The family-owned distiller behind Glenfiddich whisky, William Grant & Sons has announced the acquisition of the Drambuie Liqueur Company from Scotland's MacKinnon family for a sum said to be around £100m.
Drambuie is a unique blend of aged Scotch whisky, spices and heather honey which boasts a history going back to 1745.
The transaction comes after a bumper year for William Grant, which saw turnover top £1bn last year. Operating profits for 2013 totalled £138m, a 10.6% rise from £124.8m the year before. Turnover grew by 5.2% to £1.12bn despite challenging global economic conditions.
Among the firm’s whisky brands, which includes Glenfiddich “continued to maintain its position as the world’s number-one and most awarded single malt”.