Force Behind Angel’s Envy Seeks to Replicate Success with Portfolio of Premium, Artisan Brands Backed by Multi-Million Dollar Investments
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, February 23, 2016 — Following the successful exit of Angel’s Envy, industry veteran Jay Maltby now launches a new sales and marketing platform for artisan spirits, The Espiritus Group (www.e-spirit-us.com). Espiritus launches in partnership with a $30 million spirits venture fund. In addition to his success with Angel’s Envy, created in partnership with Lincoln Henderson and family, Maltby was also CEO of Cruzan Rum and he served on the executive committee at Bacardi USA.
“We’ve assembled a spirits portfolio all of which are in high-growth categories and share common attributes: artisanship, family ownership, financial stability, high quality and authenticity of story,” explains Mr. Maltby, Chairman, CEO of Espiritus. “We’ve also put together a team of over 20 industry veterans with complementary skill sets who share our entrepreneurial approach to the business.” The venture fund will invest $3 — $10 million in high-potential spirits brands.
The Espiritus Group portfolio, at launch, is comprised of Blue Nectar Tequila, Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, The Lost Distillery Scottish Whisky Company, Purus Organic Wheat Italian Vodka and Virginia Distillery Company Highland Malt Whisky).
“We offer our partners sales and marketing expertise together with the strategic execution that builds brands and creates long term value,” says Chuck Chand, Co-Founder and Espiritus Group COO. Espiritus has national distribution rights for all of the products in its portfolio and varying levels of equity participation in each.
“We work in partnership with the brand owners of each product to increase sales and distribution as well as build positive awareness through local marketing,” Maltby continued. “By joining brands that share common goals and attributes into a single portfolio, we can offer broader sales coverage and marketing efficiencies.”
Espiritus launches with a national salesforce that includes both industry veterans and young, up and coming sales professionals. Veteran agency partners are also brought in for specific marketing capabilities. “We run lean and keep the focus on local brand activation and long term brand building, which we believe is the path to success in today’s alcoholic beverage industry landscape,” says Maltby.
ABOUT THE ESPIRITUS GROUP
The Espiritus Group is an organic movement of spirits entrepreneurs, investors and operating partners who have deep experience in the industry and are looking for vehicles in which to participate alongside a veteran operating team. The company is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
