Jameson owner Pernod Ricard's shares have tumbled by around 20 per cent over the past 12 months. Photograph: Aidan CawleyShares in Pernod Ricard, the French drinks giant behind Jameson and Powers Irish whiskey, rose on Friday after the group confirmed it is in merger discussions with Jack Daniel’s whiskey owner, Brown Forman. “Following recent speculation in the press, Pernod Ricard confirms that it is in discussions regarding a potential business combination with Brown-Forman,” the group said in a statement. Pernod Ricard was created through a merger in 1975, and its founding family remains involved as shareholders and managers in the group. Its group chief executive is Alexandre Ricard, who ran Irish Distillers and was based in Dublin for a period.

Source: The Irish Times March 27, 2026 11:02 UTC