CLERMONT, Ky., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Basil Hayden, the Bourbon Born to Surprise, announced the introduction of a new limited-edition release: Basil Hayden® Cognac Cask Reserve.

What is Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve?

• Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is a new, limited-edition bourbon that retains the brand's signature high-rye mashbill and 80-proof bottling, while combining Kentucky bourbon craftsmanship with French cognac character, creating a beautifully balanced bourbon.
• Embodying the concept of "something familiar made new," the spirit is finished in specially selected French oak casks that previously held Cognac exclusively for 20–25 years, bringing decades of Cognac character to Basil Hayden's signature light, bright and approachable flavor profile while imparting layers of elegant complexity.
• The first expression in the Basil Hayden portfolio to reimagine the brand's approachable high-rye profile as a passport to flavors from around the world.

What does Cognac Cask Reserve taste like, and how should it be enjoyed?

• The Cognac Cask finish reveals tasting notes of warm caramel sweetness and dried fruit, enriched by Basil Hayden's signature subtle spice, vanilla and oak, adding depth and complexity to this limited release.
• Best enjoyed neat, over ice or in sparkling bourbon cocktails like the signature Basil Hayden 75 or the Sparkling Bourbon Sidecar.

"Basil Hayden Cognac Cask reflects our commitment to honoring the brand's original bourbon while continuing to explore what's possible within the category," says Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. "This expression was thoughtfully crafted to deliver a distinctive yet approachable experience. French Cognac casks let us take our Basil Hayden signature profile that people know and love and put a twist on it, and we're incredibly proud to share it with bourbon and cognac drinkers alike."

Where can I purchase it?

Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve is now available for purchase at exclusive retailers with an SRP of $49.99. To discover more about the release and news from Basil Hayden, visit basilhaydenbourbon.com

MONTREAL, Sept. 1, 2026 /CNW/ -- Dunville's Irish Whiskey is pleased to announce a new partnership with Dandurand, one of Canada's leading alcohol companies, to expand the brand's presence across the Canadian market.

Through this agreement, Dandurand will represent Dunville's portfolio of award-winning Irish whiskeys nationwide, supporting the continued growth of the category and introducing one of Ireland's most celebrated whiskey brands to consumers across Canada, with the transition in Alberta expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Renowned for its exceptional range of Irish single malts and premium blends, Dunville's has earned international acclaim for its distinctive sherry cask finishes and commitment to craftsmanship. The brand has been named Ireland's Best Whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards three times (2022, 2023 and 2025), further cementing its reputation among whiskey enthusiasts worldwide.

The partnership marks another important milestone in Dunville's international growth strategy, following recent distribution agreements in India, South Africa and Hungary, and reflects the growing demand for premium Irish whiskey in global markets.

Stephen Magennis, Head of Global Sales at Dunville's Irish Whiskey, said:

"With Irish whiskey exports to Canada growing by approximately 25% in 2025-26*, Canada represents a significant opportunity for Dunville's and a market where our whiskeys have always been warmly received. We are delighted to partner with Dandurand to further expand our presence across the country and share more than 200 years of Irish whiskey heritage with Canadian consumers.

Dandurand's expertise, national reach and deep understanding of the Canadian market make them an ideal partner to support our long-term growth ambitions. We look forward to introducing more consumers to Ireland's Best Whiskey and continuing to build the Dunville's brand across Canada."

Founded in Belfast in 1808, Dunville's was once among the world's most recognized whiskey brands. After disappearing in the 1930s, it became one of Ireland's most celebrated lost whiskeys before being revived by The Echlinville Distillery in 2012. Today, the brand continues its journey of restoration and growth, bringing exceptional Irish whiskey to consumers around the world.

Elias Aoun, President & COO of Dandurand, added:

"Dandurand is committed to building long-term partnerships with producers who share our ambition to grow exceptional brands in Canada. We are excited to welcome Dunville's Irish Whisky to our portfolio and believe there is a tremendous opportunity to further develop the premium Irish whisky category across the country.

