Pernod Ricard’s Canadian affiliate Corby to acquire majority stake in Ace Beverage Group Canadian RTD market leader

Established in 2020, through the merger of Cottage Springs (founded 2013) and Ace Hill (founded 2015), Ace Beverage Group has become a Canadian RTD leader. Its flagship brand Cottage Springs is the leading RTD brand in Ontario, with bestselling products that include Cottage Springs Vodka Soda, Vodka Water and Tequila Soda. ABG also boasts a rich and diversified portfolio of other brands such as, Ace Hill, Cabana Coast and Liberty Village.
       
       This acquisition enables Corby to add scale, expertise, agility and efficiencies in the dynamic Canadian RTD category. Canada is indeed one of the top global RTD markets and RTDs are one of the fastest growing beverage alcohol categories, enjoying +20% year on year growth between 2016 and 2021, and expected to pursue double-digit rate increases in coming years .  

Additionally, ABG will benefit from Corby’s powerful and extensive distribution network to support its brands in further growing their presence across Canada. 

“Corby’s sustained growth, as well as Pernod Ricard's, relies on our ability to bring even more exciting choices to our consumers, by continually expanding into new and promising categories. RTDs are one such category and we are excited to partner with such visionary entrepreneurs to further develop our rich portfolio of RTDs now made up of ABG, Corby and Pernod Ricard brands” said Nicolas Krantz, President and CEO of Corby.  

“With ABG, Corby becomes a key player in the Canadian RTD market, giving the scale and synergies needed in this category. It is well aligned with our ambition of building a global RTD business and capture our fair share”, added Fredrik Syrén, Global Managing Director of RTD & Convenience at Pernod Ricard.
     
“We are thrilled to join Corby, and are extremely proud of Ace’s journey and accomplishments to date. As we begin this next chapter, we believe the combined expertise, experience and resources will help our businesses take the next step in our shared ambition of continuing to develop industry-leading beverages for consumers.” said Cam McDonald, Co-Founder of Ace Beverage Group.

About Corby
Corby is Canada’s second largest marketer and distributor of spirits & wines, and is majority owned by Pernod Ricard. The company owns or represents many of the 25 top-selling brands in the country and support its brands with innovative and award-winning marketing campaigns and events. In addition to sales across Canada, Corby products are also exported for sale to the United States, Europe and other international markets. Corby’s portfolio includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser’s, Lot No.40, Pike Creek and Gooderham & Worts Canadian whiskies. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard, Corby also represents leading international brands such as Absolut vodka, Chivas Regal, Aberlour, The Glenlivet and Ballantine’s Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey and Beefeater gin. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B.  For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. (ADD HYPERLINKS).

Corby contacts
Valerie Brive-Turtle / Senior Director, Communications and PR                +1 416 705 8013

ABG 
Cam McDonald                                                                                                   +1 416-400-2023