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SPANISH BRANDY Pt.2

DOMECQ

Domecq was founded in 1730 as a sherry producer. It produced
Spain’s first modern brandy in 1874 and called it Fundador. This
was an apt name as it translates as founder. It is still a very popular
brandy and sold in many countries. For a basic brandy it has less
fruit added than similar graded brandies. It is aged for three years
before bottling.

Domecq
opened a few
distilleries in
Colombia,
Venezuela and
Brazil as well
as one in
Mexico. The
Mexican
distillery
produces
seven million cases of brandy
annually making it the biggest
brandy distillery in the world.
Presidente is their brand name.

At the top end of the market comes Carlos 1. This quality brandy first appeared in
1889 when some old barrels were found at the back of the warehouse. This is a pure
brandy with no added flavourings and is graded Gran Reserva.

In 1994 the company merged with British company, Allied
Lyons to become Allied Domecq. In 2007 Allied Domecq was
bought jointly by Fortune Brands (better known as Jim Beam
and later acquired by Suntory to become Beam Suntory) and
Pernod Ricard. The assets were split up between the two
purchasers with Domecq going to Fortune Brands. Some of
the Domecq brands were later on-sold. In 2015 Fundador was
bought by Emperador of the Philippines (they also own Whyte
& Mackay and Terry Brandy), Osborne bought Carlos 1 and
González Byass bought Presidente. When one of these global
conglomerates buy another company they may end up with
two brands with similar markets. They then sell one of the
brands to another giant who also buy the trade names,
usually the stock and aften the production facilities.

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