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Company type | Private limited company |
---|---|
Industry | Drink industry |
Founded | April 25, 1961 |
Founder | The Robertson sisters (Elspeth, Agnes and Ethel) |
Headquarters | Glasgow, Scotland, UK |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | |
Number of employees | 2,500 |
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.
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 a farm near their home in the Scottish Borders) to hold their business interests. At the same time, they also established The Robertson Trust, [6] a registered charity under Scottish law, [7] 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. [8] 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 Distilleries through a partnership with William Grant & Sons taking a minority interest (the 1887 Company). [9]
21st century
In the New Year Honours 2008, former chairman, John James Griffin Good, was made a Knight Bachelor "for services to Scotland". [10]
Since 2008, Edrington has increased the international nature of its business through the acquisition of brands and sales and distribution companies in key markets. Its brands are distributed across the world by a network of wholly owned companies, joint venture companies and third party distributors.
In February 2008 the company bought a majority shareholding in Brugal of the Dominican Republic, the leading golden rum in the Caribbean. [11]
In April 2010 Edrington acquired Cutty Sark blended Scotch whisky brand from long-standing trading partner Berry Bros. & Rudd.
In 2014 Edrington moved its Asia headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore and created a new regional hub for Asia – Edrington Asia Pacific.
In April 2014, Edrington ended its relationship with Rémy Cointreau in the United States, and created its own distribution company – Edrington Americas
in 2015, Edrington Global Travel Retail was created. It is based in the company's Asia Pacific Headquarters in Singapore.
In 2016 Edrington acquired a minority stake in Tequila Partida. It sold its stake to Lucas Bols in 2021. [12]
In 2018 Edrington Americas took a minority stake in Wyoming Whiskey, an American whiskey. [13]
In 2018 Edrington sold Cutty Sark to La Martiniquaise, a privately owned spirits company based in France. [14]
In March 2019 Edrington sold 95% of the Glenturret distillery to the Swiss Lalique Group with private investors holding the remaining shares. [15]
In April 2023 Edrington increased its shareholding of Wyoming Whisky to 80%, making it a majority stakeholder. [16]
Edrington beverage brands include: [17]
Scotch whisky:
Single malt Scotch whisky: Highland Park, The Glenrothes, The Macallan
Blended Scotch Whisky: The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt
American Whiskey: Noble Oak, Wyoming Whiskey (majority stake)
Gin: No.3 London Dry Gin
Rum: Brugal
Scotch whisky is malt whisky or grain whisky, made in Scotland.
Whisky or whiskey is a type of liquor made from fermented grain mash. Various grains are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, which are typically made of charred white oak. Uncharred white oak casks previously used for the aging of port, rum or sherry are also sometimes used.
Speyside single malts are single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in Strathspey, the area around the River Spey in Moray and Badenoch and Strathspey, in northeastern Scotland.
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Glen Moray distillery is a Speyside distillery producing single malt scotch whisky. Situated on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, Moray the distillery started production in September 1897. It was sold in 2008 by the Glenmorangie Company Ltd. to La Martiniquaise.
Glenglassaugh distillery is a malt scotch whisky distillery which restarted production in November 2008 after being acquired by an independent investment group. Following a complete refurbishment by the new owners the distillery was re-opened on 24 November 2008 by then First Minister for Scotland Alex Salmond.
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a Canadian alcohol manufacturing and distribution company. It was founded in 1859 in Corbyville, Ontario. As of 2008, the company is 46% owned by Pernod Ricard. The company distills several Canadian specialities, as well as marketing Pernod Ricard's products in Canada. Corby is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. Corby is known for funding free travel on the TTC on New Years Eve in Toronto.
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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to whisky:
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