Distil will shift U.K. distribution to Fortitude Drinks in 2026

Distil said it will hand management of its U.K. distribution to Fortitude Drinks from August 2026, a move the London-listed spirits company expects will lower logistics and packaging costs and speed up product development across its brands.

The company announced the change in a market update published through Investegate. Distil said the new arrangement will also give it access to the canning line of ICB Drinks, which it valued at £10 million, as it looks to accelerate launches in categories including ready-to-drink products.

Distil owns and markets a portfolio of spirits brands that includes gin, vodka and rum. By shifting distribution to Fortitude, the company is seeking tighter links between warehousing, packaging and route-to-market operations in Britain, where off-trade competition remains intense and producers are under pressure to manage costs while keeping new products moving into retail channels.

The decision matters beyond Distil’s own business because it points to a broader push in the drinks sector toward more integrated supply chains. If the arrangement works as planned, it could help Distil bring canned and other convenience-led formats to market faster, an area that has become more important as spirits groups try to capture demand for RTD products in supermarkets and other retail outlets. It may also show how smaller brand owners are trying to improve margins by combining distribution with packaging capabilities rather than treating them as separate functions.

Distil did not disclose financial terms for the appointment in the announcement. The company framed the change as an operational step designed to improve efficiency in its home market starting next month.