Bacardi will restructure its U.S. distribution network from 1 January 2027, following new agreements with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Reyes Beverage Group announced on 28 October 2026. The changes follow a review of its U.S. wholesale arrangements.
Under the new agreements, Reyes will distribute the Bacardi portfolio for the first time across 11 markets: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. Southern Glazer’s will continue as distributor or broker in 36 states, including Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The company remains Bacardi’s largest U.S. distributor by volume.
The portfolio covered by the agreements includes Bacardí rum, Patrón tequila, Grey Goose vodka, Dewar’s Blended Scotch Whisky, Bombay Sapphire gin, Cazadores tequila, Angel’s Envy American straight whisky and St-Germain elderflower liqueur. Bacardi said the revised structure is intended to support execution and long-term growth. Teams from the three companies will work together in the coming months to manage the transition.
Reyes Beverage Group is the largest beer distributor in the United States and has expanded its wine and spirits business in recent years. It already works with suppliers including Sazerac, Tito’s, Brown-Forman and Gallo in selected states. The addition of the full Bacardi portfolio in these 11 markets extends that expansion. Several of the territories align with markets where Reyes has grown its spirits and wine operations.
Tony Latham, regional president for Bacardi North America, said the company is entering the next phase with partners that share a long-term approach. “Growth is never achieved alone, and success depends on the strength of the partnerships behind it,” he said. Tom Day, chief executive of Reyes Beverage Group, said the appointment reflects confidence in the company’s capabilities. “We are honored Bacardi USA has selected Reyes Beverage Group as its strategic partner across these 11 key markets,” he said.
Southern Glazer’s will continue to serve the Bacardi portfolio in the majority of U.S. states. Wayne E. Chaplin, president and chief executive of Southern Glazer’s, noted the companies’ work together over the past decade and said the distributor expects to build on that in the 36 markets it retains. Bacardi has described Southern Glazer’s as a longstanding partner whose contribution remains significant.
The shift places the Bacardi portfolio with Reyes in several large and commercially active states. California, Texas and Florida are among the country’s largest and most commercially significant beverage markets. Rum, tequila and vodka lines within the portfolio have different primary channels and sales priorities. Changes in distributor alignment can affect account coverage, the attention given by sales teams and the relative priority of brands within a wholesaler’s broader book.
The agreements take effect on 1 January 2027. In the intervening months, the companies have said they will coordinate to maintain service levels. The practical points of transition include inventory management, the transfer of customer relationships and the integration of sales teams with the Bacardi portfolio in the new markets. How these elements are handled will shape continuity for retailers and on-premise accounts at the start of the year.