By combining Dunville's rich heritage and award-winning portfolio with Dandurand's national commercial platform, we look forward to introducing more Canadian consumers to this outstanding Irish whiskey and supporting the brand's long-term growth."

For more information on Dunville's Irish Whiskey, visit dunvilleswhiskey.com or echlinville.com/brands/dunvilles

Three ingredients - vodka, sparkling water and natural flavour - hit B.C. shelves this September ahead of a national rollout.

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 27, 2026 /CNW/ -- EXACTLY™ Vodka Soda, a proudly Canadian ready-to-drink brand built on just three simple ingredients: vodka, sparkling water and natural flavour, launches this September across British Columbia, with a scaled national rollout to follow. Created by Paul & Melissa Meehan, the founders of NÜTRL Vodka, EXACTLY marks their return to the category with a new take on what a vodka soda should be: simple. EXACTLY arrives in four flavours: Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit and Cranberry, offering Canadians a vodka soda with nothing to hide and nothing it doesn't need.

At a time when ready-to-drink coolers have become a maze of sweeteners, artificial flavours, enhancers and unpronounceable additives, EXACTLY takes the opposite path. Every can contains vodka, sparkling water and natural flavour - that's it. The result: 0 g of carbs, no added sugar, no preservatives, and 100 calories per 355mL can at 5% ABV. It isn't a seltzer dressed up as a vodka soda. It's a vodka soda, exactly as it should be.

The RTD category is now one of the most crowded aisles in the liquor store, with hundreds of products competing on novelty rather than quality. EXACTLY cuts through that clutter with radical simplicity: a clean ingredient list consumers can read in one breath, a crisp modern can, and a product that delivers exactly what it promises.

"I kept looking for a vodka soda that was just that: vodka, soda and real flavour, nothing else. It didn't exist. Everything on the shelf had something in it I didn't want," said Paul Meehan, Founder of NÜTRL Vodka and EXACTLY Vodka Soda. "So, I built the drink I couldn't find. I created EXACTLY what I wanted, and it turns out a lot of Canadians have been waiting for the same thing."

The launch also lands at a defining moment for Canadian consumers. Most of the biggest brands in the category are now owned by international beverage conglomerates, even as trade tensions and cross-border negotiations push Canadians to look harder at who actually owns what's in their cart. EXACTLY is 100% Canadian owned and 100% produced in Canada - a locally made answer at a time when "buy Canadian" has never mattered more.

"British Columbia is where the modern vodka soda category was born in Canada, and it's home for us," said Meehan. "Consumers here know the category incredibly well, so it felt like the natural place to introduce EXACTLY first."

Availability

EXACTLY Vodka Soda arrives on shelves across British Columbia this September in Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit and Cranberry flavours, available in 6-packs of 355mL cans at BC private retailers province-wide. A scaled national rollout to additional provinces will follow, with market-by-market timing to be announced.

TORONTO, Aug. 26, 2026 /CNW/ -- Corby Spirit and Wine Limited ("Corby" or the "Company") (TSX: CSW.A) (TSX: CSW.B), a leading Canadian manufacturer, marketer and importer of spirits, wines and ready-to-drink cocktails ("RTDs"), today announced its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ("Q4") and the year-ended June 30, 2026 ("FY26").

Record full-year results with 11% organic revenue growth, driven by continued RTD expansion and market share gains in spirits

Q4 Revenue of $71.1 million (-1% year-over-year) and Organic Revenue¹ flat

FY26 Revenue of $271.6 million (+10%) and Organic Revenue¹ +11%

Q4 Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $14.7 million (-5%)

FY26 Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $67.5 million (+5%)

Q4 Adjusted Net Earnings¹ of $7.4 million (-1%) (Reported +4%)

FY26 Adjusted Net Earnings¹ of $35.1 million (+15%) (Reported +22%)

Quarterly Dividend declared $0.25 per share, an increase of +4.2%

This press release comprises three announcements: Q4 and Full-Year Financial Results, Canadian Representation Agreement Renewal with Pernod Ricard, and Corby Board of Directors' Changes

