The Whisky Business
Distilleries and their owners

Even if the single malt whisky is very Scottish, the ownership is mainly different and not what one would expect. See for yourself and be prepared with a scotch.

Multinational companies control two thirds of the Scottish malt whisky distilleries. The world's four largest drinks companies: Diageo, Allied Domecq, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi, owns 45 of the 84 distilleries currently in operation in Scotland. So we’re talking big business here, for good or for worse. It is of course beneficial to have a mother company with a sound financial position, but a large company's demand for return on asset may lead to the closure of a distillery that doesn't fit in it's portfolio. This was the case when United Distillers decided that Lagavulin and Caol Ila would satisfy their need for Islay whisky and closed Port Ellen. Again when Allied mothballed Ardbeg in favour of Laphroaig.

Since the late 1980's, three Scottish owner groups has been formed by way of a management buy-out: Whyte & Mackay (first called Kyndal), Inver House and Burn Stewart. It seems like these groups however, do not have a long term ownership in their minds. Both Inver House and Burn Stewart has recently been sold to big international companies, Whyte & Mackay changed their ownership soon after the buyout.

Fortunately a single distillery's output can still be profitable enough for a minor company. Lately we have seen small Scottish firms take over and, in many cases, reopen mothballed distilleries such as Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bladnoch, Benromach, Edradour and Glengoyne. The latest newly built distilleries, Arran and Speyside, are both run by small Scottish companies. Some of the best-reputed distilleries, like Springbank and Glenfarclas, have private, domestic ownership. So even if the romanticised picture of independence and handicraft is no longer true, there is still a notable Scottish influence on the whisky industry.

Here follows a table of distilleries and their owners. Some of them have been closed for a long time, but their products can still be found.
Further below is a more thorough presentation of the owners.

Multinational Companies

Diageo plc
UK

The company was formed 1997 through the merger between Guinness (United Distillers) and Grand Metropolitan (International Distillers & Vintners). Their portfolio includes the famous package "Six Classic Malts" (Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, Cragganmore, Oban, Talisker and Lagavulin).

Subsidiaries:
United Distillers & Vintners Ltd: James Buchanan & Co Ltd, Donald Fisher Ltd, John Haig & Co Ltd, Justerini & Brooks Ltd, Macdonald Greenlees Ltd, Wm. Sanderson & Son Ltd, John Walker & Sons Ltd, White Horse Distillers Ltd.

Distilleries
Auchroisk
Banff – closed 1983
Benrinnes
Blair Athol
Brora – closed 1983
Caol Ila
Cardhu
Clynelish
Coleburn – closed 1985
Cragganmore
Dailuaine
Dalwhinnie
Dufftown
Glen Albyn - closed 1983
Glendullan
Glen Elgin
Glenesk (a.k.a. Hillside) – closed 1983
Glenkinchie
Glenlochy – closed 1983
Glenlossie
Glen Mhor - closed 1983
Glen Ord
Glen Spey
Glenury Royal – closed 1985
Inchgower
Knockando
Lagavulin
Linkwood
Mannochmore
Millburn – closed 1985
Mortlach
North Port (a.k.a. Brechin) – closed 1983
Oban
Pittyvaich – closed 1993
Port Ellen – closed 1983
Rosebank – mothballed 1993
Royal Lochnagar
St Magdalene – closed 1983
Strathmill
Talisker
Teaninich

Port Dundas Grain Distillery
Cameronbridge Grain Distillery
North British Grain Distillery (50%)

Scotch blended:
Bell's, Black & White, Buchanan's, Bulloch Lade, Chequers, Dimple, J & B, Johnnie Walker, McCallum's, Old Parr, Sanderson's, Vat 69, White Horse.

Other brands:
Port Dundas single grain whisky, Cameron Brig single grain whisky, Cambus single grain whisky, Crown Royal, VO Canadian whiskies, 7 Crown American whiskey, Baileys, Gilbey's gin, Gordon's gin, Tanqueray gin, Hennessy cognac, José Cuervo tequila, Captain Morgan rum, Cacique rum, Malibu, Moët & Chandon champagne, Smirnoff vodka, Guinness, Harp, Kilkenny Irish Beer.

Allied Domecq plc
UK

Although being one of the major players, Allied is remarkably quiet on the single malt market. The flagship Laphroaig is promoted heavily, but that is more or less it.
For those with a dream of becoming a whisky monger, Imperial is still for sale.

Subsidiaries:
Allied Distillers Ltd: George Ballantine & Son Ltd, Glendronach Distillery Co Ltd, D  Johnston & Co (Laphroaig) Ltd, Long John Distilleries Ltd, Stewart & Son of Dundee Ltd, Jas & Geo Stodart Ltd, Taylor & Ferguson Ltd, Wm. Teacher & Sons Ltd.

Distilleries
Ardmore
Glenburgie
Glendronach - reopened 2002!
Glentauchers
Imperial – mothballed 1998
Inverleven – closed 1991
Laphroaig
Miltonduff
Scapa – mothballed 1994 (today managed by Edrington Group/Highland Park)
Tormore

Dumbarton Grain Distillery - mothballed 2002
Strathclyde Grain Distillery

Scotch blended:
Ballantine's, Long John, Stewart's Cream Of The Barley, Teacher's.

