AVIATION AMERICAN GIN INTRODUCES ITS FIRST-EVER FLAVOR INNOVATION: CRANBERRY & BLOOD ORANGE

Rhea-AI Summary

Aviation American Gin (NYSE:DEO) launched its first flavor innovation in over two decades: Cranberry & Blood Orange Flavored Gin on February 26, 2026. The new permanent SKU blends tart cranberry and citrus-forward blood orange with Aviation's botanical profile for easy at-home cocktailing.

Co-owner Ryan Reynolds stars in a launch video; Diageo marketing highlights versatility across cocktails like the Bloody Good Mimosa, Blimey Fizz, and Crimson Cosmo. The product is available nationwide; more details at aviationgin.com and @AviationGin.

Key Figures

Reported net sales: $20.2bn Organic net sales growth: 1.7% Operating profit change: -27.8% +5 more

8 metrics

Reported net sales $20.2bn Fiscal 2025 reported net sales, effectively flat year-on-year (-0.1%)

Organic net sales growth 1.7% Fiscal 2025 organic net sales growth driven by volume and price/mix

Operating profit change -27.8% Fiscal 2025 reported operating profit decline versus prior year

EPS before exceptionals 164.2c Fiscal 2025 EPS before exceptional items

Free cash flow $2.75bn Fiscal 2025 free cash flow

Net debt $21.85bn Net debt position reported in Fiscal 2025 Annual Report

Target annual FCF $3bn Accelerate programme target sustained annual free cash flow from fiscal 2026

Planned cost savings $625m Accelerate programme cost savings target over three years

Market Reality Check

Price: $86.15 Vol: Volume 9,478,269 is 4.94x...

high vol

$86.15 Last Close

Volume Volume 9,478,269 is 4.94x the 20-day average of 1,919,023, signaling unusually heavy trading. high

Technical Price at $86.15 is below the 200-day MA $99.08 and sits close to the 52-week low of $84.52.

Peers on Argus

DEO fell 15.65% while key beverage peers were mostly positive: MNST +0.57%, CCEP...

DEO fell 15.65% while key beverage peers were mostly positive: MNST +0.57%, CCEP +0.95%, ABEV +0.31%, FMX +3.7%, with only BUD slightly down -0.63%. Moves diverge from the peer group.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 10 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 10	Brand activation	Positive	+2.0%	Captain Morgan fan activations and Super Bowl LX experience campaign.
Feb 05	New whisky launch	Positive	-0.2%	Lagavulin 11 Year Old Sweet Peat permanent expression announcement.
Feb 05	Cause-marketing launch	Positive	-0.2%	Guinness Legends Lager and charity partnership with Joe Montana.
Jan 21	Super Bowl campaign	Positive	+2.2%	Smirnoff ‘We Do Game Days’ Super Bowl LX activation and merch drop.
Jan 20	Limited-edition bottle	Positive	+0.4%	Tequila Don Julio 1942 Year of the Horse Lunar New Year edition.

Pattern Detected

Brand and marketing news over the past months typically led to modest single‑day moves (roughly -0.2% to +2.2%), with reactions sometimes diverging from the positive tone of announcements.

Recent Company History

Recent news for DEO has focused on brand activations and new product expressions across its portfolio. In Jan–Feb 2026, events included Smirnoff’s Super Bowl LX campaign, a Tequila Don Julio Lunar New Year limited edition, a Guinness Legends Lager charity collaboration, a new Lagavulin 11 Year Old Sweet Peat expression, and Captain Morgan’s football-season activations. These announcements generally produced small single-day moves between -0.16% and +2.19%, making today’s sharp decline against a product launch for Aviation American Gin stand out versus recent patterns.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Aviation American Gin’s first flavor extension in over two decades, add...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Aviation American Gin’s first flavor extension in over two decades, adding Cranberry & Blood Orange as a permanent portfolio item. It follows a series of brand and product initiatives across Diageo labels, such as new Lagavulin and Tequila Don Julio expressions. Investors may watch how such innovations contribute to the Accelerate programme’s goals, including targeted annual free cash flow of $3bn and $625m in cost savings, against the backdrop of a reported 27.8% operating profit decline.

