Allied Domecq PLC was an multinational company, headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses.

Allied Domecq PLC
IndustryDrink industry
Founded1994
Defunct2005
FateAcquired
SuccessorPernod Ricard
HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom

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

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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

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Many malt distilleries were operated by Allied Domecq and former company Allied Lyons. Some are still open under new owners:[1]

Distillery Founded Owners
Balblair 1790 Inver House Distillers
Glenburgie 1810 Chivas Brothers
Glencadam 1825 Angus Dundee Distiller
Glenugie 1831 Closed 1983, Demolished
Inverleven 1938 Closed 1991, Demolished
Kinclaith 1957 Closed 1975, Demolished
Laphroaig 1815 Suntory Global Spirits
Lochside 1957 Closed 1992: Demolished
Miltonduff 1824 Chivas Brothers
Scapa 1885 Chivas Brothers
Tormore 1958 Elixir Distillers

Brands

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Allied Domecq's operated a combination of nine core global brands, plus a selection of local market leaders.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Allied Domecq | Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b Corporate History of Dunkin' Brands Archived 2013-04-23 at the Wayback Machine from the Dunkin' Brands website
  3. ^ Vanished UK drink is toast of Caribbean, an April 2007 article from the BBC website
  4. ^ Cope, Nigel (22 June 1999). "Mr Punch aims at Allied Domecq". The Independent. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  5. ^ Pernod Ricard successfully completes acquisition of Allied Domecq Archived 3 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, from the Pernod Ricard website
  6. ^ Pernod Ricard sells Dunkin' Brands to Bain Capital