Remy Cointreau, a France-based producer of cognac, liqueurs, brandy, champagne, rum, gin and Armagnac, is in talks to purchase Bruichladdich Distillery to meet the demands for premium whisky in Asia.

Remy, which sold its champagne division in 2011, ended the fiscal 2011-2012 with net debt of €188.6m, reported Reuters.

The company since then has been looking for a premium whisky or brand to make up for its portfolio.

The acquisition plan comes on the back drop of recent investments from spirit giants in the sector which includes Diageo’s investment of more than $1.55bn in the drinks sector over the next five years and Pernod Ricard’s £40m pound investment in May 2012 for its malt distilleries.

Remy Cointreau chief executive Jean-Marie Laborde told the website that the company – which recently paid a special dividend to shareholders on the back of strong profit – had a billion euros for acquisitions and was on the lookout for one or several brands.

Despite an uncertain economic climate in Europe, the French spirits group was confident it could generate steady and profitable growth and grow its brands due to strong demand in Asia.

Sanford Bernstein analysts said Remy Cointreau plans to gain instant incremental profit from putting Bruichladdich through Remy Cointreau’s distribution network and also add significant revenue synergies from the extra reach that Remy Cointreau would bring.

"However, it is difficult to see Bruichladdich making a huge difference to Remy Cointreau’s bottom line," analysts added.

According to the analysts, Remy would use only a fraction of its accumulated cash to purchase Bruichladdich Distillery, as even applying a valuation of 20 times EBIDTA would give a price of about €43m.