Pernod Ricard
A French multinational wine and spirits group and one of the world's largest producers of premium alcoholic beverages.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Pernod Ricard is a French multinational beverage group headquartered in Paris and best known for its portfolio of wine, spirits and anise-flavoured aperitifs. The company was created in 1975 through the merger of Pernod and Ricard, two major French producers that had historically competed in the pastis market. Its heritage therefore combines Pernod's nineteenth-century distilling history with Paul Ricard's Marseille-founded pastis business. Pernod and Ricard remain important names in the group's French aperitif portfolio, but the modern company is substantially broader than its original anise-spirit base. The group expanded internationally through acquisitions of established producers, brands and production businesses. Its purchases included Irish Distillers in 1988, giving it Jameson and a major Irish whiskey platform; Orlando Wyndham in 1989, adding Australian wine brands including Jacob's Creek; and a partnership with Cuban interests that helped develop Havana Club internationally. In 2001 it acquired a substantial portion of Seagram's wine and spirits business, bringing Chivas Brothers, Chivas Regal and numerous Scotch whisky assets into the group. The 2005 acquisition of Allied Domecq further strengthened its Scotch, Irish whiskey, gin, tequila, brandy and wine holdings. In 2008 Pernod Ricard acquired V&S Group from the Swedish government, adding Absolut Vodka and a large international vodka business. Its portfolio spans Scotch, Irish, American, Canadian, Indian and Chinese whisky; vodka; gin; rum; tequila and mezcal; cognac and brandy; liqueurs; bitters; aperitifs; champagne; and selected wine brands. Important names include Martell, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, Ballantine's, The Glenlivet, Jameson, Redbreast, Absolut, Beefeater, Havana Club, Malibu, Olmeca Altos, Kahlúa, Lillet, Ricard, G. H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët. Production and brand management are conducted through specialist businesses such as Chivas Brothers, Irish Distillers, Pernod Ricard Winemakers and regional subsidiaries. Pernod Ricard positions itself around premiumization, brand building, international distribution and cultural marketing. It operates a house-of-brands model rather than presenting every product under the corporate name. The company has also used acquisitions, incubated brands and selective divestments to concentrate on higher-value spirits and champagne. In 2024 it announced the sale of its strategic international wine portfolio, a transaction completed in 2025 according to the supplied reference material, while retaining selected wine activities in the United States, France, Argentina and China. It also announced or completed further portfolio changes involving Nordic liqueurs, South African gin, Irish whiskey, Indian whisky and United States sparkling wine assets. Pernod Ricard remains active globally, although its exact brand ownership changes over time through acquisitions and disposals.
History
Pernod Ricard's history begins with the development of French anise-flavoured spirits. Henri-Louis Pernod established an early absinthe distillery in Switzerland in 1797 and founded Pernod Fils in Pontarlier, France, in 1805. After absinthe was prohibited in France in 1915, the Pernod businesses evolved toward pastis and other aperitifs. Distillerie Hémard and Société Pernod Père & Fils were eventually combined with other Pernod operations in 1926 to form Les Établissements Pernod. The business later introduced Pastis 51 and acquired the producer of Suze, broadening its aperitif and liqueur activities. Paul Ricard founded Ricard in Marseille in 1932. Ricard pastis became a major French long drink, although production was interrupted when the Vichy regime prohibited pastis during the Second World War. Legal production resumed in 1944. Paul Ricard retired from day-to-day leadership in 1968, and the business remained a significant independent competitor to Pernod. The two companies merged in 1975, creating Pernod Ricard. The new group used acquisitions and international expansion to move beyond French pastis. Irish Distillers joined in 1988, providing Jameson and important Irish whiskey distilleries. Orlando Wyndham followed in 1989, adding Australian wine operations. In 1993 Pernod Ricard worked with Cuban partners on Havana Club. The 1999 purchase of Yerevan Brandy Company added an Armenian brandy platform, while the 2001 acquisition of part of Seagram's wine and spirits business brought Chivas Brothers, Chivas Regal and a large Scotch portfolio. Jan Becher was also acquired in 2001. The acquisition of Allied Domecq in 2005 added Ballantine's, Beefeater, Malibu, Kahlúa, Olmeca and other global brands. In 2008 the purchase of V&S Group added Absolut Vodka and related operations. These transactions transformed Pernod Ricard into a global house of premium spirits and wine brands, supported by regional subsidiaries and specialized production companies. During the 2010s and 2020s, the group emphasized responsible-drinking initiatives, premium brand development and selective innovation. It added or developed products such as Cockorico and The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky, while also managing reputational and geopolitical issues. In 2020 it ended its relationship with French bullfighting clubs after criticism from animal-rights organizations. In 2023 it briefly resumed limited exports of Jameson and Beefeater to Russia, then stopped exports of its international brands following protests and boycott demands. From 2024 onward, Pernod Ricard pursued portfolio rationalization. It agreed to sell its strategic international wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco, including Jacob's Creek, Orlando, St Hugo, Stoneleigh, Brancott Estate, Church Road and several Spanish labels; the supplied material states that completion occurred in April 2025. The company also announced transactions involving Nordic local brands, Inverroche, selected Irish whiskey and Indian whisky brands, and United States sparkling wine assets. These moves reflect a continuing effort to focus resources on premium spirits and champagne while retaining selected local and regional wine businesses.
- 2025
Inverroche acquisition announced
[2]Pernod Ricard acquired South African gin brand Inverroche according to the supplied reference material.
