By Andy Young
Independent beverage distributor island2island (i2i) will take over the importing and distribution of Jose Cuervo International brands from next month.
From 8 October i2i will be responsible for the distribution of the brands throughout Australia and the South Pacific Islands.
The new deal means that Jose Cuervo's existing distribution arrangement with Think Spirits will come to an end.
In a statement i2i confirmed it will take responsibility for the "Jose Cuervo Tequila portfolio, 1800 Tequila, Gran Centenario Tequila, Agavero Liqueur, Boodles British Gin and The Kraken Black Spiced Rum in this market".
Also i2i will take over the distribution of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, which is also part of the Jose Cuervo International portfolio. That distribution deal will start on 1 October.
Jose Cuervo is the world's biggest selling tequila and is owned by the Beckmann family. The family also owns Proximo Spirits, which took over the distribution of Jose Cuervo from Diageo in 2013.
Their business strategy wasn’t sustainable in the long term- Never seen such ridiculous deals done in trade to buy business. Should have just handed over bags of money and saved everyone some time.