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Q4 FY26 results: Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was $71.1 million, a decrease of $0.9 million or 1% compared to the same period last year. Organic revenue¹, which excludes the contributions in both the current period and the comparable period from non-core brands that have been disposed, was flat year-over-year driven by the following:

• Domestic case goods revenue of $57.7 million, down 2% year-over-year, impacted by the expected unfavourable impact of LCBO order phasing in Q4 (orders were pulled forward in Q3 in anticipation of an LCBO enterprise resource planning system upgrade). However, this was offset by the continued strength and growth in the RTD business, benefitting from the LCBO markup change in Ontario and expansion across Western Canada and Ontario with route-to-market modernization. In addition, Corby's spirits business continued to benefit from the removal of US-origin products from retail shelves in key provinces;
• Commissions of $7.3 million, down 5% year-over-year, impacted by overall softer performances from imported spirits and RTDs, and wines portfolio lapping higher comparative basis in the prior year. However, this was offset slightly by the inclusion of the Canada Dry Mott's Inc. ("CDMI") RTD portfolio through the recent representation agreement;
• Export case goods sales of $5.2 million, up 37% year-over-year, on strong shipment growth in the U.S. and U.K. as the comparative period was unfavourably impacted by shipment phasing in both markets.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, gross margin rate increased 140 bps to 49% despite Corby RTDs comprising a greater share of total revenue, benefitting from margin optimization within the RTD portfolio and export spirits.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, marketing, sales and administrative expenses were $23.7 million (flat year-over-year), despite unfavourable phasing impact in marketing expenses, reflecting targeted investment behind key brands and careful resource management to support the rapid growth of Corby's RTD business.

Earnings from Operations and Adjusted Earnings from Operations¹ totaled $10.9 million and $11.8 million respectively in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, representing year-over-year growth of 4% and 3%, respectively – a deceleration from Q3's pace, consistent with the anticipated Q4 softening as LCBO ordering patterns normalize and spirits market declines persisted.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 was $14.7 million, a decrease of 5% compared to the same period last year. Net Earnings was $6.5 million and Adjusted Net Earnings¹ was $7.4 million in Q4 FY26, an increase of 4% and decrease of 1% year-over-year, respectively.

Full Year FY26 results: Revenue for FY26 totaled $271.6 million, an increase of $24.9 million or 10% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of non-core disposed brands in both the current period and the comparable period, organic revenue¹ grew $27.1 million or 11%, a record revenue level for the company. The key drivers are:

• Domestic case goods revenue of $219.7 million, up 13% year-over-year, driven by the continued expansion of the RTD business across key provinces and market share gains in spirits partly due to the removal of US-origin products from retail shelves in key provinces;  
• Commissions revenue of $29.4 million, down 4% year-over-year, impacted by the represented wines portfolio lapping a higher comparison basis in the prior year. This was offset slightly by the inclusion of the CDMI RTDs portfolio through the recent representation agreement;
• Export revenue of $18.2 million, up 22% year-over-year, driven by new channel pipeline fill in strategic Eastern European markets, J.P. Wiser's growth in U.S., and improved volume-to-value conversion of Lamb's rum in the UK.

In fiscal 2026, gross margin rate declined slightly by 92 bps to 49% due primarily to greater share of RTDs in total revenue, higher input costs for domestic spirits and lower commission income. However, this was offset by margin optimization within the RTD portfolio and export spirits portfolio.

Marketing, sales and administrative expenses were $80.0 million in FY26, an increase of $3.0 million, or 4% compared to the prior-year period, significantly below revenue growth, reflecting ongoing diligent cost management. Those investments reflect continued support for the growing RTD business, brand-building initiatives, and strategic partnerships for our spirits brands – notably the J.P. Wiser's multi-year Canadian partnership with the National Hockey League.

Earnings from Operations and Adjusted Earnings from Operations¹ both totaled $53.7 million in FY26, increasing by 16% and 12% year-over-year, respectively. Strong revenue growth and diligent cost management was partly offset by an RTD-skewed portfolio mix and channel mix impacts on gross margin (though RTD portfolio experiencing margin optimization).

