Rémy Cointreau UK Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Rémy Cointreau Group, has agreed to acquire Bruichladdich Distillery Company Limited, the Islay single malt Scotch whisky distiller.
The transaction marks the group’s first move into the premium single malt Scotch whisky market, a category experiencing strong growth worldwide, especially in the high-end segment. The deal sustains Rémy Cointreau’s long-term value strategy, geared to investing in international premium spirits with strong savoir-faire, the company said in a press release.
Bruichladdich, the Hebridean distiller, was purchased in December 2000 by Mark Reynier and a group of private investors who resurrected the Victorian distillery.
Total transaction value amounts to £58m, comprising £48m for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Bruichladdich and estimated debt of £10m that Rémy Cointreau will assume.
Rémy Cointreau Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marie Laborde said: “The acquisition of Bruichladdich, a renowned Islay single 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 and we look forward to working closely with Bruichladdich’s experienced and passionate management team.”
Bruichladdich Chairman Sir John Mactaggart added: “This is an excellent transaction for Bruichladdich, the Islay community and a wonderful opportunity for the company to reach its full potential, under the stewardship of Rémy Cointreau with their strong distribution network and their experienced brand development. I’m confident that Bruichladdich will establish itself as one of the Scotch whisky industry’s best known and acclaimed premium brands.”
Completion of the transaction is expected to occur within six weeks.
About Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich, the single malt Scotch whisky distiller, has a rich and diverse heritage. Founded in 1881 in the western part of the island of Islay, the distillery was resurrected from closure in 2000. Terroir, provenance and traceability are key tenets, with organic and Islay barley the basis of extensive maturing stocks. Bruichladdich is distilled in tall and narrow-necked stills for elegance, and matures in both French and American oak casks for variety. Bruichladdich single malts are distilled, aged and bottled on site, free from colouring and non-chill-filtered. Port Charlotte, a heavily peated expression, and Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated whisky, are also distilled there.
Visit www.bruichladdich.com
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