USVI Governor returns from Paris with good news,

[Rum Runner]

As reported by the Virgin Islands Daily News. (http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17624519)

[Edward Hamilton]

In as much as Pernod doesn't have a real rum brand it wouldn't make any sense to change Cruzan, or to say that you're going to do anything other than stay the course with the good governor from the islands.

From I know, which isn't much at times, this isn't just politics but that Pernod doesn't have any plans to do anything other than to move ahead with their new rum.

[Rum Runner]

Agreed. Given that that the deal has not even been approved yet, I would not expect Pernod/Ricard to upturn the cart.

One vulnerability though is that Cruzan remains a "smallish" player in the overall vision of Pernod/Ricard. Once they (Pernod) attain ownership they may wish to grow it extensively, or sell it off once again, as has happened numerous times in the past few years with Cruzan.

Possibly the latest modifications in the age statements by Cruzan are a tip of the hat to the upcoming new ownership.

I am not one to believe in coincidences.

[Edward Hamilton]

The decision to lower the age statement, and the age, of Cruzan rum was a difficult one for everyone involved. But it had nothing to do with polishing up the company to entice a suitor. Cruzan is smaller than a lot of rum producers, it is very well positioned to grow. Reducing the age statement was part of an effort to ensure the future of the company while age stocks are rebuilt.

No one in the rum industry believes that the future lies in younger rums. Stay tuned, there's a lot more to the Cruzan story yet to be written.

[Rum Runner]

Fair enough. I gather you have gleened this from direct contact with Cruzan.

And that would be good news to me.

Is Estate Diamond truly on hiatus? Or do you think it's likely not to return?