Edrington

Edrington History

Robertson & Baxter was established in Glasgow during 1855 as a whisky and wine merchant and later whisky blender. Members of the Robertson family were also involved in the creation in 1887 of the Highland Distilleries Co, which initially owned Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay and Glenrothes on Speyside, and for many years Robertson & Baxter acted as sole selling agents for Highland Distilleries.

The Edrington name came into existence when the three Robertson sisters, Agnes, Elspeth and Ethel, inherited the whisky businesses founded and developed by their grandfather and father. In 1961 they formed the Edrington Group – named after a farm near their Scottish Borders home – which is owned by the Robertson Trust, a charitable institution.

In 1937 Highland Distilleries bought Highland Park, going on to acquire the Perth company of Matthew Gloag & Son in 1970. The prize Gloag asset for Highland Distilleries was The Famous Grouse blend, established in the late 19th century, though the Gloags had been acting as wine and spirit merchants in Perth since 1800.

In 1996 Highland Distilleries acquired a majority interest in Macallan, and three years later Edrington and William Grant & Sons bought Highland Distilleries for £601 million, with Suntory and Rémy Cointreau already shareholders. The 1887 company was formed to operate the assets, with Edrington holding 70% of the shares.

Brugal & Co was purchased in 2008, and two years later Edrington acquired the Cutty Sark brand from Berry Bros & Rudd, with whom it has enjoyed a long trading relationship. In return Edrington transferred the Glenrothes single malt brand to Berry Bros & Rudd, though the distillery remained in Edrington’s ownership. 

Edrington eventually reacquired the Glenrothes brand in 2017 to aid efforts to accelerate its growth in international markets.