William Grant quiet over Drambuie bid reports

William Grant & Sons has remained tight-lipped over reports it is planning to bid for Scotch whisky liqueur brand Drambuie.

William Grant has declined to comment on reports claiming the group is looking to bid for Scotch liqueur Drambuie

Sky News reported yesterday that sources claim the UK drinks group, producer of the Glenfiddich Scotch whisky and Hendrick’s gin, is considering an estimated £100m takeover of Drambuie, which was put up for sale in May this year after spending more than 100 years under family ownership.

The news site also said that French drinks group Rémy Cointreau were looking to bid for the brand, currently owned by the MacKinnon family.

When contacted by The Spirits Business, representatives for William Grant declined to comment on the report.

Analysts estimate that Drambuie, produced by Suntory’s Scotch whisky arm Morrison Bowmore Distillers, is worth around £100 million.

Drambuie’s roots can be traced back to 1746, when “Bonnie Prince Charlie” gave his secret liqueur recipe to Scottish clansman John MacKinnon, who aided his escape after defeat at the Battle of Culloden.

The liqueur also rose to prominence in the 1950s as the main ingredient for Rusty Nail, a cocktail favoured by members of the Rat Pack – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr.