Diageo announces it has reached an agreement to acquire Mezcal Union through the acquisition of Casa UM. Mezcal Union was launched in 2011 by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs with the purpose of developing the category while generating positive social impact and preserving traditional production. Mezcal Union's founders will continue to be involved in the business to support the brand's future success and growth.

Diageo has worked in partnership with Mezcal Union since 2016, providing expertise and supporting growth of the brand's distribution network in Mexico, the United States, and other countries. Over this period, Mezcal Union's growth has accelerated, and they have integrated numerous Mezcal producers and agave farmers into their sustainability and community support programs, focused on contributing to local development in Oaxaca.

To continue promoting local development and ensure the sustainability credentials of its operations, Mezcal Union will preserve its mission of supporting traditional and artisanal production processes while continuing existing relationships with agave farmers and its network of mezcal master distillers in Oaxaca.

Monica Michel, Marketing and Innovation Director for Diageo in Mexico commented: 'Our story with Mezcal Union began with a distribution partnership in 2016 and we are now taking it to a new level. We are delighted to continue working with its founders and welcome this brand to our Reserve portfolio, which includes exceptional brands across exciting and fast-growing categories like tequila and mezcal.'

Over the last two years, Mezcal Union has become one of the leading Mezcal brands in bars and restaurants in Mexico1.

Alejandro Gutierrez Champion, co-founder at Mezcal Union added: 'We believe in the power of transformation through collaboration. This approach has supported both the growth of the brand and of local communities and agave farmers in Oaxaca. We are proud to have delighted consumers with an excellent artisanal-craft mezcal and are confident that as part of Diageo, one of the largest and most respected spirits companies in the world, Mezcal Union will continue to support development of the category, open doors to new markets and strengthen our brand mission.'

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