The transaction includes the Louis Royer cognac brand, ageing inventories, and facilities in France. The purchase price is approximately €100 million based on a turnover of about €55m.
Suntory Holdings wished to sell this asset further to the acquisition in January 2014 of Beam Global whose subsidiary Courvoisier is also a cognac producer.
Established in 1853 and based in in Jarnac, the Louis Royer group, was acquired by Suntory in 1989.
Terroirs Distillers produce and market Tullibardine and Highland Queen whisky brands, rum Charette, pastis Girard, Stoessle and Moyroud eaux-de-vie, Sommer beer bitter and flavoured beverages Arômes & Vin.
Terroirs Distillers president Gabriel Picard said: "We are delighted about this partnership with Louis Royer. It is a brand that benefits from a long history, an undisputed know-how and renowned quality. "We are a family group of premium spirits composed of quality brands, all stemming from recognised terroirs (rum from the Reunion, Highland single malt, bitter from Alsace...). The Louis Royer opportunity brings us an essential addition to our range, on the cognac segment.”
Terroirs Distiller says it united with Unigrains, an investor specialised in the agro-food industry with whom they maintain a long term partnership, to help fund the transaction.
