William Grant Sells Irish Mist To Gruppo Campari

The Scottish distillers William Grant & Sons Ltd is to sell liqueur brands Irish Mist, Carolans and Frangelico to Gruppo Campari for €129 million.

There are expected to be no immediate job losses as a result of this deal since Gruppo Campari are signing a 10 year manufacturing services agreement for William Grant to provide blending and bottling services for the liqueur brands at its Clonmel bottling operations here in Co Tipperary. The division’s management and team involving 57 employees will transfer with the business on its disposal and William Grant will continue to operate the division’s packaging facility located at the group’s manufacturing site here in Clonmel.

William Grant purchased the three named brands from C&C Group plc earlier this year as part of a €300 million deal for its spirits division.

The Scottish distiller is retaining the Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey brand, and said it remained committed to making a significant investment in Ireland. The company announced earlier this month that it would establish its new global marketing office in Dublin, creating 17 jobs. The office will manage global marketing operations for the firm’s non-Scotch brands including Sailor Jerry, Hendrick’s Gin and Tullamore Dew.