Adjusted EBITDA¹ in FY26 was $67.5 million, an increase of 5% compared to the same period last year. The wine representation agreement with Vinarchy, signed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, resulted in lower amortization of upfront fees relative to when the brands were owned by Pernod Ricard in the same period last year, resulting in a slower growth rate in Adjusted EBITDA¹ compared to Adjusted Earnings from Operations¹. Average annualized cash flows over the life of the agreements are expected to remain broadly consistent.

Corby reported Net Earnings of $33.4 million and Adjusted Net Earnings¹ of $35.1 million in FY26, an increase of 22% and 15% year-over-year, respectively.

Corby's cash flow from operating activities totalled $37.1 million in FY26, a decrease of $7.7 million or 17% year-over-year, with stronger earnings from operations offset by increased working capital requirements and higher income tax payments. Working capital changes were driven by increased receivables due to evolving customer base and increased inventory to support RTD business growth. Higher income tax payments reflected increased required instalments and the absence of a prior-year tax refund. Despite this, Corby closed FY26 with a Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA¹ ratio (on a rolling 12-month basis) of 1.3x, illustrating the continued health of its balance sheet.

Corby's President and Chief Executive Officer, Florence Tresarrieu, stated,

"Fiscal 2026 was a pivotal year for Corby. We delivered double-digit revenue growth despite a challenging and volatile industry environment, driven by the continued expansion of our RTD portfolio and the resilience of our spirits business. Earnings growth outpaced revenue growth through disciplined cost management and strong commercial execution, underscoring the strength of our strategy, portfolio, and partnerships.

We also took important steps to further sharpen our portfolio and position the business for long-term value creation. The divestment of certain non-core ABG brands allows us to focus upon growing our position as one of the leading RTD players in Canada while the disposal of the Lamb's brand further aligned our portfolio with higher-margin growth opportunities and our strategic priorities.

Looking ahead, we expect FY27 to bring continued market uncertainty, including questions around the return of U.S. products to Canadian shelves and a more challenging comparison base following this year's strong performance. Even so, we remain focused on delivering profitable growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet and supporting a sustainable dividend for shareholders.

We will achieve this through continued investment behind our core brands and building on the momentum of our RTD business, while maintaining disciplined cost management."

For further details, please refer to Corby's Management's Discussion and Analysis and interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three-months and year-ended June 30, 2026, prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.corby.ca/investors.

MARKET TRENDS

Complete fourth quarter Ontario market data was not available at the time of reporting. Given Ontario's significance within the Canadian spirits & RTD market, excluding Ontario would materially affect the representativeness of national market results. Accordingly, Q3 has been used as the basis for assessing Corby's performance relative to the industry – please refer to the Q3 press release for market trend analysis.

QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

The Corby Board of Directors is pleased to declare a regular quarterly dividend of $0.25 per Voting Class A Common Share and Non-Voting Class B Common Share of the Company, an increase of $0.01, or +4.2% from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share. This dividend is payable on September 25, 2026, to shareholders of record as at the close of business on September 11, 2026. The Board of Directors assesses the dividend on a quarterly basis. Prior to this announcement, the quarterly dividend was last increased concurrently with the release of Q2 FY26 results.

CANADIAN REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT RENEWAL

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited ("Corby") and Pernod Ricard S.A. ("Pernod Ricard") announced today that they have entered into an agreement concerning the renewal of the representation of Pernod Ricard's brands by Corby in the Canadian market.

Pernod Ricard is the world's second largest spirits company, with iconic, premium, international brands, including Absolut vodka, Jameson Irish whiskey, The Glenlivet single malt Scotch whisky, Beefeater, Monkey 47 and Malfy gins, Malibu rum, Kahlúa liqueur, Ballantine's and Chivas Regal blended Scotch whiskies, and Perrier Jouet and Mumm champagnes. The continued representation of Pernod Ricard's brands by Corby solidifies Corby's position as the second largest spirits company in Canada, providing Canadian consumers a world class offering of iconic Canadian and premium international brands.

