Coca-Cola HBC to buy Finlandia vodka brand from Brown-Forman

Coca-Cola HBC on Monday announced that it is acquiring the Finlandia vodka brand from Brown-Forman, said Anora Group in a press release.

Anora, a leading Nordic wine and spirits brand house and the global distiller and bottler of Finlandia vodka, which is also the distributor of Finlandia vodka in Finland, Sweden and Norway.

The strategic long-term collaboration Anora has had with Brown-Forman will now continue between Anora and Coca-Cola HBC.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

Finlandia was established in 1970 and is a leading vodka brand in Central and Eastern Europe with annual volumes of 2.7 million 9L cases globally, of which more than 60% are being generated within Coca-Cola HBC’s geographic footprint.

Under a long-term production services agreement that runs until 2035, Anora is the global producer of Finlandia vodka, covering distillation and bottling. The brand was sold by former Altia (today Anora) to US-based Brown-Forman Corporation in multiple phases, from 2000 to 2004.

”Finlandia vodka, produced by Anora from the pure natural ingredients of Finnish barley and water, is an important part of Anora’s history and heritage, first as brand owner and later as the producer for global markets pursuant to a strategic partnership with Brown-Forman. We look forward to continuing and deepening the strategic partnership with Coca-Cola HBC,” said Pekka Tennilä, Chief Executive Officer of Anora Group Plc.