- 2024
International wine portfolio sale announced
[2]The group agreed to sell a portfolio of strategic international wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco Ltd.
- 2023
The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky launched
[1]Pernod Ricard released The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky, described in the supplied material as its first Chinese whisky.
- 2022
Cockorico acquired
[1]The group acquired French ready-to-serve cocktail brand Cockorico.
- 2008
V&S Group acquired
[1]Pernod Ricard acquired the Swedish group and its flagship Absolut Vodka brand.
- 2005
Allied Domecq acquired
[1]The transaction added Ballantine's, Beefeater, Malibu, Kahlúa, Olmeca and other brands.
- 1988
Irish Distillers acquired
[1]The acquisition created a major Irish whiskey platform centered on Jameson and Midleton.
- 1975
Pernod and Ricard merge
[1]The two leading French anise-aperitif producers merged to create Pernod Ricard.
- 1932
Ricard is founded
[1]Paul Ricard founded the Ricard pastis business in Marseille.
- 1805
Pernod Fils is founded
[1]Pernod Fils was established in Pontarlier, France, and became associated with anise-flavoured spirits.
Products and positioning
Premium and prestige wine-and-spirits house focused on international brand building, premiumization and a diversified global portfolio.
Cognac
Martell
A historic French cognac house and one of Pernod Ricard's principal prestige spirits brands. Its range includes entry-level, aged and luxury cognacs distributed internationally.
Blended Scotch whisky
Chivas Regal
A globally distributed blended Scotch whisky brand produced through Chivas Brothers. It is positioned across premium and prestige segments, with multiple age statements and special editions.
Vodka
Absolut Vodka
A Swedish vodka brand acquired through V&S Group in 2008. Absolut is known for its distinctive bottle, flavored variants, global distribution and highly visible cultural marketing.
Irish whiskey
Jameson
Pernod Ricard's leading Irish whiskey brand, produced through Irish Distillers. Jameson is an internationally marketed blended whiskey with a broad range of standard and premium expressions.
Blended Scotch whisky
Ballantine's
A major blended Scotch whisky brand added through the Allied Domecq acquisition. It serves a wide international market and includes several age-stated and premium expressions.
Single malt Scotch whisky
The Glenlivet
A Speyside single malt Scotch whisky brand managed through Chivas Brothers. Its portfolio ranges from core age statements to older and prestige bottlings.
Pastis and aperitif
Pernod and Ricard
The group's foundational French anise-flavoured aperitif brands. They retain strong cultural and commercial associations with the French pastis category.
Champagne
G. H. Mumm
A Champagne brand in Pernod Ricard's prestige wine-and-champagne portfolio, marketed internationally alongside Perrier-Jouët.
Champagne
Perrier-Jouët
A premium Champagne house known for prestige cuvées and distinctive floral branding. It is part of Pernod Ricard's luxury-oriented portfolio.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2024
Sell strategic international wine portfolioM&ABackground
Pernod Ricard sought to concentrate its portfolio on premium spirits and champagne.
Action taken
The company agreed to sell international wine brands including Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate and Campo Viejo to Australian Wine Holdco Ltd.
Aftermath
The transaction was completed in 2025 according to the supplied reference material, with selected United States, French, Argentine and Chinese wine interests retained.
2023
End international-brand exports to RussiaStrategyBackground
Limited exports of Beefeater and Jameson to Russia triggered protests and boycott calls.
Action taken
Pernod Ricard reversed its export decision and stopped exports of its international brands to Russia.
Aftermath
The decision ended the immediate export controversy, while the company's Russian operations remained a subject of geopolitical scrutiny.
2022
Acquire CockoricoM&ABackground
The group expanded into French ready-to-serve cocktails.
Action taken
Pernod Ricard acquired Cockorico.
Aftermath
The deal broadened its offer beyond traditional spirits and aperitifs.
2008
Acquire V&S Group and Absolut VodkaM&ABackground
Pernod Ricard sought to strengthen its global vodka and international spirits platform.
Action taken
The group acquired Swedish state-owned V&S Group, including Absolut Vodka.
Aftermath
Absolut became one of the group's principal international brands.
Recent events
Pernod Ricard agrees to acquire The Whisky Exchange[3]
Reported:
Pernod Ricard signed an agreement to acquire The Whisky Exchange, a spirits retailer operating online and through physical stores. The source reports an agreement, not completion of the acquisition.
Pernod Ricard cuts fiscal 2020 profit outlook[4]
Reported:
Pernod Ricard said that, under revised assumptions linked to COVID-19, it now projects an approximately 20% organic decline in fiscal 2020 profit from recurring operations, replacing its earlier guidance of 2% to 4% growth.
JD.com launches Online-Clubbing live-commerce campaign[5]
Reported:
JD.com launched its Online-Clubbing live-commerce campaign with Taihe Music Group and multiple drinks companies, combining live music shows with drink sales on its platform.
Pernod Ricard North America announces CEO succession[6]
Reported:
Pernod Ricard announced that Paul Duffy would leave his role as chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America on 2 December and that Ann Mukherjee would replace him on that date.
Pernod Ricard completes acquisition of Castle Brands[7]
Reported:
Pernod Ricard completed its acquisition of Castle Brands through a cash tender offer and short-form merger. Castle Brands became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, and its common stock was set to cease trading on the NYSE American.
Sources7 sources
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