Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya is understood to be close to finalising a takeover bid for iconic Scottish whisky firm Whyte & Mackay (W&M).
Reports in the Indian press suggest Dr Mallya's UB Group is on the verge of completing a deal for the company, with figures of up to £550 million quoted.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Whyte & Mackay chairman Vivian Immerman acknowledged that preliminary discussions between the two parties had taken place.
"You can't miss his jet. I can't deny it," he said, signalling the well-known Indian businessman had been to see the Glasgow firm's key players.
Due diligence procedures are now said to be underway, with the deal potentially being wrapped up inside two weeks.
Brands under the W&M banner include Jura and Dalmore single malt whiskies, Vladivar Vodka and Glayva liqueur.
UB Group has been eyeing up the Scottish company for some time, making contact last year with an unsolicited offer.
Now it appears the deal for the historic firm, founded in 1843, could be on the verge of completion.
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