View of the façade of The Island, Pernod Ricard's headquarters in Paris, France.

Our History

Discover an entrepreneurial story that began in 1805 with the creation of Pernod and then in 1932 of Ricard. From 1975 the two families merged, creating the next chapter that spans the globe and over forty years of progress and success.

Paul Ricard and Jean Hemard sign a contract at the creation of Pernod Ricard in 1975.

1970s – 1990s

  • 1975: Creation of Pernod Ricard from the merger of two French anise-based spirits companies: Pernod, founded in 1805, and Ricard, created in 1932 by Paul Ricard.
  • 1988: Acquisition of leading Irish whiskey producer Irish Distillers – owner of Jameson.
  • 1989: Acquisition of Orlando Wyndham, makers of Jacob’s Creek 
  • 1993: Creation of joint venture between Pernod Ricard and the Cuban rum company, Cuba Ron to market and sell Havana Club.
  • 1998: Creation of the Pernod Ricard Corporate Foundation dedicated to the promotion of French Contemporary art and delivering the Prix Ricard

 

Close up of a person's hands holding a bottle of The Glenlivet in their right hand and a a glass of whisky in their left hand.

2000s

  • 2001: Acquisition of Seagram, securing key positions in whisky (Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute) and cognac (Martell) categories
  • 2005: Pernod Ricard becomes world #2 wine and spirits organisation with the acquisition of Allied Domecq and brands such as Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, Ballantine's, Malibu and Beefeater
  • 2007: Became the first global wine and spirits group to introduce the pregnancy warning label to all products throughout Europe 
  • 2008: Acquisition of Vin & Sprit – owner of Absolut Vodka
  • 2009: Pernod Ricard decides to make "créateurs de convivialité" its new corporate signature
The Island rooftop garden
In order to know where you're going, you need to know where you come from.
Patrick Ricard
A bottle of Monkey 47 gin presented beside a cocktail in a tall glass.

2010s

  • 2011: Launch of Responsib’ALL Day, Pernod Ricard’s annual social engagement volunteer event involving the Group’s entire workforce.
    Upgrade of Group’s credit rating to investment grade.

  • 2016: Acquisition of majority stake in Black Forest Distillers GmbH – owner of the super premium gin, Monkey 47. 
    Signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
    The Institut Océanographique Paul Ricard celebrates its 50th anniversary.

  • 2017: Acquisition of majority stake in high-end bourbon producer Smooth Ambler and in Del Maguey Single Village, the #1 mezcal in the United States. 

Launch of the Transform and Accelerate strategic plan in 2018.

  • 2018: Launch of Transform & Accelerate, Pernod Ricard’s strategic plan
    - Nomination of Pernod Ricard as a member company of Global Compact Lead
    - Adhesion to the New Plastics Economy led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

  • 2019: Launch of new 2030 Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap ‘Good Times from a Good Place’
    - Acquisition of the super-premium gin, Malfy. 
    - Acquisition of a majority stake in super-premium bourbon Rabbit Hole Whiskey
    - Acquisition of Castle Brands (Jefferson's), expanding our bourbon and whiskey portfolio
    - Acquisition of Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., owner of the super-premium Texan whiskey TX
    - Breaking ground for the first single malt distillery in continental China at Emeishan (Sichuan)

Interior view of The Island, Pernod Ricard's headquarters in Paris, France.

2020 - present

  • 2020: Inauguration of The Island,  the Group’s new flagship in Paris, which brings together all its Parisian offices and 900 employees
    - Announcement of our commitment to ban all single-use plastic at the point of sale, by 2021
    - Drinks & Co flagship retail stores open in Shanghai (September 22) and Paris (December 5) 
  • 2021: Age-restriction labelling to be introduced to all bottles produced by our brands worldwide, three years ahead of schedule
St Hugo
Our Strategy
Governance
Our Governance
Friends celebrate a toast while having a meal seated at a table in a garden.
Our Role in Society