William Grant buys Silent Pool Gin

Scottish spirits firm William Grant & Sons has acquired English gin brand Silent Pool for an undisclosed sum.

Family-owned William Grant will act as Silent Pool’s global supply chain and distribution partner, with the aim of expanding the brand’s presence in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Silent Pool will join Hendrick’s as the second gin in William Grant’s portfolio of spirits, which also includes single malts brands Glenfiddich and Balvenie, blended Scotch Monkey Shoulder, Irish whiskey Tullamore Dew, Sailor Jerry rum, and Drambuie liqueur.

A spokesperson for William Grant & Sons said: “Silent Pool Distillers is well known for its handcrafted spirit that easily complements a range of tonics and cocktails.

“We are delighted to welcome this brand to our portfolio and look forward to helping deliver the magic of Silent Pool Gin to discerning drinkers around the world.”

William Grant said production would remain at the brand’s distillery in Surrey Hills.

The ultra-premium gin was founded in 2014 by Ian McCulloch and James Shelbourne.

Managing director McCulloch said the brand is “one of the leading gins in the UK” and is available in more than 30 countries around the world.

“Over the past nine years we have built a distillery that creates a unique product that represents the stunning Surrey Hills location where it is made,” he continued.

“With William Grant & Sons’ global reach and brand-building expertise, there is no better partner to help drive the next chapter of Silent Pool Gin’s history.”

In September last year, Silent Pool Distillers faced backlash after McCulloch said that whisky is a “more male-centric liquid” on a Sky News podcast.

Hendrick’s is one of the world’s biggest-selling gin brands.

The Scottish gin sold 1.6 million nine-litre cases last year, an increase of 17.9%, according to The Brand Champions 2023 report.

William Grant’s last acquisition was in 2020 when it purchased a distillery in Mexico to support the growth of Milagro Tequila.