Brown-Forman Corp.

Brown-Forman Corp. is to cease distribution of Wray & Nephew Group premium rums, including Appleton Estate rum, in the United States in April, ending a six-year relationship between the two companies. The group will also stop selling Amarula cream liqueur in the United States at the end of February, in a decision unrelated to the first. Rival rum maker Angostura Ltd, part of the CL Financial conglomerate, made an offer to buy a 49% stake in the parent company of Wray & Nephew, in a deal that could be tied by the end of this month. CL Financial's other assets include a majority stake in U.S. drinks distributor and producer Todhunter. Distribution of Amarula, as well as of fellow Distell brand Durbanville Hills wines, will hand over to AV Brands on March 1, 2007. Brown-Forman also said it will stop distributing Durbanville in the UK from that date.