Other brands:
Beefeater gin, Kahlúa, Courvoisier cognac, Tequila Sauza, Canadian Club, Harveys Bristol Cream, Tia Maria, Cockburn's Port, Maker's Mark bourbon, Baskin-Robbins food chain, Dunkin' Donuts food chain.

Groupe Pernod Ricard
France

Seagram sold it's Spirits & Wine Group to Diageo (61%) and Pernod Ricard (39%) for 8.15 billion USD. Pernod Ricard received all Seagram's Scotch whisky manufacturing and bottling facilities in Scotland, comprehending Allt a' bhainne, Braeval, Benriach, Caperdonich, Glen Grant, Glen Keith, Longmorn, Strathisla and Glenlivet distilleries, a bottling plant in Paisley and one in Newbridge as well as bonded warehouses in Dalmuir, Balgray and Keith.
Soon after the takeover Pernod Ricard decided to mothball Allt a' bhainne, Braeval, Benriach and Caperdonich. Glen Keith will continue to be mothballed.
Pernod Ricard also sold Edradour to Signatory in 2002.

Subsidiaries:
Campbell Distillers Ltd, Chivas Brothers Ltd, Highland Bonding Co Ltd, Hill Thomson & Co Ltd, Sheriff & Co (Jamaica) Ltd.

Distilleries
Aberlour
Allt a'bhainne – mothballed 2003
Benriach – mothballed 2003
Braeval (a.k.a. Braes of Glenlivet) – mothballed 2003
Caperdonich – mothballed 2003
Glenallachie
Glen Grant
Glen Keith – mothballed 1999
The Glenlivet
Longmorn
Strathisla

Scotch blended:
Clan Campbell. Chivas Regal, Passport, Queen Anne, Royal Salute, 100 Pipers. Clan Campbell, Aberlour, The Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Blackbush, Bushmills Malt, 100 Pipers, White Heather.

Other brands:
Ricard, Pernod, Wild Turkey bourbon, Jameson Irish whiskey, Paddy, John Power, Red Breast, Seagram’s Canadian whisky, Royal Canadian, Martell cognac, Seagram's gin, Havana Club rum.

Bacardi Ltd
Bermuda

Subsidiaries:
John Dewar & Sons: William Lawson Distillers Ltd.

Distilleries
Aberfeldy
Aultmore
Craigellachie
Macduff (a.k.a. Glen Deveron)
Royal Brackla

Scotch blended:
Dewar's, William Lawson's.

Other brands:
Bacardi rum, Martini & Rossi, Otard cognac.

Great Oriole Group
British Virgin Islands / Thailand

Inver House Distillers was acquired by Pacific Spirits (UK), part of the British Virgin Islands-based Great Oriole Group, in November 2001 for 85 million USD. Great Oriole is controlled by Thai entrepreneur Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, one of Asias richest men, who's TCC Group owns the infamous Mekhong whisky brand and has big interests in the production of Chang beer in his home country.

Subsidiaries:
Pacific Spirits (UK) Ltd: Inver House Distillers: James Catto & Co Ltd.

Distilleries
Balblair
Balmenach
Knockdhu
Pulteney
Speyburn

Scotch blended:
Catto's, MacArthurs.

Other brands:
Glen Flagler vatted malt, Mekhong thai whisky, Chang beer.

CL Financial
Trinidad

In January 2003 Burn Stewart Distillers was acquired by Trinidad-based CL Financial, a holding company of over 50 companies including bitter and rhum producer Angostura. In April 2003 it was announced that the new company has taken over Bunnahabain from Edrington Group.

Subsidiaries:
Angostura Ltd: Burn Stewart Distillers

Distilleries
Bunnahabain
Deanston
Tobermory (a.k.a. Ledaig)

Scotch blended:
Black Bottle, Scottish Leader, Black Prince.

Other brands:
Angostura bitters, Angostura rums.
Insurance and financial services, energy production, real estate, food products.

Suntory Ltd
Japan

Subsidiaries:
Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd.

Distilleries
Auchentoshan
Bowmore
Glen Garioch
Macallan (25%) (see Edrington Group Ltd)

Scotch blended:
Clanroy, Islay Legend, Kings Pride, Rob Roy.

Other brands:
Suntory Japanese whisky (Hibiki, Yamazaki, Royal, Reserve, Old, Kakubin), Japanese brandy, vodka, gin and various liqueurs.
Pharmaceuticals, restaurants, sports goods, music and film, resort development, publishing, information services.


Nikka Whisky Distilling Co
Japan

Subsidiaries:
Ben Nevis Distillery (Fort William) Ltd.

Distilleries
Ben Nevis

Scotch blended:
Dew of Ben Nevis.

Other brands:
Nikka Japanese whisky (Yoichi).

Takara Shuzo Co and Okura Co
Japan

Subsidiaries:
Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd: J & W Hardie Ltd.

Distilleries
Tomatin

Scotch blended:
The Antiquary, Big T.

Other brands:
Takara Shuzo Co: Alcoholic beverages (sake, shochu - traditional Japanese liquor), foods, biomedicals.

