IT is always worrying to see a Scottish company pass into foreign hands, but the offer from Remy Cointreau was too good for Bruichladdich shareholders to turn down.

This should not be seen as a doom and gloom story even if some whisky enthusiasts will bemoan the loss of an independent and recently quirky distillery.

Recent history suggests non-UK ownership of whisky brands can work. For example Pernod has been unafraid to invest in its Chivas Brothers operations while Glenmorangie appears to be thriving as a luxury brand under the patronage of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. Certainly Remy is making the right kind of noises so far with plans to keep Bruichladdich based on Islay and protect the current workforce.

Let's also not forget this is another show of faith from the drinks industry in the global growth of Scotch whisky.

Remy, a company best known for liqueurs and champagne, clearly has major plans to get the Bruichladdich brand into many more markets.

An increase in production - and possibly more jobs on the back of that - has already been mooted.

Mark Reynier and the original backers of Bruichladdich must take a lot of credit for spotting the potential in the mothballed distillery and building it up into a profitable operation.

It would seem churlish to criticise them for realising the investment in such a way that preserves the business and offers great opportunities for expansion.