Benriach Distillery Sells to Brown-Forman for £285 Million

Producer of The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whiskies has sold to Brown-Forman for £285 million (approx. AUD$550 million).

The acquisition follows Brown-Forman’s sale of Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands to Sazerac in March and sees the company re-enter the growing single malt Scotch whisky category. Brown-Forman was previously a minority shareholder of Glenmorangie plc, but sold its interest to Moët Hennessy in 2005.

The BenRiach Distillery Company will operate as a subsidiary of Brown-Forman, including its existing 165 employees, brand trademarks, three malt distilleries, bottling plant and headquarters in Edinburgh.

“The Glendronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh single malt brands are rich in history and we believe they will continue to prosper and grow in our hands,” said Brown-Forman Chief Executive Officer, Paul Varga.

The GlenDronach Distillery, located in the hills of the Scottish Highlands, was founded in 1826. GlenDronach produces a range of ultra-premium single malt whiskies and is most noted for its richly sherried whiskies. Located in the heart of Speyside, The BenRiach Distillery began making malt whisky in 1898 and is known for experimenting with wood finishes producing whisky from both non-peated and peated malted barley. The Glenglassaugh Distillery, founded in 1875, is located on the coast in the northern Scottish Highlands overlooking the North Sea producing a coastal Highland malt.

Brown-Forman is expected to close the sale on June 1, 2016.

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