Following months of undercover meetings, French liquor leviathan Pernod Ricard revealed Tuesday it is planning to acquire UK-headquartered Allied Domecq, the globe's second largest spirits and wine business.
A successful union would dominate the world's booze trade, outgunning current sector leader Diageo, also UK-based.
The combined Pernod-Allied brand family would include global names such as the eponymous Pernod and Ricard labels, Chivas Regal scotch whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Beefeater gin, Stolichnaya vodka, Malibu coconut rum and Jacob's Creek wines.
However, the lips of both companies remained firmly zipped, other than to confirm they are talking takeover turkey.
Data sourced from Wall Street Journal Online; additional content by WARC staff
