Spirits firm welcomes The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt whisky brands
SPIRITS giant William Grant & Sons (WG&S) has welcomed the addition of The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt whisky brands to its portfolio, successfully completing its acquisition from The 1887 Company – subsidiary firm to Edrington.
This historic purchase for WG&S marks a new step forward for the firm as it says it looks to further its commitment to the global Scotch whisky category with confidence. The Famous Grouse and Naked will join WG&S’s already expansive range of well-known spirits brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder.
Edrington announced its plans to sell the two brands in 2024 and, at the time, Scott McCroskie, chief executive at Edrington, said: “This decision is driven by our strategy to focus on our core strengths and the growth opportunities in the ultra-premium spirits category.”
A dedicated team is in place to ensure a smooth transition from The 1887 Company to WG&S to ensure continuity and availability for the brands’ customer bases.
Speaking on the finalised sale to WG&S, Søren Hagh, chief executive officer at WG&S, 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. 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.”
