Mallya is to sell a 49 per cent stake in Whyte & Mackay.
Mallya is also seeking a strategic partner in the parent company, United Breweries, with a possible sale of up to 14.9 per cent to Diageo.
The whisky company was acquired in May 2007 for £595 million from Vivian Immerman in a deal that, at the time, was considered by many to be primarily a whisky stock investment deal between two savvy businessmen. The large stocks of maturing whisky were valued then at around £364 million, making up around 60% of the purchase price.
Today, the value of those stocks alone, according to a spokesman, has increased by £92 million to £456 million pounds. Or at least had done before the downturn. It is hoped that the price of the 49% share in Whyte & Mackay will reflect this increased stock value.
"Pleasingly Irreverent"
