REMY COINTREAU MAKES A BID

Rémy Cointreau UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rémy Cointreau Group, has agreed to acquire Bruichladdich Distillery on the Scottish island of Islay. This is Rémy Cointreau’s first entry into the premium single malt Scotch whisky market. The deal was valued at approximately $91 million, comprising $75.3 million for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Bruichladdich and estimated debt of $15.7 million that Rémy Cointreau will assume. Bruichladdich was purchased in December 2OOO by Mark Reynier and a group of private investors who resurrected the Victorian distillery (founded in 1881) after it had been closed since 199O. Bruichladdich’s brands are sold under the Bruichladdich name as well as Port Charlotte and Octomore.