Suntory to bid for Whyte & Mackay?

An Indian news channel has claimed Suntory has offered to buy United Spirits’ Whyte & Mackay whisky arm.

The Japanese company recently became the world’s third largest spirits company with a US$16 billion buy out of Beam Inc.

According to Bloomberg, Indian financial news channel CNBC TV18 reported that Suntory had offered to buy the Scotch producer outright though it couldn’t name its sources.

Suntory is said to have offered less than US$1bn for the maker of the Jura and Dalmore malts.

Whyte & Mackay is currently on the market as Diageo said it would sell certain assets following its takeover of United Spirits last year due to competition concerns raised by the UK Office of Fair Trading.

It is thought that Suntory may be trying to expand its UK presence as it already owns Morrison Bowmore Distillers.

However, that asset may cause problems with the OFT for Suntory if it really is thinking of bidding for Whyte & Mackay.

Neither Suntory or United Spirits have made any comment so far.

Last week Suntory acquired US drinks company Beam in a deal worth $16bn.