Beam Me Up, Says Scotty Suntory
Japan’s Suntory Distillery just became the third-largest spirits business in the world after their $13.6 billion cash acquisition of iconic American Bourbon producer, Jim Beam this month. Suntory will now import Beam products into worldwide markets as well as take 11% of the American spirits market. Beam’s product list now owned by Suntory include Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek for Bourbon, Teacher’s and Laphroaig for Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club for blended whiskey, Courvoisier for cognac, Sauza for tequila and Pinnacle for vodka.
Suntory owns Auchentoshan, Bowmore, Hibiki and Yamazaki amongst its most notable whiskies, along with Midori liquer and Orangina carbonated orange soft drink brand.