- William Grant & Sons has successfully completed the acquisition of The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands from Edrington.
- The competition watchdog cleared the acquisition in March, following an agreement reached between Edrington and William Grant & Sons in September last year.
- A dedicated team is in place to ensure a smooth transition for customers and consumers of these brands.
William Grant & Sons today added The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands into its portfolio, successfully completing its acquisition from The 1887 Company, a subsidiary of Edrington.
The company said the development demonstrates its commitment to the global Scotch whisky category and confidence in the future of the wider spirits industry.
In March, the Competition and Markets Authority has cleared the acquisition. Edrington and William Grant & Sons reached an agreement for the sale of the brands in September last year.
The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt will be joining William Grant & Sons’ portfolio alongside leading 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.
“I am delighted to complete this acquisition and welcome The Famous Grouse into our portfolio,” Søren Hagh, chief executive of William Grant & Sons, said.
“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.”
William Grant & Sons said a dedicated team is in place to ensure a smooth transition from The 1887 Company, and continuity for customers and consumers of these brands.