Remy Cointreau in whisky talks

The French spirits group Remy Cointreau is in exclusive talks to buy the Scottish whisky maker Bruichladdich Distillery as it looks to tap booming demand for premium whisky from emerging markets in Asia.

Remy Cointreau, the maker of Remy Martin cognac, Cointreau Liqueur and Mount Gay Rum, sold its champagne division last year and had since been looking for a premium whisky or brand to complement its portfolio.

Bruichladdich, a distiller of single-malt based on the Isle of Islay, generates annual sales of about €15m (£12m). The distillery was built in 1881, mothballed by Jim Beam in 1995 and restarted by the current management team in 2001.