William Grant & Sons (WG&S) has today – 1st July 2025 – welcomed The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands into its portfolio, successfully completing its acquisition from The 1887 Company.
This historic moment demonstrates the Company’s commitment to the global Scotch whisky category and confidence in the future of the wider spirits industry. The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt will be joining WG&S’ portfolio alongside iconic spirits brands Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder.
The Famous Grouse is Scotland’s best-selling whisky and one of the top-selling Scotch whisky brands worldwide, renowned for its quality and heritage, while Naked Malt has garnered a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts and has significant growth potential within the blended malt segment.
Søren Hagh, Chief Executive Officer of 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.”
A dedicated team is in place to ensure a smooth transition from The 1887 Company, and continuity for customers and consumers of these much-loved brands.
Note that The 1887 Company was formed in 1999 through a partnership between Edrington (70%) and William Grant & Sons (30%) to acquire Highland Distillers and its brands, including The Famous Grouse. In September 2024, The 1887 Company/its parent, Edrington, agreed to sell The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands to William Grant & Sons and the UK Competition and Markets Authority approved the deal in March 2025.
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