Emperador, partner buy Pernod Ricard’s Mexican brandy business

Emperador, Inc., the liquor investments arm of tycoon Andrew Tan, and its partner is acquiring the Mexican brandy and wine business of Pernod Ricard.

Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement for the sale of the Domecq brandies and wines to Bodega Las Copas, a 50-50 joint-venture held by Grupo Emperador Spain and by González Byass.

The transaction includes the brand portfolio of Mexican brandies Don Pedro, Presidente and Azteca de Oro as well as the winery related to the production of Mexican wines in Ensenada, together with the relevant inventories related to the Domecq brands in several markets, including Spain, the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands, among others.

“The disposal is in line with Pernod Ricard’s strategy to simplify its portfolio for growth and focus on its priority spirits and wines brands. It also reinforces the presence of Bodega Las Copas in the global brandy category.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including its clearance by the Mexican Anti-Trust authorities, and is expected to take place before the end of the fiscal year 2016/2017.

Bodega Las Copas results from the agreement of Grupo Emperador Spain and González Byass to jointly distill wine and produce brandy and other quality spirits in Spain.

Grupo Emperador Spain is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emperador, the largest brandy company in the world based in Asia with a market leadership position in the Philippines and with presence in 100 countries around the world and operations across South-East Asia and Europe.

González Byass is a family winery dedicated to the making of quality wines and spirits, founded in Jerez in 1835.

Pernod Ricard is the world’s No. 2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8.68 billion in 2015/16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions.