Italian gin is it

Italy | The gin revival washes ashore in Italy. Known for its wines and grappe, it has become quietly known for its gins. There are now more than 30 Italian gin brands which are considered a must-try.

No wonder that the world’s major drinks companies, Diageo and Pernod Ricard have piled in on it. On 20 June, Pernod Ricard confirmed it has bought Malfy, a gin brand inspired by the Amalfi coast, from New Jersey-based Biggar & Leith for an undisclosed sum. Allegedly, Amalfi was the birthplace of Gin, where in 1050 Monks blended juniper (Ginepro in Italian) and spirit. Thus gin was born.

Biggar & Leith was founded in 2016 by drinks industry veteran Elwyn Gladstone. At a previous position he helped launch Hendrick’s gin. According to Shanken news, Malfy sold 90,000 cases globally in 2018.

Malfy joins Pernod’s largest gin brands – Beefeater, Plymouth and Seagram’s – in the company’s The Gin Hub. The stand-alone business, set up in September 2017, focuses on the development of Pernod Ricard’s international premium gin brands.

The Malfy Gin range is currently available in more than 30 markets, including the US, UK and Germany, it was reported.

Meanwhile, Diageo has added a super-premium Italian gin to its portfolio by opening a USD 450,000 distillery in Santa Vittoria d’Alba, a Piemonte village, some 60 km south of Torino.

Called Villa Ascenti, the gin is initially going on sale in 14 European countries. The distillery is working with farmers in the area to source local ingredients, including Moscato grapes, mint and thyme.

Gin represented 4 percent (or USD 350 million) of Diageo’s net sales during the first half of its 2019 financial year (ended 31 December 2018). Diageo’s biggest gin brands are Gordon’s and Tanqueray.