Dentons has advised Glasgow-based premium spirits company Edrington on the sale of its Cutty Sark whisky brand to French spirits group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. The completion of the transfer to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet is expected within a month.

As part of the deal, Edrington will continue to provide blending and bottling and other associated services during a transition period. La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has invested in production facilities at all its sites, including in France and Scotland. Its site at Bathgate, near Edinburgh is fully integrated, with a grain distillery, ageing cellars and a bottling plant, which uses advanced technology to produce up to 400,000 bottles of blended and single malt Scotch whisky every day.

Brian Moore, Corporate partner at Dentons who led on the deal, said: “This transaction played to our considerable strengths in the food and beverage sector and in advising Scottish-based businesses. Premium spirits are the fastest growing area of the wider spirits market, and this deal will enable Edrington to prioritise investment in its core brands.”

“Cutty Sark is one of the most recognisable Scotch whiskies in the world, and there is no doubt the brand will continue to thrive under new ownership,” added Adam Knowles, Corporate senior associate who assisted on the deal. “It is a great addition to the buyer’s portfolio of international brands.”

Martin Cooke, Company Secretary and General Counsel of Edrington, said: “We enjoyed working with Brian, Adam and the team at Dentons once again. Their in-depth knowledge of Edrington’s business and values, coupled with their commercial and collaborative approach, helped us successfully achieve our objective of a smooth and fuss-free transaction.”

Edrington is a longstanding client of Dentons. The Firm has advised on a number of UK-wide and international deals for the business, including the public-to-private acquisition of Highland Distillers plc, the acquisition of a majority share in Brugal Rum, and the acquisition of The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand.