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Edrington (spirits company)

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The Edrington Group Limited
Company typePrivate limited company
IndustryDrink industry
FoundedApril 25, 1961; 63 years ago (1961-04-25)
FounderThe Robertson sisters (Elspeth, Agnes and Ethel "Babs")
HeadquartersGlasgow, Scotland, UK
Area served
Worldwide
Products
Number of employees
2,500
Distiller entrance in Drumchapel

The Edrington Group Limited,[1] trading as Edrington, is a privately owned international spirits company based in Glasgow, Scotland.[2] It produces single malts such as The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Naked Malt, and The Famous Grouse blended Scotch whisky. The spirits portfolio also includes Noble Oak Bourbon of Independence, Kentucky, and Brugal, the leading golden rum in the Caribbean. It also owns shares in Wyoming Whiskey, an American whiskey made in Kirby, Wyoming, and No. 3 London Dry Gin.[3]

Based in Glasgow, it employs approximately 2,500 people in its wholly owned and joint venture businesses around the world. Approximately 1,000 employees are based in Scotland.

History

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1861: founding of Robertson & Baxter

William A. Robertson began in business in Glasgow in 1850, forming Robertson & Baxter[4] in 1861. In 1885 the company took a share holding in the North British Distillery Company. In 1887 the company became part of a group that founded Highland Distilllers, with William Robertson as its first chairman. When William Roberstson died in 1893, his oldest son, James, became chairman.

1961: creation of Edrington and The Robertson Trust

The Robertson sisters (Elspeth, Agnes and Ethel) inherited the Scotch whisky interests founded and developed by their grandfather and father. Keen to ensure the independence of the company, the welfare of its employees and to continue their tradition of supporting good causes in Scotland, in 1961 the sisters created The Edrington Group[5] (named after their home in the Scottish Borders) to hold their business interests.[6] At the same time, they also established The Robertson Trust, a registered charity under Scottish law, which owns all voting shares in Edrington. The Robertson Trust is now Scotland's largest independent grant-making charitable trust, and is funded by the dividend income of its shares in Edrington.[7] By 2022, the Trust had donated more than £322 million to charities in Scotland since its inception and given financial support to young people from deprived backgrounds who are attending higher education.

In 1999 Edrington acquired Highland Distillers through a partnership with William Grant & Sons taking a minority interest (the 1887 Company).[8]

21st century

In the New Year Honours 2008, former chairman, John James Griffin Good, was made a Knight Bachelor "for services to Scotland".[9]

In February 2008 the company bought a majority shareholding in Brugal of the Dominican Republic, the leading golden rum in the Caribbean.[10]

In April 2010 Edrington acquired Cutty Sark blended Scotch whisky brand from long-standing trading partner Berry Bros. & Rudd.[11]

In 2014 Edrington moved its Asia headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore and created a new regional hub for Asia – Edrington Asia Pacific.[citation needed]

In April 2014, Edrington ended its relationship with Rémy Cointreau in the United States, and created its own distribution company – Edrington Americas.[12]

In 2015, Edrington Global Travel Retail was created. It is based in the company's Asia Pacific Headquarters in Singapore.[13]

In 2016 Edrington acquired a minority stake in Tequila Partida. It sold its stake to Lucas Bols in 2021.[14]

In 2018 Edrington Americas took a minority stake in Wyoming Whiskey, an American whiskey.[15]

In 2018 Edrington sold Cutty Sark to La Martiniquaise, a privately owned spirits company based in France.[16]

In March 2019 Edrington sold 95% of the Glenturret distillery to the Swiss Lalique Group with private investors holding the remaining shares.[17]

In April 2023 Edrington increased its shareholding of Wyoming Whisky to 80%, making it a majority stakeholder.[18] In September 2023, Edrington acquired Vasyma, a Jerez-based cooperage business.[19]

In September 2024 Edrington reached an agreement to sell The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt to William Grant & Sons, subject to customary regulatory approvals.[20]

Whisky distilleries

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Edrington operates three whisky distilleries in Scotland:[21]

Brands

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Edrington beverage brands include:[22]

References

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  1. ^ "THE EDRINGTON GROUP LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 25 April 1961. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  2. ^ "THE EDRINGTON GROUP LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.
  3. ^ Admin, DRAM (5 July 2021). "Edrington reports 'encouraging' results and takes stake in No.3 London Dry Gin". DRAM Scotland. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Robertson & Baxter Group | Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ^ "THE EDRINGTON GROUP LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  6. ^ Moss, Michael S. (13 June 2024), "Robertson, Ethel Greig [Babs] (1902–1985), whisky blender and distiller, and philanthropist", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.90000382521, ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8, retrieved 28 June 2024
  7. ^ "Our history". The Robertson Trust. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  8. ^ "THE 1887 COMPANY LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  9. ^ ""Edrington chief knighthood"". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Confident Edrington Group buoyed by core whisky brands as Brugal golden rum boosts portfolio - 02/07/08". The Moodie Davitt Report. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  11. ^ Pittilla, Mary Jane (3 February 2010). "The Edrington Group acquires Cutty Sark Scotch whisky". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  12. ^ beveragedaily.com (9 June 2014). "'Consumers want to drink less and drink better': Edrington Americas CEO on US spirits trends". beveragedaily.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Edrington launches specialist travel retail unit - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". drinksint.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  14. ^ MarketScreener. "Lucas Bols N.V. agreed to acquire Partida Tequila from Shansby Trust and Edrington USA, Inc. | MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Edrington Acquires Wyoming Whiskey to Expand to US Whisky Market". www.drinks-insight-network.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Edrington sells Cutty Sark to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet". The Spirits Business. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Glenturret distillery in Crieff sold to Swiss wine maker". BBC News. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  18. ^ Mathieu, Henry (5 April 2023). "Edrington buys majority stake in Wyoming Whiskey". Just Drinks. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  19. ^ Broadbent, Jessica (6 September 2023). "Edrington's Macallan whisky buys Vasyma sherry cooperage". Just Drinks. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  20. ^ Collins, Georgie (23 September 2024). "Edrington exits blended Scotch with Famous Grouse sale". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  21. ^ "Edrington | Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Brands | Edrington". Retrieved 25 October 2023.
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