Pernod Offloads Two Irish Whiskies, India’s Imperial Blue
July 25, 2025Pernod Ricard has divested whiskey brands from Ireland and India as it looks to dispose of non-core assets. The second-ranked global spirits marketer sold Knappogue Castle and Clontarf Irish whiskies to Ireland-based Cobblestone Brands for an undisclosed sum.
“This divestment aligns with our business strategy to focus on our core Irish whiskey portfolio and accelerate growth in key areas,” said Nodjame Fouad, CEO of Pernod-owned Irish Distillers. “We are confident that Cobblestone Brands will further develop and expand their market presence.”
Clontarf and Knappogue Castle were acquired by Pernod as part of its purchase of Castle Brands in 2019. Now they’ll join Four Corners Gin and Star & Key Rum in the Cobblestone Brands range.
“We plan to invest significantly in marketing, innovation, and route-to-market expansion for both brands,” said Cobblestone COO Barry Gallagher, who along with CEO Brian Fagan previously cofounded the Glendalough whiskey and gin label that eventually sold to Mark Anthony Group. “This acquisition represents the next step in our broader growth strategy. Over the next 12 months, we plan to introduce another three new-to-world brands as we continue to build a diverse and globally relevant premium spirits portfolio.”
Elsewhere, Pernod has agreed to sell its Imperial Blue business division in India to local player Tilaknagar Industries for $500 million. Imperial Blue, playing in the locally made Indian whisky segment, had volume of 23 million cases last year, according to Impact Databank. Pernod noted that India is a strategic priority, as its second-largest market globally. Chairman and CEO Alex Ricard called the deal “a strategic move to sharpen our focus on more profitable and faster growing brands in India, like in the rest of the world.”-Daniel Marsteller
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