🥃 William Grant & Sons
Independent, family-owned Scottish spirits company founded in 1887 by William Grant in Dufftown; Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Grant's, Hendrick's, Monkey Shoulder, Tullamore Dew, Drambuie.
William Grant & Sons is the family firm behind Glenfiddich, Hendrick's gin and Monkey Shoulder: an independent Scottish family-owned spirits company. It was founded by William Grant in 1887, and the first spirit ran from the stills of the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown on Christmas Day that year. According to the company, it is 100% family owned.
History. In 1892 Grant opened a second distillery, The Balvenie, and in 1898 Grant's whisky appeared. According to the company, in 1961 it pioneered the single malt category with Glenfiddich. In 1963 the Girvan distillery was built in nine months. Hendrick's gin launched in 1999 and Monkey Shoulder in 2005. The company's timeline lists the acquisition of Drambuie in 2014 and, in the same year, a distillery linked to Tullamore Dew.
Brands. The company's brand list includes Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Grant's, The Famous Grouse, Hendrick's, Monkey Shoulder, Tullamore Dew, Drambuie, Sailor Jerry, Milagro, Silent Pool, Reyka, Ailsa Bay and others.
Family. According to the company, six generations of the family have taken part in the business; the chair of the board, Glenn Gordon, is the great-great-grandson of William Grant.
Why it matters to you. The brands of one company are different drinks, so read the label and the page of each brand. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1887, Dufftown (William Grant; Glenfiddich distillery) |
|---|
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 William Grant & Sons → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Glenfiddich, 🥃 The Balvenie, 🥃 Grant's, 🥃 Hendrick's, 🥃 Monkey Shoulder, 🥃 Tullamore Dew, 🥃 Drambuie, 🥃 Irish Whiskey
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Spirits
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
Frequently asked questions
Is William Grant & Sons still a family-owned company?
Yes. According to the company, it is 100% family owned; the chair of the board, Glenn Gordon, is William Grant's great-great-grandson.
Who makes Glenfiddich, Hendrick's and Monkey Shoulder?
All three are on the brand list of William Grant & Sons. Glenfiddich dates from 1887, Hendrick's gin launched in 1999 and Monkey Shoulder in 2005.
When was William Grant & Sons founded?
In 1887: the first spirit ran from the stills of the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown on Christmas Day that year.
Does the company own Tullamore Dew?
Yes, it is on the company's brand list. Its timeline for 2014 lists the acquisition of Drambuie and a distillery linked to Tullamore Dew.
Which other brands belong to William Grant & Sons?
Besides those above: The Balvenie, Grant's, The Famous Grouse, Drambuie, Sailor Jerry, Milagro, Silent Pool, Reyka, Ailsa Bay and others.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Scotch Whisky — Scotch whisky is whisky distilled and matured in Scotland from water and malted barley (plus whole grains of other cereals), at least 3 years in oak, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) or more. EU-protected since 1989.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Edrington · 🥃 Diageo · 🥃 Rémy Cointreau · 🥃 Moët Hennessy · 🥃 Heaven Hill Brands · 🥃 Sazerac Company
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- William Grant & Sons: We — Our story (1887 Glenfiddich, first spirit on Christmas Day; 1892 The Balvenie; 1898 Grant's; 1961 single malt Glenfiddich; 1963 Girvan built in nine months; 1999 Hendrick's; 2005 Monkey Shoulder; 2014 Drambuie and Tullamore distillery; 100% family owned; six generations; Glenn Gordon chairman; brand list)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)