Bushmills whiskey goes down Mexico way following acquisition

Jose Cuervo has announced the purchase of the Bushmills brand from current owner Diageo.

With a distilling tradition dating back 400 years, the Old Bushmills Distillery on Northern Ireland’s scenic Causeway coast is a popular tourist attraction as well as manufacturer of the Bushmills Irish whiskey brand.

Jose Cuervo, a family-owned multi-national drinks company headquartered in Mexico City, has hailed the purchase as the most significant in its 250-year history.

It is understood Diageo will take control of a Jose Cuervo brand line as part of what is essentially a swap deal.

Jose Cuervo said the current management structure and all jobs will be retained at Bushmills, with the manufacturing and tourism business operating as normal.

Juan Domingo Beckmann, chief executive of Jose Cuervo, said: “This is the most important purchase made by Cuervo in its entire history.

“We see this acquisition as a fantastic opportunity to continue to nurture and grow the Bushmills Irish Whiskey brand globally.

“We see great synergies and similarities between the two brands. Like Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Jose Cuervo is built on a very strong tradition of quality and craftsmanship that dates back over 250 years.”

Operations director at Diageo Colin O’Brien said the deal represents further progress in Diageo’s strategy to build its presence in the world’s fastest growing markets and to strengthen its global position in tequila.