Key Terms

form 20-f, regulation s, voting rights, treasury shares

4 terms

form 20-f regulatory

"has issued its Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2025 and filed the Annual Report on Form 20-F"

Form 20-F is the standardized annual disclosure that non-U.S. companies must file with the U.S. securities regulator when their shares are traded in the U.S.; it contains audited financial statements, a plain-language description of the business, management discussion, governance details and key risk factors. It matters to investors because it provides a consistent, comparable company “report card” and rulebook, helping buyers assess financial health, governance and risks before investing.

regulation s regulatory

"being offered to eligible counterparties and professional clients outside the United States under Regulation S"

Regulation S is a set of rules that allows companies to sell securities (like shares or bonds) to investors outside the United States without having to follow all U.S. securities laws. It matters because it makes it easier for companies to raise money from international investors while still complying with U.S. regulations.

voting rights regulatory

"leaving a total of 2,225,378,210 voting rights"

Voting rights are the ability of shareholders to have a say in important company decisions, like choosing leaders or approving big changes. They matter because they give owners a voice in how the company is run, similar to how voters influence elections, ensuring the company acts in shareholders’ interests.

treasury shares financial

"207,046,917 were held in treasury and did not carry voting rights"

Treasury shares are a company’s own stock that it has repurchased and keeps on its books instead of canceling or leaving in the hands of outside investors. Think of them like coupons a business puts back in a drawer: they don’t vote or receive dividends while held, but they can be reissued later for employee pay or fundraising. For investors this matters because buybacks change the number of shares that count toward earnings and ownership, can boost per‑share metrics, and use corporate cash that might otherwise go to growth or dividends.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

The premium gin brand brings bold citrus and juicy cranberry flavors together for cocktails so good they practically make themselves

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviation American Gin, known for its smooth and versatile character, unveils its first flavor innovation since its creation more than two decades ago: Aviation Cranberry & Blood Orange Flavored Gin. Combining juicy cranberry and bold blood orange with Aviation's signature botanical profile, the new expression offers a bright, vibrant twist that makes at-home cocktailing effortless. In celebration of the launch, co-owner Ryan Reynolds stars in a humorous new video (linked here) that highlights Aviation's fresh take on innovation - creating a gin so full of flavor, it practically makes cocktails itself.

Now available nationwide as a permanent addition to the portfolio, Aviation Cranberry & Blood Orange Flavored Gin is built around a robust, balanced profile that is so delicious, it is designed to elevate cocktails with ease. From casual weeknight sips to weekend hosting, it's an easy upgrade for at-home bartenders and curious mixers alike - flexing seamlessly across signature serves including the Bloody Good Mimosa, Blimey Fizz, and Crimson Cosmo.

"Innovation is at the heart of what we do. That's true despite the fact that until today we have not really changed our product at all," said Ryan Reynolds, Co-Owner of Aviation American Gin. "I am so proud of our first actual innovation - the delicious Cranberry & Blood Orange."

"We're proud to introduce Cranberry & Blood Orange to the Aviation portfolio as a meaningful expansion of the brand," said Ricky Collett, Gin Category Marketing Director at Diageo. "We wanted to create new occasions for consumers to engage with Aviation in fresh, creative ways, and focused on crafting a liquid that delivers versatility, accessibility and an exceptional flavor experience. The combination of Aviation's signature gin with tart cranberry and citrus-forward blood orange offers cocktail elevation while remaining easy to enjoy." 

For more information, visit www.aviationgin.com and follow @AviationGin on Instagram and Facebook for real-time updates.

About Aviation American Gin
Aviation Gin is one of the world's highest rated gins (97 points, Wine Enthusiast) and helped establish a new style of American gin, crafted with a blend of botanicals, which delivers an approachable and uniquely balanced flavor profile. Created by a unique bartender / distiller partnership, Aviation American Gin operates a distillery, packaging facility and visitor experience in Portland, OR.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

PRESS INQUIRIES:
Alison Brod Marketing + Communications
Aviation@abmc-us.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aviation-american-gin-introduces-its-first-ever-flavor-innovation-cranberry--blood-orange-302698120.html

SOURCE Aviation American Gin

FAQ

What is Aviation Cranberry & Blood Orange Flavored Gin (DEO) released on February 26, 2026?

It is a new permanent flavored gin combining cranberry and blood orange with Aviation's botanical base. According to the company, the SKU aims to offer a bright, cocktail-ready profile that simplifies at-home mixing and elevates classic serves.

When will Aviation Cranberry & Blood Orange (DEO) be available nationwide?

The flavored gin is available nationwide as of February 26, 2026. According to the company, it joins the permanent portfolio and can be found via aviationgin.com and the brand's Instagram and Facebook channels.

How does Aviation say the new DEO flavor should be used in cocktails?

Aviation recommends using the cranberry and blood orange expression to elevate cocktails like the Bloody Good Mimosa and Crimson Cosmo. According to the company, the liquid is crafted for versatility and easy at-home bartending across casual and hosting occasions.

Who is featured in the launch campaign for Aviation Cranberry & Blood Orange (DEO)?

Co-owner Ryan Reynolds stars in a humorous launch video promoting the new flavor. According to the company, the creative highlights Aviation's first product innovation in over twenty years and emphasizes flavor-forward cocktail fun.

Where can investors or consumers find more information about Aviation Cranberry & Blood Orange (DEO)?

More information is available at aviationgin.com and the brand's social channels @AviationGin. According to the company, those channels provide product details, launch creative, and real-time updates on availability and recipes.