On July 1st, William Grant & Sons formally welcomed The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands into its spirits portfolio, completing their acquisition from The 1887 Company, a subsidiary of The Edrington Group.
In a move that is said to demonstrate Grant’s ‘commitment to the global Scotch whisky category and confidence in the future of the wider spirits industry’, the two whisky blends will now sit alongside successful brands Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder.
The Famous Grouse has been the best-selling whisky in Scotland since 1980 and is now exported to over 100 countries, making it the number four standard blended Scotch whisky worldwide, while Naked Malt has garnered a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts and is said to have ‘significant growth potential’ within the blended malt segment.
Chief executive officer of WG&S, Søren Hagh, said: “I am delighted to complete this acquisition and welcome The Famous Grouse into our portfolio.
“It is a remarkable Scottish brand with rich history and a strong market position in a number of countries. Over the coming years, we will build on this strong foundation and work to evolve the brand into a true global icon.
“We also see a lot of potential in Naked Malt, which will be a great addition to our portfolio,” said Hagh. “Together, these brands perfectly complement our vision for growth, and we look forward to investing in their future and sharing their stories with whisky lovers around the world.”
WG&S stressed that a ‘dedicated team’ was in place to ensure a smooth transition from The 1887 Company, and continuity for customers and consumers of these brands.
