Paris, Feb. 6 - Diaego, the world's largest wines and spirits group, said on Wednesday it was no longer looking to acquire Swedish vodka brand Absolut following a deal to acquire a stake in premium vodka maker Ketel One.
"We have now said that we are not in the market for that brand (Absolut). We are delighted with the rights we have secured as part of this (Ketel One) deal," Diageo CEO Paul Walsh told CNBC television in an interview.
"We believe that Ketel One has got far better growth prospects," Walsh said.
Diageo had previously expressed interest in bidding for Absolut vodka maker Vin & Sprit, which Sweden's government is in the process of privatising. Other groups interested in Vin & Sprit include France's Pernod Ricard.