Proof Drinks has announced the passing of its co-founder, James McDermott.
McDermott, 47, co-founded Proof Drinks in 2010 alongside Paul Ferguson, building a portfolio of brands including Cazcabel, Lyre’s, Duppy Share, Finlandia, Ramsbury, Brockmans and the Heaven Hill and Gruppo Montenegro portfolios.
McDermott was instrumental in establishing Proof Drinks as one of the key UK distributors, with a team of more than 60 staff. In 2019, Proof expanded into the APAC region with the launch of Proof Drinks Australia.
Alongside the Vasquez family, McDermott co-founded Cazcabel Tequila and a host of other brands, under the Vamos Drinks Company, such as CUT Rum, and Blend liqueurs.
Paul Ferguson, co-founder of Proof Drinks, said: "We are all deeply saddened by James' passing. He was a true friend to so many, both within Proof and across the industry.
"We built Proof together from the ground-up, with our personal values driving the business forward; finding the people, brands and partners that believed in our vision and embodied how we felt about the industry we loved. It is heartbreaking to have lost James so suddenly, he will be so greatly missed by everyone.”