The fifth generation: Grant’s Chairman Peter Gordon and Master Blender, Brian Kinsman.

GRANT’S TAKES TO THE GLOBAL PODIUM

Oldest family owned Scotch becomes world’s third largest

Grant’s world famous blended Scotch whisky has turned a new chapter in its 124-year success story as it takes to the podium of standard Scotch whiskies, becoming the world’s number three in retail value.

The move onto podium, confirmed by IWSR results released last week, reaffirms Grant’s’ credentials as a key player on the world whisky stage.  Over the last five years, Grant’s has consistently grown ahead of the category, achieving in 2010 worldwide sales of 4.8 million cases and retail value of over $1bn.

A £35m Grant’s global investment package was announced in 2008 by independent, family-owned distillers William Grant & Sons, comprising new packaging, an up-weighted global marketing campaign and investment in the company’s production facilities in Girvan, Scotland. The brand, which includes Ale and Sherry Cask Editions  as well as aged 12, 18 and ultra premium 25 year old variants, has continued to enjoy rapid growth, outperforming competitors in both emerging whisky markets such as Russia and amongst established drinkers in markets such as France and the UK.

Kate Athanasi, Grant’s Global Brand Director comments: “This is a very exciting time for Grant’s. Just over a hundred 100 years ago William Grant’s son-in-law first took his family’s blended Scotch to the world. Today we’re the top selling family blend thanks to our multi award-winning whisky and our rich family heritage, which resonates with whisky drinkers across the globe.”

The Grant’s story started when founder William Grant’s distillery produced its first golden drop of spirit in 1887. Today, crafted by Master Blender Brian Kinsman, Grant’s is the oldest family owned blend in Scotland, built on five generations of heritage, expertise and passion for whisky-making. 

The fifth generation: Grant’s Chairman Peter Gordon and Master Blender, Brian Kinsman.

Notes

• Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons, an award-winning family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by his direct descendants.  The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including Grant’s, the world’s favorite single malt Glenfiddich, and the handcrafted range of The Balvenie single malts, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s Gin.

• Grant’s range of cask finished and aged blended Scotch whiskies include Grant’s Family Reserve, Grant’s Ale and Sherry Cask Editions, created by ‘finishing’ Grant’s Family Reserve in either ale or sherry casks; Grant’s 12 Year Old – the only blend to spend an extra finishing period in American oak cask, producing a full bodied Scotch of exceptional richness; the multi award-winning Grant’s 18 Year Old and the recently released ultra premium Grant’s 25 Year Old.

• IWSR (International Wine and Spirit Research) data focuses exclusively on the global alcoholic beverage market and covers all the major wine and spirit categories with a database of over 14,400 brands in 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information see: www.iwsr.co.uk  

• 2010 was a record year for Scotch whisky exports, according to Scotch Whisky Association figures released in March. The performance confirmed Scotch whisky as one of the UK’s top exporting industries, increasing exports by 10% to £3.45bn in 2010 and delivering £109 a second to UK exports.  The latest IWSR figures show The Scotch market is 89,056 000s 9L cases in volume and has grown by 3.2% VYA and by 1.1% CAGR 2005-2010. Blended Scotch accounts for 92.5% of the total Scotch volume and 87.6% of the total Scotch value and has increased by 4.5% VYA and 5.4% CAGR from 2005.

• The deliciously complex and smooth taste of Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky is down to the way it is made from a recipe created more than 100 years ago by William Grant. Passed down from generation to generation, today it is the expert skills of the Grant’s Master Blender, along with a team of craftsmen, who keep alive William Grant’s pioneering spirit and his passion for blending the finest whisky.

• For more about Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky and for our latest news visit: www.grantswhisky.com
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