Allied Domecq


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.

History

Allied Domecq was the result of a 1994 merger between Allied Lyons and Pedro Domecq S.A. Allied Lyons itself was the result of a 1978 merger between Allied Breweries and the food and catering group J. Lyons and Co. In 1999 the 3,500 strong pub division was sold to Burton-based Punch Taverns for £3bn after a bidding war with Whitbread.
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. On 12 December 2005, Pernod Ricard announced that it had agreed to sell the restaurant businesses to a consortium of three US private equity firms for $2.43 billion. The closing of the sale occurred on 1 March 2006.

Distilleries

Many malt distilleries were operated by Allied Domecq and former company Allied Lyons. Some are still open under new owners:
DistilleryFoundedOwners
Balblair1790Inver House Distillers
Glenburgie1810Chivas Brothers
Glencadam1825Angus Dundee Distiller
Glenugie1831Closed 1983, Demolished
Inverleven1938Closed 1991, Demolished
Kinclaith1957Closed 1975, Demolished
Laphroaig1815Suntory Global Spirits
Lochside1957Closed 1992: Demolished
Miltonduff1824Chivas Brothers
Scapa1885Chivas Brothers
Tormore1958Elixir Distillers

Brands

Allied Domecq's operated a combination of nine core global brands, plus a selection of local market leaders.