What Edrington does

Edrington is a Glasgow-headquartered, privately-held international premium spirits company founded in 1861, operating a portfolio of ultra-premium brands anchored by The Macallan (world's number one Single Malt Scotch Whisky by value, since 1824), Highland Park (Orkney single malt since 1798), The Glenrothes (Speyside single malt), Brugal (Caribbean rum from the Dominican Republic since 1888), Wyoming Whiskey (ultra-premium American bourbon), and No. 3 London Dry Gin, with Valdespino added via the 2023-2025 Sherry supply chain acquisitions. The technical foundation is craftsmanship and "mastery of wood and spirit" — particularly Sherry-seasoned oak cask maturation — supported by vertical integration into Spanish oak sourcing (Tevasa cooperage, northern Spain sawmills) and Edrington's own distilleries (Macallan Estate opened 2018, Highland Park, Glenrothes, Brugal, Wyoming Whiskey). Core revenue for the year to 31 March 2025 was £912 million, down 10% year-over-year due to global economic headwinds but with core contribution 38% ahead of pre-pandemic levels and The Macallan posting its second-highest sales year during its 200th anniversary.

The company monetizes through one-time premium spirits sales, generating revenue via owned international distribution companies (Edrington Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Global Travel Retail), brand boutiques at Harrods (June 2026) and Heathrow Terminal 5, direct brand websites with limited-edition ballots, and strategic retail and travel-retail partners. GTM combines enterprise field sales for ultra-premium accounts with direct-to-consumer experiences, personalization services, and high-touch brand storytelling (Distil Your World documentary series, culinary collaborations with the Roca brothers and Björn Frantzén). The portfolio is being actively reshaped: The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt were divested to William Grant & Sons effective 1 July 2025, while investments concentrated on Sherry supply security, Wyoming Whiskey (80% stake from 2023), and India expansion under new COO Paul Ross (January 2026).

Edrington has a distinctive ownership structure: The Robertson Trust, founded in 1961 by William Robertson's granddaughters, remains the principal shareholder and has donated over £421 million to Scottish charities; Suntory Holdings has held a 10% stake since 2020, with Kengo Torii on the board. The group employs approximately 3,000 people across more than 60% based outside Scotland, is led by CEO Scott McCroskie and Chair Angus Cockburn (since 2025), and is committed to Net Zero by 2045 under the Science Based Targets Initiative.

Name

Edrington

Legal name

The Edrington Group Limited

Website

https://edrington.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1861

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Edrington is a Glasgow-based international premium spirits company operating ultra-premium brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Brugal, and Wyoming Whiskey, serving affluent consumers globally via owned distribution, brand boutiques, and travel retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Fine Wine & Luxury Spirits Retail (CRANABAE)

Keywords

• Premium spirits production
• Single malt whisky
• Scotch whisky brands
• Luxury spirits portfolio
• Spirits distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Premium Spirits Sales: Edrington generates revenue through the sale of ultra-premium spirits brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Brugal rum, Wyoming Whiskey, and No.3 London Dry Gin. Revenue is generated through international distribution, brand boutiques, and retail partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Edrington produces and distributes a portfolio of ultra-premium spirit brands worldwide, anchored by The Macallan (single malt Scotch whisky, since 1824), Highland Park (Orkney single malt, since 1798), and The Glenrothes (Speyside single malt). The portfolio is extended by Brugal premium Caribbean rum, Wyoming Whiskey super-premium bourbon, No. 3 London Dry Gin, and Valdespino Sherry, sold through owned distribution companies, brand boutiques, travel retail, and direct e-commerce channels.

Product overview

Edrington is an international premium spirits company with a portfolio of ultra-premium spirit brands. The portfolio consists of: The Macallan (central focus, ultra-premium single malt Scotch whisky since 1824), Highland Park (single malt whisky since 1798 from Orkney), and The Glenrothes (Speyside single malt) as core Scotch whisky brands; Brugal (premium Caribbean rum from Dominican Republic since 1888); and strategic partnerships with Wyoming Whiskey (American bourbon) and No. 3 London Dry Gin. Edrington also owns Valdespino (sherry producer in Jerez) acquired 2023-2025 as part of its supply chain strategy. The company focuses on ultra-premium spirits with The Macallan as its central brand, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing single malt category, with Brugal completing the portfolio. The company operates with a unique ownership model where The Robertson Trust is the principal shareholder.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Macallan: Ultra-premium single malt Scotch whisky with commitment to mastery of wood and spirit since 1824. Central focus brand of Edrington.
• Highland Park
• The Glenrothes
• Brugal
• Wyoming Whiskey
• No. 3 London Dry Gin
• Valdespino

Products and services

• The Macallan

Quantifiable outcome

• The Macallan recorded its second-highest year ever for sales during its 200th anniversary year 2024-25
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship, strategic and core.

• FreelyGiveminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026FreelyGive | Edrington won an Acquia Engage Award in 2026 for digital excellence, indicating a partnership for digital transformation and marketing technology implementation.
• Bjorn FrantzenflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Highland Park partnered with 3-Michelin-starred chef Bjorn Frantzen to launch 'Between You and I' - a 16 Year Old Single Malt offering a new approach to whisky tasting through personal memories and emotions rather than traditional tasting notes.
• Wyoming Whiskey Founding ShareholdersstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Edrington increased its stake in Wyoming Whiskey from 35% to 80% in April 2023, becoming the majority shareholder. The partnership began in 2018, with Edrington seeking to capitalize on the growth of the ultra-premium American whiskey market.
• Tevasa CooperagecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Edrington completed acquisition of a partnership with Tevasa cooperage in Jerez, Spain as part of establishing an end-to-end supply chain for the highest quality Sherry-seasoned oak casks for The Macallan.
• Northern Spain SawmillscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Edrington acquired partnerships with two sawmills in northern Spain to secure the supply chain for Sherry-seasoned oak casks production, part of the quartet of acquisitions to ensure quality wood sourcing.
• El Celler de Can Roca (Roca Brothers)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Macallan collaborates with the Roca brothers, owners of El Celler de Can Roca (twice named World's Best Restaurant), on the Distil Your World series creating limited edition single malts inspired by world cities. Previous editions explored New York, London, Mexico, and Hong Kong.
• Berry Bros. & RuddcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017In 2017, Edrington purchased The Glenrothes brand from Berry Bros. & Rudd, reuniting the brand with the distillery. Edrington also formed a strategic partnership with Berry Bros. & Rudd on No.3 London Dry Gin distribution and brand management.
• WDFG UK Limited (DUFRY)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirport boutique operator for duty-free retail, currently serving as one of Edrington's airport boutique partners for marketing communications.
• Maritime & Mercantile International LLC (Le Clos)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirport boutique operator in Middle East region, partnering with Edrington for travel retail distribution.
• DFS Group LimitedstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal duty-free retailer and airport boutique operator for Edrington brands in Asia-Pacific travel retail markets.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• William Grant & Sons: Independent family-owned premium spirits company (Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Hendrick's). Closest comparable independent peer, now also owner of The Famous Grouse which it acquired from Edrington in July 2025.
• Whyte & Mackay: Independent Scotch whisky producer (Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn). Closely aligned mid-sized independent Scotch specialist with shared supply chain and brand-building challenges.
• Rémy Cointreau: Premium spirits group focused on cognac and single malt Scotch (Bruichladdich, The Glenlivet via partnership network). Closely comparable ultra-premium positioning and gifting-led distribution model.
• Loch Lomond Group: Independent Scottish distiller and blender producing single malts, blended Scotch and gin. Comparable independent Scotch producer competing for premium on-trade and travel retail shelf space.

Broad incumbents

• Moët Hennessy (LVMH Wines & Spirits): Luxury spirits division of LVMH owning Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg. Direct competitor in ultra-premium Scotch and benefit from LVMH luxury distribution synergies.
• Beam Suntory: Premium spirits arm of Suntory Holdings (Yamazaki, Maker's Mark, Laphroaig). Direct competitor in premium Scotch and Japanese whisky plus American bourbon; also Edrington's 10% shareholder (via Suntory Holdings).
• Pernod Ricard: Major global spirits group (Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Jameson). A direct competitor in premium Scotch whisky and travel retail with comparable ultra-premium positioning.
• Campari Group: Premium spirits group with Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Glen Grant single malt. Comparable premium spirits portfolio mix across categories including Scotch.
• Brown-Forman: Major American-owned premium spirits company (Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, Benriach). Comparable in premium American whiskey and Scotch investment thesis.
• Diageo: World's largest premium spirits company (Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Mortlach). Directly comparable as the dominant Scotch and global premium spirits operator with overlapping single malt and luxury portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Edrington