Disposal of the Gartbreck Distillery project on Islay in Scotland - Scotch Whisky - 2023
Sellers: Jean et Martine Donnay
Buyer: Chivas Brothers Limited (Scotland), subsidiary of the Pernod Ricard Group (France)
Wine Experts acting as financial advisor to the sellers, in relation to the transaction
Following the sale of their historic Glann ar Mor Distillery in Brittany, advised by Wine Experts in 2020, Jean and Martine Donnay wanted to restart their project of creating a new Distillery in Scotland, on the island of Islay, the Mecca for great Scottish peated single malts, which brings together the renowned Distilleries Lagavalin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen…
An exceptional site on Islay was selected with care by Jean and Martine Donnay, at an historic place called Gartbreck, located on the banks of Loch Indall, opposite of the Bruichladdish and Port Charlotte Distilleries. Then they obtained authorization to set up a new Distillery on this privileged site.
The site and this ambitious project are transferred to Chivas Bothers, the Scottish subsidiary of the Pernod Ricard group.
Concerning Jean Donnay:
Jean Donnay was elected "Whisky Distillery Manager of the year" in 2014.
His Kornog peated Whisky was awarded “European Whisky of the Year” in 2016 in the Whisky Bible and was selected in 2018 in the top 10 of the best peated Whiskies on the planet by the American magazine “Whisky Advocate”.
In 15 years, Kornog has won numerous Gold Liquid Awards and has thus entered the Jim Murray's "Superstar Whisky" category (score > 94/100).
His Glann ar Mor non peated Whisky was also elected n°1 of the non-peated French Whiskies, by the Revue des Vins de France (RVF).
Concerning Chivas Brothers:
Chivas Brothers is the subsidiary of the Pernod Ricard Group, dedicated to Scottish Whiskys. Chivas Brothers holds a portfolio of internationally recognized malts and blends, including The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s and is therefore investing in its first distillery on the island of Islay.