The deal was announced one day after the Swedish government closed its $8.8 billion deal to sell its state-owned spirits company Vin & Sprits to France's Pernod Ricard SA.
In March Pernod Richard won a battle to buy V&S, the maker of Absolut Vodka, beating out Fortune, which produces Jim Beam bourbon and owns the rest of wine and spirits company Beam Global.
That deal did not include V&S' stake in Beam.
Fortune Brands already owned 90% of Beam, and it had been looking to exercise a right it retained allowing it to buy the V&S stake, but the two drinks giants had been unable to agree on a price. This deal will finally make Fortune Brands the full owner of Beam Global.
- Donna Block