UNI

New Delhi, Oct 8: Shrugging aside rumours of its acquisition by Vijay Mallya's United Spirits, a part of United Breweries, for a sum of 400 million pounds, Scotland-based producer of premium spirits Whyte & Mackay today clarified that it 'has not been sold' out.

"Despite recent press speculation, I would like to confirm that Whyte & Mackay has not been sold. We have received offers for part of the business and are continuing to evaluate all of our strategic options,'' said Whyte & Mackay Chairman and Chief Executive Vivian Imerman.

After acquiring French wine-maker Bouvet-Ladubay, a subsidiary of Taittinger, for 18.6 million dollars in July, the two billion dollar UB Group had announced that it was eyeing Whyte & Mackay. Earlier, this week a section of the media reported that the deal has already been completed.

Contradicting these reports, Imerman said his company is in the middle of a 100 million pounds investment programme and has great confidence in the business to perform well over the next five years.

"Whyte & Mackay has taken many strong initiatives in restructuring its business. The company has consolidated its facilities, merging Scottish plants to increase operating efficiencies with the new state-of-the-art bottling facility now open in Grangemouth,'' he added.

The largest-selling scotch brand in Scotland, which has a turnover in excess of 150 million pounds, has also re-launched its flagship brand along with Vladivar and Jura in the UK.

It employs over 600 staff in Scotland and the UK. In the near future, the company will also be adding its new all-purpose production facility in Grangemouth, Scotland to its other Scottish distilleries, which include the Isle of Jura (situated off the west coast of Scotland) and The Dalmore (based in Ross-shire).