William Grant & Sons has completed the acquisition of The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt from The 1887 Company, adding two of Scotland’s best-known whisky brands to its global portfolio.
The deal brings Scotland’s top-selling whisky, The Famous Grouse, under the same roof as Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder. Naked Malt also joins the line-up, with WG&S describing the brand as having “significant growth potential” in the blended malt segment.
Søren Hagh, Chief Executive Officer of William Grant & Sons, 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.”
A dedicated transition team has been put in place to manage the handover from The 1887 Company and ensure continuity for customers.
Picture credit: John Paul Photography