapefruit - or mixed in both classic, and more innovative, cocktails.
