Whiskey distillery changes hands

The Old Bushmills Distillery is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery

Drinks industry giant Diageo is to buy one of Northern Ireland's best-known whiskey distilleries, Bushmills.

The firm, which also owns Guinness, is paying £200m to current owners, Pernod.

Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh said the Bushmills deal, subject to a bid by Pernod for drinks firm Allied Domecq, plugged a hole in its portfolio.

"This is one of the oldest Irish whiskey brands and gives Diageo, for the first time, an important presence in this growing category," he said.

Pernod has also granted Diageo the option to purchase Allied Domecq 's Montana wine business with the exception of the Corbans, Stoneleigh and Church Road wine brands.

"The agreements are conditional upon the successful completion of Pernods agreed bid for Allied Domecq which Pernod and Allied Domecq have both stated they expect to occur on 26 July," a statement from Diageo added.

Jobs

North Antrim DUP MLA Ian Paisley Junior said the distillery was an important employer in the area and that if the brand grew he would hope to see more jobs come to the area.

"If the brand develops and grows then one would expect to see development at Bushmills and more job opportunities there," he said.

"I would not want to see the brand being taken out of Northern Ireland as this prestigious brand has a distinctive link to County Antrim.

"I will be meeting with the company management to hear at first hand what this purchase offer means for the local economy."

The Old Bushmills Distillery is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, having received its licence to distil in 1608, and employs 125 people.