MARK Reynier, the former London wine merchant who bought Bruichladdich back to life in 2001, has revealed that he has received four offers for the Islay distiller in the past year.
Reynier, who is managing director of the distillery, says it would have to be an "exceptional" deal to entice the shareholders as they are happy building the business and are even looking to make acquisitions themselves. The interest in Bruichladdich comes on the back of similar approaches to Perthshire-based distillery Tullibardine and the sale of Pernod Ricard's distillery Glendronach to a South African consortium headed by whisky veteran Billy Walker. Whyte & Mackay is understood to be mulling a takeover of Glen Moray, the Elgin-based single malt brand put on the market by Glenmorangie.
Sources say individuals representing Russian and Indian consortiums have been scouring the Scotch whisky industry in the past 18 months in a bid to acquire a distillery and tap into the growing demand for Scotch worldwide. Reynier, who has finally received planning permission to resurrect the Port Charlotte distillery on Islay, has seen his pre-tax profits rise by 58% to £831,000 in 2007. He said: "In the past year we have had around four enquiries, and a few, as a board, we are duty-bound to weigh up and consider, which we have and to date have rejected each one. It would have to be a pretty exceptional deal to get us at all interested. We enjoy what we do.
Reynier describes Bruichladdich as the "fastest-growing single malt whisky distillery brand". He said it was the third-largest single malt by sales in Russia, and highlighted Germany and the UK as other key markets. "Sadly for the industry, we have not run out of steam, ideas, passion or drive," he said. "We have an awful lot more going on – our own spirits coming to fruition, new concepts and bottlings – and now we have finally got planning, we have the Port Charlotte project to develop."
Global exports of Scotch rose by 14% last year, with sales hitting a record high of £2.8bn in 2007, raising a record £90 per second for the British economy. Demand for Scotch whisky, particularly in southeast Asia, has grown so fast that the industry is in danger of running short of supplies. The latest figures show sales to Singapore and China have risen from £45m five years ago to £300m last year, which has led to pressure on stocks of Scotch.
Reynier added that with the industry developing at such a pace Bruichladdich would be more interested in acquiring than selling. He said: "Who would want to sell up when we are developing at such a rate? If there is something interesting out there I would be very keen to look at other opportunities if it is the right fit."
