Stolen Rum expands Australian presence

By Sacha Delfosse

Vanguard Luxury Brands has signed a one-year 'strategic agreement' with New Zealand's Stolen Rum to distribute its award-winning portfolio in Australia.

The agreement supports demand from bars and restaurants across Australia and is on the back of encouraging sales in both Sydney and Melbourne.

For the past nine months Stolen Rum has been selling its products "hand to hand" in Sydney and Melbourne, the brand's co-founder Jamie Duff said, and the deal with Vanguard Luxury Brands comes on the back of the encouraging sales and great interest in the rum from both bars and restaurants.

"We have had Jimmy in Sydney and Christian in Melbourne, two passionate and dedicated guys going into bars, telling the Stolen Rum story," Duff said.

"The hospitality industry in Melbourne and Sydney is full of characters who are passionate and curious; they are informed and knowledgeable and have a real appreciation for quality spirits. They appreciate a new take on rum and because of this we have carved out a following in both these cities."

The aim of the partnership with Vanguard Luxury Brands is to build on the strong following Stolen Rum has developed in these two cities and expand the brand's reach to other parts of Australia, especially Brisbane and Perth.

"Stolen is a fantastic and dynamic new brand that's already making waves among the industry's opinion leaders. We're delighted to have it in our portfolio for the next 12 months – it complements our other brands including Flor de Caña perfectly," Vanguard Luxury Brands managing director, James France, said.