Remy Cointreau UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Remy Cointreau Group, has agreed to acquire Bruichladdich Distillery Company, the Islay single malt Scotch whisky distiller. The transaction marks the French drinks group’s first move into the premium single malt Scotch whisky market, a category experiencing strong growth all over the world, especially in the very high-end segment.
This deal furthers Remy Cointreau’s long term value strategy, geared to investing into international premium spirits with strong ‘savoir-faire’. Bruichladdich, the progressive Hebridean distiller, was purchased in December 2000 by Mark Reynier and a group of private investors who resurrected the Victorian distillery developing it in to an exciting brand with worldwide acclaim.
Total transaction value amounts to £58 million, comprising of £48 million for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Bruichladdich and estimated debt of £10 million that Remy Cointreau will assume.
Jean-Marie Laborde, chief executive of Remy Cointreau, says: “The acquisition of Bruichladdich, a renownedIslaysingle malt with a rich and exciting heritage, is a great opportunity to enrich our high-end portfolio of brands and to confirm our strategy in the spirits luxury segment. We expect Bruichladdich to sit proudly alongside our other brands.”
