The French drinks group, Pernod Ricard, has said that it would sell the four Scottish distilleries which were mothballed last autumn, if acceptable bids were received.

Chairman and CEO of Chivas, the company’s Scotch whisky subsidiary, Georges Nectoux, said that the group had received offers for the four distilleries, Allt A’Bhainne, Braeval (formerly known as Braes of Glenlivet), Benriach and Caperdonich, but they had fallen short of its valuation.

Nectoux said no talks were currently ongoing but that a sale could be concluded if suitable offers were received.