The 1988 acquisition of Irish Distillers Ltd (IDL) by Pernod Ricard is the great drinks industry acquisition that almost never happened. As the story goes, the French company – then a fraction of the size of today’s colossus – originally only wanted a small slice of the Irish whiskey pie.
Senior Bitburger exec steps down amid “strategic” differences
However, Jan Niewodniczanski is to remain a shareholder in the business.
Kristian Bayford September 30 2025


