Allied Domecq PLC was a multinational company, headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses.
It was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent and the world's second-largest spirits group but has been acquired by Pernod Ricard.[1]
History
Allied Domecq was the result of a 1994 merger between Allied Lyons and Pedro Domecq S.A.[2] Allied Lyons itself was the result of a 1978 merger between Allied Breweries and the food and catering group J. Lyons and Co.[2][3] In 1999 the 3,500 strong pub division was sold to Burton-based Punch Taverns for £3bn after a bidding war with Whitbread.[4]
In early 2005, a takeover bid for the company was launched by French-based rival Pernod Ricard S.A. Pernod Ricard successfully completed acquisition on 26 July 2005 and sold off the overlapping spirits brands to U.S.-based competitor Fortune Brands and British-based multinational Diageo.[5] On 12 December 2005, Pernod Ricard announced that it had agreed to sell the restaurant businesses (Dunkin' Brands) to a consortium of three US private equity firms (Thomas H. Lee Partners, the Carlyle Group and Bain Capital LLP) for $2.43 billion. The closing of the sale occurred on 1 March 2006.[6]
Distilleries
Many malt distilleries were operated by Allied Domecq and former company Allied Lyons. Some are still open under new owners:[1]
Brands
Allied Domecq's operated a combination of nine core global brands, plus a selection of local market leaders.[1]
- Scotch whisky:
- Single malt Scotch whisky: Balblair, Glenburgie, Glencadam, Laphroaig, Miltonduff, Scapa, Tormore
- Blended Scotch whisky: Ballantine's, Teacher's Highland Cream
- American whiskey: Maker's Mark,
- Canadian whisky: Canadian Club
- Spanish whisky: DYC whisky
- Brandy & Cognac: Courvoisier, Centenario, Don Pedro, Fundador
- Gin: Larios
- Liqueurs & Bitters: Kahlúa, Kuemmerling,Tia Maria
- Port:Cockburn's Port
- Rum: Malibu
- Sherry: Harvey's Bristol Cream
- Tequilal: Sauza Tequila
- Vodka: Stolichnaya vodka
- Wine: Montana Wines, Clos du Bois
- Champagne: G. H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët
References
- Allied Domecq scotchwhisky.com, retrieved 2024-10-19^
- Corporate History of Dunkin' Brands from the Dunkin' Brands website^
- Vanished UK drink is toast of Caribbean, an April 2007 article from the BBC website^
- Nigel Cope. Mr Punch aims at Allied Domecq The Independent, 22 June 1999, retrieved 1 October 2024^
- Pernod Ricard successfully completes acquisition of Allied Domecq, from the Pernod Ricard website^
- Pernod Ricard sells Dunkin' Brands to Bain Capital^