Highland Park owner Edrington has reached an agreement to sell blended Scotch whisky brands The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt.
Through its subsidiary The 1887 Company Limited, Edrington has agreed to sell the two blended Scotch brands to William Grant & Sons for an undisclosed sum, subject to customary regulatory approvals, including from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
Edrington said the sale marked the next stage of its mission to be the world’s best at crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands.
Scott McCroskie, Edrington CEO, said: “This decision is driven by our strategy to focus on our core strengths and the growth opportunities in the ultra-premium spirits category. We consider this the right moment for Edrington to exit the blended Scotch category and focus on our core portfolio of ultra-premium spirit brands.
“The Famous Grouse is a well-loved brand that has consistently performed in its category during the time it has been part of Edrington, and Naked Malt has grown its reputation. I am confident that these brands are well-positioned to continue to succeed as part of the William Grant & Sons portfolio.”
A spokesperson for William Grant & Sons commented: “Having been around for over 125 years, The Famous Grouse has a rich history and would be a significant addition to our portfolio. The brand has potential for innovation and international growth in a number of markets, and we’re excited about what the future holds.”
Naked Malt was formerly known as Naked Grouse whisky, but was given a rebrand in 2021 to make whisky ‘more accessible’ to consumers.
In July, Edrington saw its revenue rise by 11% in the year to 31 March 2024, led by double-digit gains for The Macallan, which the firm said was its central focus.
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Author: Georgie Collins
