Is Wild Turkey on the Chopping Block?

[cowdery]

Published sources are reporting that Pernod Ricard will gladly sell the Wild Turkey bourbon brand and its Lawrenceburg, KY, distillery, if a suitable buyer can be found. They're trying to raise cash to make their recent acquisition of Absolut Vodka go down more smoothly.

According to at least one published report, Wild Turkey is at the very top of the "for sale" list.

More here.

[MikeK]

Sweet! I must go buy a lottery ticket...

[OscarV]

OK all y'all SB.com'ers out there,... let's pass the hat and buy this Turkey!

I'm serious.

[Attila]

None of those 15 core brands are ever on my shopping list.

[funknik]

OK all y'all SB.com'ers out there,... let's pass the hat and buy this Turkey!

I'm serious.

I wonder how much it's worth...let's do it!

[Josh]

Put me down for five dollars.

[kickert]

If someone buys it, they can sell job opportunities Blagojevich-style. I bet you get top dollar for one of the whiskey tasting positions.

[Thesh]

I'll go in for $20.

[Dramiel McHinson]

Maybe we'll get lucky and a Non-Beam American company will buy it. Darn! I sure hate to see the Bird go extinct.

[SBOmarc]

Whatever cash I have.

That won't be nearly enough.

Calling my Congressman to determine how much we could get for a bailout.

[ILLfarmboy]

....I sure hate to see the Bird go extinct.

Dear God.. Could it come to that?

[Jazzhead]

I don't think so. Pernoud needs to raise cash because of another acquistion (Absolute), so it stands to reason that it's selling something that has value. WT is an iconic brand. Their whiskey is delicious. I can't imagine a scenario where the brand goes extinct. At greater risk is the distillery, if the buyer is also a distiller with excess capacity.

[cowdery]

Perhaps my endangered species crack was overly-clever. Wild Turkey may be sold to another parent company, that's all. Its existence is not in jeopardy.

[Hondo]

Perhaps my endangered species crack was overly-clever. Wild Turkey may be sold to another parent company, that's all. Its existence is not in jeopardy.

WT101 is one of my favorites... I sure hope nothing changes the flavor profile of this fine bourbon.

[funknik]

WT101 is one of my favorites... I sure hope nothing changes the flavor profile of this fine bourbon.

I really think the Wild Turkey brand, like Chuck says, is SO iconic with a devout following -- whoever picks it up will want to keep it and its clientele intact.

[Hondo]

I really think the Wild Turkey brand, like Chuck says, is SO iconic with a devout following -- whoever picks it up will want to keep it and its clientele intact.

I am sure that you are right... however I think I might use this as an excuse to bunker a case or two.

My wife has put her foot down and said that I absoulutely can't buy anymore burbon until I drink what I have or else. I'm sure gona miss her... :grin:

[Dramiel McHinson]

Perhaps my endangered species crack was overly-clever. Wild Turkey may be sold to another parent company, that's all. Its existence is not in jeopardy.

[GreggB]

Calling my Congressman to determine how much we could get for a bailout.

Yeah, WT is too big to fail.

[smokinjoe]

For all of the reasons mentioned here, I don't think there is any chance that the Wild Turkey "brand" will go away in any sale. But, as history has shown us many, many, times in this industry, the product inside the bottle is definitely NOT off-limits to change, in such a circumstance.

[VERITAS]

Maybe we'll get lucky and a Non-Beam American company will buy it. Darn! I sure hate to see the Bird go extinct.

My money is on Skyy Spirits... they have a decent whiskey portfolio already and have been looking for a bourbon to round out their offerings.

[kickert]

Hey Folks,

I just got back from a trip to WT. I have some inside information on this. WT is in fact up for sale after their parent company bought Absolute and wanted get some cash back in their account.

Right now there are two companies looking to purchase WT. One is visiting the plant next week and the other in a few weeks. The first should be no surprise: Diageo. The second is Proximo spirits, which bottles 3 Olives Vodka.

I thought you all would be interested in this information.

[Josh]

Thanks for the info Kickert. Diageo...that's a possibility that won't make anybody happy. I'm currently re-reading your signature...

[kickert]

Thanks for the info Kickert. Diageo...that's a possibility that won't make anybody happy. I'm currently re-reading your signature...

I tend to agree. Although, if Diageo buys WT, they would certainly be doing it for the distillation infrastructure.

[doubleblank]

I understand BT gave them a quick look too but felt Barton was the better fit for BT's needs........and asking price.

Randy

[funknik]

So should we start hoarding the Turkey or what? Frozen turkeys everywhere.