Soon after it emerged that Sazerac could be interloping on a deal between Pernod Ricard Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman, speculation has suggested that the US spirits group may also be expanding its reach in the Asia-Pacific region. 

John Distilleries in India has confirmed that it is open to selling 100% of its business to Sazerac, which already holds around 60% of the company. 

Best known for its flagship brand Original Choice Whisky, John Distilleries was recently valued at around 40 billion rupees, translating to approximately $426.48 million. 

Now, as it looks to grow further, founder Paul John has said that it may be time to sell the remaining portion to scale up the business. 

Speaking to Reuters, John commented: “I have taken the company to the level that I could do it on my own, and from now on, it really needs a big daddy. An association with somebody like Sazerac seems to be a good fit.” 

The possibility of a further sale comes as India continues its rapid growth into one of the world’s largest spirits markets. Recently published data from the IWSR described the country as a “growth engine” for alcohol. 

According to private market data provider Tracxn, the potential deal also emerges at a time when John Distilleries’ finances look healthy, with revenue having risen by 20% to 94.5 billion rupees in 2025. 

No official agreement has been made by either company at present.