Pernod Ricard () is a French company best known for its

anise Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Eurasia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, licorice, and ta ...

-flavoured pastis apéritifs Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis (often referred to simply as ''Pernod'' or '' Ricard''). The world’s second-largest wine and spirits seller, it also produces several other types of pastis.

History

After the banning of

absinthe Absinthe (, ) is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from several plants, including the flowers and leaves of ''Artemisia absinthium'' ("grand wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Historical ...

, Pernod Ricard was created from the

Pernod Fils Pernod Ricard () is a French company best known for its anise-flavoured pastis apéritifs Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis (often referred to simply as ''Pernod'' or ''Ricard''). The world’s second-largest wine and spirits seller, it also produ ...

company, which had produced absinthe. Pernod Ricard owned the distilled beverage division of the former corporation Seagram (including brands like

Chivas Regal Chivas Regal () is a blended Scotch whisky manufactured by Chivas Brothers, which is part of Pernod Ricard. It was founded in 1786, with its home being in the Strathisla distillery at Keith, Moray in Speyside, Scotland, and is the oldest contin ...

) until 2006, along with many other holdings. In 2005, the company acquired a British-based competitor,

Allied Domecq PLC Allied Domecq PLC was an international company, headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses. It was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent but has been acquired by Pernod Ricard. The ...

. In 2008, Pernod Ricard announced its acquisition of Swedish-based V&S Group, which produces Absolut Vodka. In 2013, Pernod Ricard joined leading alcohol producers as part of a producers' commitments to reducing harmful drinking. In December 2018, Elliott Management Corporation purchased a 2.5% stake in Pernod Ricard.In December 2022, Pernot Ricard announced plans to open a US$250 million carbon-neutral whiskey distillery in Marion County, Kentucky in 2025. According to the NGO Alliance Anticorrida, Pernod Ricard was the major funder of

bullfighting Bullfighting is a physical contest that involves a bullfighter attempting to subdue, immobilize, or kill a bull, usually according to a set of rules, guidelines, or cultural expectations. There are several variations, including some forms wh ...

in France, financing bullfighting clubs and sponsoring corridas despite the opposition of a majority of French citizens to blood sports. In 2020, Pernod Ricard ended the association with bullfighting clubs.

Pernod

*1797 – , a Swiss distiller, opens his first absinthe distillery in Switzerland. *1805 – Maison Pernod Fils (simply known as Pernod Fils) is founded in Pontarlier,

Franche-Comté Franche-Comté (, ; ; Frainc-Comtou: ''Fraintche-Comtè''; frp, Franche-Comtât; also german: Freigrafschaft; es, Franco Condado; all ) is a cultural and historical region of eastern France. It is composed of the modern departments of Doubs, ...

, eastern France, by Henri-Louis Pernod and begins production of the

-flavored spirit known as

. *1850 – Henri-Louis Pernod dies. *1871 – Distillerie Hémard is founded near Paris. *1872 – Société Pernod Père & Fils opens in

Avignon Avignon (, ; ; oc, Avinhon, label=Provençal dialect, Provençal or , ; la, Avenio) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse Departments of France, department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region of So ...

. *1915 – Production and consumption of absinthe is prohibited in France. *1926 – All 3 distilleries merge to form Les Établissements Pernod. *1951 – Pastis 51 is launched. *1965 – Takeover of Distillerie Rousseau, Laurens et Moureaux, producer of Suze liquor since 1889.

Ricard

*1932 – ''Ricard'', which soon becomes France's favorite long drink, is founded in Marseille by Paul Ricard. *1940 – Production of pastis is prohibited by the Vichy regime. *1944 – Production of pastis becomes legal again. *1968 – Paul Ricard retires; his son Patrick becomes CEO in 1978.

Pernod Ricard

*1975 – Old rivals Pernod and Ricard merge to form Pernod Ricard S.A.. *1988 – Pernod Ricard acquires Irish Distillers (which includes Jameson Irish whiskeys). *1989 – Pernod Ricard acquires Orlando Wyndham (makers of Jacob's Creek). *1993 – Pernod Ricard works with Cuban companies to create Havana Club International. *1998 – Pernod Ricard acquires the

Yerevan Brandy Company Yerevan Brandy Company ( (''Yerevani Konyaki Gortsaran'')), commonly known with its famous brand "ArArAt", is the leading enterprise of Armenia for the production of cognac. It was founded in 1887, during the period of the Russian Empire. After t ...

. *2001 – Pernod Ricard purchases 38% of Seagram's Wines and Spirits business. *2005 – Pernod Ricard purchases Allied Domecq. *2008 – Pernod Ricard purchases V&S Group, including the Absolut Vodka brand, from the Swedish government. *2022 - Pernod Ricard acquired the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

ready-to-serve cocktail brand, Cockorico.

Subsidiaries

*Chivas Brothers Ltd – whisky and gin branch of Pernod Ricard. Owner of 13 Scotch malt distilleries, 1 grain distillery and 2 gin distilleries. *''

Pernod Ricard Winemakers Pernod Ricard Winemakers is the wholly owned wine subsidiary of France, French wine and spirits producer Pernod Ricard, which is one of the largest alcoholic beverage companies in the world. It arose from the Australian and New Zealand companie ...

'' – owner of Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus, Aura, Azpilicueta, and Siglo *''

Corby Distilleries Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a Canadian alcohol manufacturing and distribution company. It was founded in 1859 in Corbyville, Ontario. As of 2008, the company is 46% owned by Pernod Ricard. The company distills several Canadian specialities, ...

'' – Canadian subsidiary; owner of

Wiser's whisky Established in 1857, J.P. Wiser's Whisky is one of Canada's oldest continuously produced Canadian whiskeys. Hiram Walker & Sons Limited currently produces it at their Windsor, Ontario, . Since 1935, J.P. Wiser's has been the majority shareholder ...

, Lamb's rum; Hiram Walker & Sons Limited is majority shareholder of Corby and itself unit of Pernod Ricard *''Pernod Ricard Rouss'' – subsidiary in the Russian Federation *'' Irish Distillers'' – Irish subsidiary *''Pernod Ricard Armenia'' – Armenian subsidiary and owner of

*''Pernod Ricard Hellas'' – subsidiary in Greece *''Pernod Ricard India'' – Indian subsidiary

Brands

; Whisky ; Vodkas ; Other ; Wine and Champagne Pernod Ricard previously owned the non-alcoholic chocolate beverage Yoo-hoo, which was acquired from a group of private investors in 1989. Pernod Ricard also previously owned the carbonated citrus drink Orangina. Both brands were sold in 2001 to Cadbury Schweppes.

References

External links

* {{Euro Stoxx 50 Companies Distilleries in France French brands Holding companies of France Multinational companies headquartered in France Absinthe Anise liqueurs and spirits French companies established in 1975 Food and drink companies established in 1975 Holding companies established in 1975 CAC 40 Companies in the Euro Stoxx 50 Companies listed on Euronext Paris