Distell has signed a binding agreement with Burn Stewart owners CL World Brands Ltd and Angostura Ltd that will see it take over its three distilleries that are responsible for producing the Tobermory and Black Bottle brands, bottling hall in East Kilbride and its blending and warehousing facilities in Airdrie. It also operates a sales and marketing branch in Taiwan and holds a majority stake in a spirits distribution arm in the USA.
The deal follows an equal-partner venture established in 2007 between Distell and Burn Stewart, in which the two parties co-owned and marketed three Scotch Whiskies - Bunnahabhain, Black Bottle and Scottish Leader - in sub-Saharan Africa.
Commenting on the deal, Distell Group managing director Jan Scannell said: "Our acquisition of Burn Stewart is a very significant development for Distell from a strategic perspective but also given the rich and proud history and heritage of the brands involved. This gives us an outstanding foundation from which to build, while cherishing their individual traditions."
The purchase is Distell's second major acquisition in recent years, having bought cognac brand Bisquit from Pernod Ricard in 2009.
