Bunnahabhain og Black Bottle solgt

Det blev i dag offentligtgjort at Burn Stewart Distillers har købt Bunnahabhain og Black Bottle Pressemeddelelsen:

"EDRINGTON DIVESTMENT

Edrington, the leading independent Scotch whisky group, today announced that
it has sold the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay and the Bunnahabhain and
Black Bottle brands to Burn Stewart Distillers. The total consideration has
not been revealed but the deal includes sufficient stocks for the purchasers
to continue to develop the brands.

Ian Good, chairman and chief executive of Edrington, commented: "The
disposals are in line with the group's strategy of concentrating our
investment resource behind developing our core brands."

The Glasgow-based group said it decided to sell the businesses following a
number of approaches from outside parties. It was advised on the deal by
Noble Grossart, the Edinburgh merchant bank.

Edrington said that its strategic aim is to concentrate investment behind
developing its flagship brands - The Famous Grouse, Scotland's favourite
whisky, and Cutty Sark - and its award-winning single malts, The Macallan
and Highland Park.

"This is already reaping dividends with record sales," said Mr. Good. "We
are convinced that our future success will come from focusing even more on
our strengths. That means targeting our marketing efforts on those areas of
the business where we are establishing significant market positions, which
will lead to greater growth."

Mr. Good went on: "I therefore believe that these divestments are in the
best interests of employees, the brands concerned and The Edrington Group."

The Islay operation employs 15 people, but Edrington does not anticipate
that the transfer of ownership will result in job losses. The position was
explained to Edrington's employees earlier today.

Bunnahabhain and Black Bottle joined Edrington when it acquired Highland
Distillers in November 1999."