Pernod, Jack Daniel’s Maker Brown-Forman Are in Merger Talks (4)

Pernod Ricard SA and Brown-Forman Corp., the owner of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, are discussing a merger as the alcoholic drink companies look at ways to consolidate amid an industry downturn.

The French beverages company, with a market value of €15.9 billion ($18.3 billion), and Louisville, Kentucky-based Brown-Forman, with a market capitalization of $12.3 billion, said in statements that they were in talks to combine, confirming areport by Bloomberg News.

A combination would bring together Pernod’s top sellers like Martell Cognac, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Absolut Vodka with Brown-Forman’s whiskeys and other brands including Fords Gin and Herradura tequila. ...