Tilaknagar Industries has finalized its acquisition of the Imperial Blue whisky business from Pernod Ricard India for a lump sum of Rs 3,442 crore (approx. US$384 million). The deal, which also includes a deferred payment of €28 million (approx. US$32.5 million), significantly expands the Indian company’s presence in the domestic whisky market.
Tilaknagar Industries is the owner of brands including Mansion House Brandy, Courrier Napoleon Brandy, and Blue Lagoon Gin.
The transaction previously received approval from the Competition Commission of India.
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Imperial Blue is the third-largest whisky brand in India by volume. The brand sold approximately 22.4 million nine-liter cases in the year ending March 2025, reporting revenue of Rs 3,067 crore, according to The Economic Times.
The purchase gives Tilaknagar global ownership of the Imperial Blue brand and its allied trademarks, such as Imperial Black and Imperial Red.
Additionally, a trademark license agreement will allow Tilaknagar to use the ‘Seagram’s’ name with Imperial Blue for a defined transition period.
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READ THE STORYThe company has also entered into a long-term supply agreement with Chivas Brothers for Concentrated Alcoholic Beverage (CAB), a key raw material for the whisky.
To ensure a smooth handover, the companies have established a Transitional Services and Manufacturing Agreement.
The deal includes two owned manufacturing units in Punjab and Maharashtra, with access to shared units during the transition.
Approximately 116 employees are expected to transfer from Pernod Ricard India to Tilaknagar.
As reported by The Economic Times, Tilaknagar chairman and managing director Amit Dahanukar said: “The acquisition of Imperial Blue significantly scales up our business, representing a decisive step in our ambition to build a truly pan-India presence across all IMFL categories.”
He added: “This acquisition also accelerates our premiumisation journey, enabling us to broaden our offerings across Prestige-and-Above price-points and enhance the value we deliver to consumers.”
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