"For two decades, Corby has been a trusted partner in building Pernod Ricard's brands in Canada, combining deep market knowledge, strong execution and a shared commitment to creating moments of conviviality. This renewal reflects our confidence in Corby and our ambition to continue growing our iconic brands together in this important market," said Conor McQuaid, Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard North America.

Under the existing representation agreement that was due to expire on September 30, 2026, Corby achieved the performance criteria and was eligible for an automatic renewal for three years. The agreement announced today provides that, as of October 1, 2026, Corby's exclusive right to represent Pernod Ricard's brands in Canada will continue for three years until September 30, 2029, with the potential for automatic renewal for a further two years thereafter, subject to the terms of the agreement. The companies expect to also announce the renewal of the production and administrative services agreements before the upcoming deadline. 

"This renewal reflects the strength of Corby's long-standing relationship with Pernod Ricard and Corby's proven ability to build its brands in Canada. It preserves Corby's exclusive access to a world-class portfolio of premium international brands, supports scale and competitive strength in the Canadian market, and provides greater visibility and continuity with respect to an important earnings stream. Following a thorough review, the Board believes the agreement is in Corby's best interests and provides a strong platform to create sustainable long-term value for Corby and all of its shareholders," said Lucio Di Clemente, Chair of the Corby Board of Directors.

Corby anticipates that the transaction will provide continuity and greater assurance with respect to earnings. "This renewal gives Corby continued access to some of the world's most recognized premium spirits brands and strengthens the breadth, scale and competitiveness of our portfolio. Together with our iconic Canadian brands, including J.P. Wiser's and Cottage Springs, the Pernod Ricard portfolio positions us to serve consumers across key categories and occasions, accelerate sustainable growth and create value for all shareholders," said Florence Tresarrieu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corby. By continuing Canadian representation of the Pernod Ricard portfolio of brands, this renewal allows Corby to maintain annual commission income as an important revenue stream ($29.4 million in fiscal year 2026) and will be secured through the payment on October 1, 2026 of an upfront fee of $18.7 million to Pernod Ricard by Corby from Corby's deposits in cash management pools.

As Pernod Ricard owns approximately 46% of the capital of Corby, the representation agreement was approved by the Independent Committee of the Corby Board of Directors, in accordance with Corby's related party transaction policy, following an extensive review of the agreement by the members of such committee, with external financial and legal advice. Based upon the advice received, the independent committee anticipates that the renewal of the agreement will be value accretive to Corby.

CORBY BOARD OF DIRECTORS' CHANGES

Corby also announced that Helga Reidel and Anne-Marie Poliquin will not stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Ms. Reidel is an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee; Ms. Poliquin has served as a director and strategic advisor to the Board.

As part of its succession planning, the Board has approved a reduction from nine to seven directors following the upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board believes this size supports effective oversight and an appropriate mix of skills, experience and independence. It remains within the range authorized by the Company's articles and approved by shareholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

"On behalf of the Board and management, I thank Helga and Anne-Marie for their significant contributions to Corby," said Lucio Di Clemente, Chair of the Board. "Helga strengthened the Company's financial oversight as Chair of the Audit Committee, and Anne-Marie provided valuable strategic counsel. We are grateful for their dedicated service."

Mr. Di Clemente will serve as interim Chair of the Audit Committee until the Board appoints Ms. Reidel's successor following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The management proxy circular will identify the Board nominees and will be available on SEDAR+ and the Company's website.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE CALL

Corby management will host a conference call on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (EST) to review and discuss the financial and operational results for the Q4 and FY26 periods. Corby welcomes stakeholders, investors, and other individual followers to access the conference call by dialing 1-437-900-0527 or toll free 1-888-510-2154 before the start of the call, or by joining via webcast at Corby Spirit and Wine Limited – Q4 Earnings Call. Following the conclusion of the call, a playback of the conference call will be available for 7 days by calling 289-819-1450 or 888-660-6345 and entering passcode 79687 #. A replay of the webcast will also be posted on Corby's website under the "Investors" section at www.corby.ca/investors.