KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prominent distillers and bottlers J Wray & Nephew (JWN) Limited says the company will be applying an increase to a small number of brands in its portfolio.

The company says its decision is keeping with the Government’s recently announced increase in Special Consumption Tax for all alcoholic beverages.

The tax came into effect on March 13 and the company says that it is recommending a $110 drink price for Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum, Appleton Special Jamaica Rum and Charley’s JB Overproof Rum.

However, the price for Magnum tonic wine remains unchanged.

According to Managing Director Jean-Philippe Beyer in a recent news release “the increase comes at a time when Gruppo Campari, owners of the JWN, is faced with several other challenges in its Jamaican business.”.

“Nevertheless, we at J Wray & Nephew Limited wish to assure all our customers that we are committed to continuing to building Brand Jamaica and committed to ensuring that our premium portfolio of rums, spirits and wines are made available at the best possible price,” Beyer added.

Beyer said that since the US$450-million acquisition of the company by Gruppo Campari in 2012, the Jamaican operations has become one of the group’s top markets and its brands list among the top global priority brands.

The company then invested another US$50 million in the Jamaican operations with several eco-investment projects, the expansion of the Appleton Estate Rum Tour and investments in developing the Appleton Estate brand globally.

Beyer noted “The history and topography of Jamaica is an integral part of all our brands. Although the company has faced several challenges since 2012, Gruppo Campari remains resolute in its belief that maintaining the authenticity and world renowned quality of the Jamaican brands is only possible if the production process, from the production of sugarcane to putting our brands on the shelves, remain right here in Jamaica.”