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This Filipino company joins Diageo's impressive roster of top liquors and spirits
Founded by Stephen Carroll (former Rémy Cointreau executive) and his partners Andrew and Monica Garcia in 2012, Don Papa (under the Bleeding Heart Company, which also produced Santa Ana Gin) is a home-grown Filipino business that has gone global. Over the years, its trajectory has consistently been upward, and it now has a presence in over 30 countries, garnering a solid yet growing fan base. While founded in the Philippines, currently their largest markets are France and Germany.
Liquor mammoth UK-based Diageo announced its acquisition of Don Papa for a whopping €260 million with a possible earnout of €177.5 million through to 2028 subject to performance, reflecting the brand’s current growth potential. This significant investment in a Filipino product signals a bright future ahead and brings great pride to Filipinos.
“Diageo has a strong track record in nurturing founder-led brands. They believe in our unique story and have genuinely embraced our brand idea. We believe this acquisition is a great opportunity to take Don Papa into the next exciting chapter of its development,” says Stephen Carroll, founder of Don Papa Rum.
Rooted in Philippine culture, its celebrated hero rum is produced on the island of Negros Occidental (which they fondly named ‘Sugarlandia’) and the brand story itself embraces its Filipino heritage which is even woven into the distinctive package of every bottle. Every eye-catching case and label (from Masskara, Sevillana, to Sherry Cask, and Gayuma), not to mention event and activation for their products fit in seamlessly on any shelf and locale around the world, even when stacked up against the best longtime leaders in the industry.
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Don Papa’s rum has a recognisable flavour profile, distilled and aged in American oak barrels, you’ll notice sugar cane of course, and then hints of vanilla, honey and candied fruit. With a range of varieties in its product range, each rum boasts its own unique taste and is given a memorable storyline to boot.
John Kennedy, President of Diageo-Europe and India, commented: “We are excited by the opportunity to bring Don Papa into the Diageo portfolio to complement our existing rums. This acquisition is in line with our strategy to acquire high-growth brands with attractive margins that support premiumisation, and enables us to participate in the fast-growing super-premium plus segment.”
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We look forward to seeing how Don Papa evolves under Diageo's seasoned guidance, and are even more curious to learn about what journey Stephen Carroll, Andrew and Monica Garcia decide to embark on next.
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About
Isabel loves to learn, and see things from different perspectives. Connecting with people and engaging in new experiences to broaden her horizons is what inspires this storyteller, keeping her constantly curious, and excited for what's to come. An absolute love for all things F&B ignited a hunger to devour content from this world and keeps her jumping into tasty adventures around the globe. From the beauty of simple bites, to nuanced fine dining tasting menus, street food, and the art of entertaining, the multi-faceted nature of the dining experience is something she can't get enough of. A good cup of coffee or a glass of wine paired with a dash of witty conversation is a quick way to win her over. This editor loves travelling, food, music, skincare, fitness, and is only friends with people who love dogs. Guilty pleasure?: Binge-watching TV shows and movies she has already seen.
Work
Concept creation is the name of the game and branding takes centre stage in Isabel's day-to-day schedule. From producing shoots, conceptualising bespoke projects for our partners, relationship management, to cooking up features and events for Tatler Dining, this editor is a tried and tested foodie at heart. She mainly writes content for Tatler Dining, engaging in captivating discussions with restaurateurs, chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts to tell must-know stories. Aside from that Isabel manages Tatler Dining's flagship events like Off Menu, or Cocktail Festival and puts together the Tatler Dining Guide, our annual listing of the best eats around town.
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