Diageo has announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Don Papa Rum for an initial €260 million.
Owner of Captain Morgan, Diageo would also consider additional payment of up to €177.5 million through to 2028 subject to performance, reflecting the Filipino brand’s current growth potential.
John Kennedy, president, Diageo Europe and India, said: “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.”
The super-premium plus segment of the rum category is in the early stages of premiumisation, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% in Europe and 27% in the US between 2016-2021, according to IWSR, cited by Diageo.
During the same period, Don Papa Rum consistently outperformed the market in Europe, delivering a 29% CAGR.
Launched in 2012 by entrepreneur Stephen Carroll, together with Andrew John Garcia, Don Papa Rum is currently available in 30 countries, with France, Germany and Italy being its largest markets.
Carroll said: “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.”
Carroll will remain involved with the brand, working alongside Diageo to build on Don Papa Rum’s growth potential. The acquisition will be funded through existing cash reserves and is expected to close in the first half of 2023.