Sazerac, a US-based spirits company, has selected UK-based spirits and marketing company Hi-Spirits as its new distributor for its newly-acquired brands of Southern Comfort and Tuaca in the UK, beginning next month.

Hi-Spirits will be responsible for the distribution, which are now part of Sazerac’s portfolio that comprises other brands such as Buffalo Trace, Benchmark, George T Stagg and Eagle Rare whiskeys and Fireball with whisky and cinnamon.

Last week, the two brands were acquired from Brown-Forman for $542.4m last week. Southern Comfort and Tuaca were earlier part of Borwn-Forman’s lineup in the UK.

Hi-Spirits managing director Dan Bolton said: “Southern Comfort and Tuaca are both iconic brands, and a great fit with our expanding portfolio. With strong consumer followings we are looking forward to building further distribution across the UK on-trade, off-trade and travel retail channels.”

When Sazerac bought the two brands, it was stated that it intends to roll out a global integrated strategy for Southern Comfort in the next few months.

This strategy comprises review of the current portfolio and packaging. Later, the group will analyse any required changes or could make new additions to the range.

With regard to the acquisition, Sazerac senior marketing director Kevin Richards had then said: “When the brand came up for sale, we knew it would be the perfect addition to our portfolio.

“Not only does the brand tie perfectly with our heritage, it’s a wonderful complement to many of our other New Orleans rooted brandsWe’re looking forward to positioning iconic Southern Comfort for its next 140 years.”