Bacardi Eyes Absolut

Rum maker’s CEO says vodka “would be a perfect fit.”

Bacardi Ltd, which shook up the spirits industry a few years ago by acquiring Grey Goose vodka for $2 billion, now has Absolut vodka in its sights.

Bacardi has informed the Swedish government that it wants to buy Vin & Spirit, the state-owned distiller of Absolut, the No. 1 imported vodka in the U.S.

From the Financial Times:

“V&S and Absolut especially would be a terrific fit for Bacardi,” (Bacardi CEO Andreas Gembler) told the Financial Times. “Of the few global brands that are really left to acquire, V&S – and in particular Absolut – obviously represents a jewel for a company like ours.”

The future of Vin & Spirit has been the subject of much speculation since last year, when pro-privatization conservatives came to power in the Swedish parliament.

Rumors swirled that Anheuser-Busch, which has made no secret it’s interested in spirits, might be a potential buyer. But A-B CEO August Busch IV has said the brewer will not go after Absolut.

Other contenders for Absolut include Pernod Ricard and Fortune Brands, which has a U.S. marketing joint venture with V&S.