Sydney Rum Distillery has acquired The Small Batch Spirits Company, which makes the rum brand Cargo Cult, which will join the Sydney company’s House of Australian Rum.
The distillery will add two exclusive Cargo Cult products to its portfolio: Cargo’s Dry Spiced and Banana Spiced. Jonny Croft, the brand’s founder, will join the leadership team as CMO and director of Sydney Rum Distillery. The terms of the transaction are also undisclosed.
“It is time to scale and elevate our portfolio to a wider consumer audience across Europe and even into North America, whilst we support Amber Beverage here in Australia,” said Croft.
“We see a huge opportunity in the rum category, with significant opportunity to drive premiumisation and invite in new consumers with authentic unique and innovative brands.”
Founded in 2014, Cargo Cult focuses on making rum with no added sugar and using botanicals such as ginger, clove, cinnamon and cardamom.
Describing the deal as the beginning of a strategic expansion, Steve Magarry, CEO at Sydney Rum Distillery, said it would open the door to numerous opportunities throughout Asia Pacific and Australia.
“Our ‘House of Australian rum’ portfolio strategy is to evaluate collaborate and partner with like-minded rum producers and brands as the industry expands,” Magarry added.
