Vantguard has agreed a “minority stake” sale to high-profile DJ Carl Cox in its Islena brand.
The transaction, specific details of which were not disclosed, will also see Cox front “various Islena brand activations within the next months”, a spokesperson for the privately-owned company told Global Drinks Intel today. The news comes almost a month after Vantguard readied the divestment of Mediterranean gin brand Gin Mare to Brown-Forman, again for an undisclosed sum.
Carrying an ABV of 5%, Islena utilises the Spanish island of Ibiza, renowned for its well-established clubbing scene, as its main sales cue. The brand comprises two variants; Islena beer, “a light beer with a prominent taste”, and Islena Blue, which is a flavoured cider.
Speaking exclusively to Global Drinks Intel magazine last month, Vantguard CEO & co-founder Alfonso Morodo Alcala-Galiano said the company, which commenced operations in 2006, is “going to use the money [from the Gin Mare sale] to reinforce what we do”.
“We’re brand creators and we want to keep doing what we love,” Alcala-Galiano added.
The latest issue of Global Drinks Intel magazine, featuring the full interview with Alfonso Morodo Alcala-Galiano, was published last week. For subscription details, click here.
