Asahi Group Holdings — Whisky company

Asahi Group Holdings is a Japanese drinks holding company, based in Tokyo, that began as Osaka Brewery in 1889.^1,2,3 Its whisky business is Nikka, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Breweries in April 2001.^1,4,5 Through Nikka, the group also owns the Ben Nevis distillery in Scotland, bought in 1989.^2,6,7

Status

Producing, 1889–today

Name

Osaka Brewery, 1889–2011
Asahi Group Holdings, 2011–today

Brands

Taketsuru
Brand · Japan
Glencoe
Brand · Scotland
Nevis Dew
Brand · Highland, Scotland
Dew of Ben Nevis
Brand · Scotland

A beer company first

Osaka Brewery had helped form Dai Nippon Brewery, which a law against concentrated economic power split up in 1949, creating Asahi Breweries.^1,4 Its president was Tamesaburo Yamamoto.^1,4

Backing Nikka

In 1954, with banks refusing Nikka loans, Asahi Breweries took a stake in the whisky maker, receiving half its issued shares from the Kaga and Shibakawa families.^1,4,8 Kaga, a major shareholder in poor health, arranged the deal with Asahi president Tamesaburo Yamamoto, a longtime friend.^1,4,8 In 1963, a grain whisky distillery was built inside the Nishinomiya brewery of Asahi, then part-owner of Nikka.⁹ In 1989 Nikka bought Ben Nevis from the brewer Whitbread, adding Scotch whisky to Asahi's brands.^2,6,7

Full owner

In April 2001 Asahi Breweries brought Nikka's sales into its own business as Nikka became its wholly owned subsidiary.^1,4,5 In July 2011 Asahi Breweries became Asahi Group Holdings, a holding company, with a new Asahi Breweries under it.^1,3

Sources

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