Brown-Forman rejects Sazerac’s $15bn takeover bid

13 May, 2026

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has allegedly rejected a reported US$15 billion takeover bid from Sazerac, weeks after merger talks with Pernod Ricard ended.

According to the Wall Street Journal, advisers for Brown-Forman informed Sazerac on Monday (11 May) that the company was rejecting the $32-a-share cash offer Sazerac recently made, citing unnamed sources. 

It was reported that Sazerac’s latest all-cash offer was financially backed by Wells Fargo and Apollo Global Management.

The deal would have allowed Brown-Forman’s Class A shareholders to take cash or roll their shares into the new company.

Brown-Forman was previously in talks to merge with Pernod Ricard, however negotiations were unsuccessful. 





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