Scottish Companies

The Edrington Group Ltd
Scotland

Edrington grew significantly in 1999 when they bought Highland Distillers (Glenglassaugh, Glenrothes, Glenturret, Highland Park, Macallan and Tamdhu) together with William Grant & Sons. Sold off Bunnahabain and Glengoyne 2003 in order to focus on Highland Park, Macallan and Famous Grouse.

Subsidiaries:
Highland Distillers (70%).

Distilleries
Glenglassaugh – mothballed 1986
Glenrothes
Glenturret
Highland Park (also manages Scapa for Allied Domecq)
Macallan (75%) (see Suntory)
Tamdhu

North British Grain Distillery (50%)

Scotch blended:
Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark.

Whyte & Mackay
Scotland

The Whyte & Mackay group has returned to Scottish ownership again after a Glasgow based management buyout in October 2001. The new company, at first called Kyndal, bought W&M's five malt distilleries, one grain distillery and two bottling plants for 300 million USD from Fortune Brands daughter company Jim Beam Brands. The producer of the famous bourbon had controlled W&M since 1990.
After a change in the ownership structure, the old name Whyte & Mackay was reintroduced in 2003. Bruichladdich and Tullibardine were sold in an attempt to focus on the main brands.

Distilleries
Dalmore
Fettercairn
Isle of Jura
Tamnavulin-Glenlivet - mothballed 1995

Invergordon Grain Distillery

Scotch blended:
Buchanan, Claymore, Cluny, Legacy, Mackinlay's, Pig's Nose, Whyte & Mackay.

Other brands:
Sheep Dip vatted malt, Invergordon single grain whisky, Vladivar vodka, Glayva liquer.

William Grant & Sons Ltd
Scotland

Subsidiaries:
Highland Distillers (30%) (see Edrington Group Ltd).

Distilleries
Balvenie
Convalmore – closed 1985 (today used as a warehouse)
Glenfiddich
Kininvie
Ladyburn – closed 1975

Girvan Grain Distillery

Scotch blended:
Clan MacGregor, Grant's, Robbie Dhu.

Other brands:
Black Barrel grain whisky.

Glenmorangie plc
Scotland

Distilleries
Ardbeg
Glenmorangie
Glen Moray

Scotch blended:
Bailie Nicol Jarvie, Highland Queen.

Loch Lomond Distillers
Scotland

Subsidiaries:
Loch Lomond Distillery Co Ltd., Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse Ltd (bottling plant), Wm. Morton (wholesaler for wine).

Distilleries
Glen Scotia - operates infrequently
Littlemill – closed 1994
Loch Lomond – produces Inchmurrin and Old Rhosdhu
Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd
Scotland

Distilleries
Isle of Arran Distillery

Scotch blended:
Lochranza.


J. & G. Grant
Scotland

Distilleries
Glenfarclas


J. & A. Mitchell & Co Ltd
Scotland

Distilleries
Springbank
Speyside Distillery Co Ltd
Scotland

Distilleries
Speyside


Raymond Armstrong
Scotland

Distilleries
Bladnoch


Tullibardine Ltd.
Scotland

Four businessmen (Baxter, Beamish, Ross, Williamson) bought Tullibardine for £1.1 million from Whyte & Mackay 2003. They set up a consortium called Tullibardine Ltd and reopened the distillery that had been mothballed since 1995. The plans also involve creating a retail centre and tourist attraction adjacent to the distillery at a cost of more than £10 million.

Distilleries
Tullibardine


Gordon & MacPhail
Scotland

Distilleries
Benromach

Scotch blended:
Avonside.

Other brands:
Gordon & Macphail independent bottlings of Scotch Single Malt Whisky.

Ian MacLeod & Co Ltd
Scotland

Another independent bottler that recently has become a distiller. Glengoyne was acquired from Edrington in April 2003.

Subsidiaries:
Lang Brothers.

Distilleries
Glengoyne

Scotch blended:
Lang's, Isle of Skye, Hedges & Butler, King Robert II.

Other brands:
Ian MacLeod and Chieftain's independent bottlings of Scotch Single Malt Whisky, Watson´s Rums, London Hill gin.

Bruichladdich Distillery Co Ltd
Scotland

Subsidiaries:
Murray McDavid

Distilleries
Bruichladdich

Other brands:
Murray McDavid independent bottlings of Scotch Single Malt Whisky.


Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Co. Ltd
Scotland

Distilleries
Edradour

Other brands:
Signatory independent bottlings of Scotch Single Malt Whisky.


Scottish Historic Monuments
Scotland

Distilleries
Dallas Dhu – closed 1983 (today a museum, with all equipment intact)


Whitbread & Co.
Scotland

Distilleries
Glenugie – closed 1983

Other Companies

Angus Dundee plc
UK

Distilleries
Glencadam – mothballed 2000, to be reopened soon?
Tomintoul

Scotch blended:
Angus Dundee, Parker’s

Other brands:
Glen Parker single malt, Angus Dundee vatted malt

Sources:
Hoover’s Business Info, Scotch Whisky Association as well as the described companies..