Bushmills sold!

[jazznut]

Bushmills whiskey: Jose Cuervo acquires County Antrim firm

By John Campbell BBC News NI Economics & Business Editor


Bushmills whiskey has been acquired by the world's biggest tequila producer.

Jose Cuervo has taken control of the brand as part of a deal with Diageo.
Diageo's Colin O'Brien said while the sale represented a "change", they were "confident" that Jose Cuervo would "nurture" Bushmills in the future.

The chief executive of Jose Cuervo, Juan Domingo Beckmann, described the acquisition as the "most important purchase made by Cuervo in its entire history".

"Like Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Jose Cuervo is built on a very strong tradition of quality and craftsmanship that dates back over 250 years, so we understand the importance of nurturing and protecting the heritage and quality of a brand and are strongly committed to doing exactly that with Bushmills," he said.

"Bushmills Irish Whiskey will be in very safe hands."

Mr Beckmann added that no jobs would be lost at Bushmills as a result of the acquisition.

Mr O'Brien said Bushmills Irish Whiskey was a brand built on "great history, heritage and passionate people" and had been a "cherished part of the Diageo family" for more than nine years.

"During this time we have invested over £80m to build capacity, infrastructure and maturing inventory at the distillery, which has supported the continued growth of the brand," he said.

Irish whiskey has been a growth category in the United States in recent years.

Bushmills Distillery claims to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world.
Distillation has taken place there since at least the 17th century.

It has not been locally-owned for many years.

Prior to being bought by Diageo in 2005 it was owned by Pernod Ricard.

LINK: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-29876256

And the real reason behind this transaction...

LINK: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-1...don-julio.html

[gumby]

What a very, very sad event.

[jazznut]

Originally Posted by gumby

What a very, very sad event.

I'm not sure that Cuervo will be significantly less of a supportive owner of Bushmills than Diageo was.

These days, it's more about how a particular brand fits into the overall portfolio of a spirits corporation.

[KatDad]

For Irish I prefer Jameson and Powers.

[gumby]

You must be Catholic.
In Ireland it cracked me up to learn that protestants won't tough Jamesons and catholics won't touch Bushmills.
I love Black Bush, but I have a difficult time thinking that a crappy tequila maker will keep the quality.

[Mad Dawg]

[KatDad]

Originally Posted by gumby

You must be Catholic.
In Ireland it cracked me up to learn that protestants won't tough Jamesons and catholics won't touch Bushmills.

Quite a few years ago, I was celebrating St. Patrick's Day at Fitz's Blarney Stone a popular watering hole in midtown KC where I knew Jim and Pat Fitzgerald the father and son proprietors. When someone ordered a Bushmills I heard Pat Fitzgerald reply, "We don't serve that Londonderry shit in this establishment. We serve Jameson, Powers and Tullemore Dew."

Yes, I'm Catholic but only 1/8 Irish.

[mojoe]

Originally Posted by gumby

I love Black Bush,

[jaxstraww]

Originally Posted by gumby

You must be Catholic.
In Ireland it cracked me up to learn that protestants won't tough Jamesons and catholics won't touch Bushmills.
I love Black Bush, but I have a difficult time thinking that a crappy tequila maker will keep the quality.

Ireland? My Nan would tell me that at the dinner table.

Always been a Jameson guy but will happily give any of them a spin in the right setting.

[SmoKerch]

I strive to keep politics and religion out of my drinking.