South African giant Distell Group has bought Bunnahabhain producer Burn Stewart Distillers for £160 million from CL World Brands and Angostura.
The takeover includes Burn Stewart's three single malt whisky distilleries, a blending and maturation facility, bottling hall and drink and finished goods storage site as well as its marketing and distribution facilities. All Scotch whisky stocks in maturation were included in the transaction.
The deal follows a joint venture established in 2007 between Distell and Burn Stewart which saw the companies co-own and market Bunnahabhain, Black Bottle and Scottish Leader, in sub-Saharan Africa. Distell has also distributed Burn Stewart's portfolio in Africa for the past 14 years.