William Grant & Sons

William Grant & Sons has been in the same family's hands since William Grant built his first still by candlelight at The Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. Founded in 1887, it remains the largest Scotch whisky producer still under family ownership, now the third-largest Scotch whisky company in the world, shipping roughly 7.6 million cases a year while competitors sold off to multinational drinks conglomerates decades ago.

History & Heritage

William Grant began construction on his own distillery in 1886 with his six sons providing the labor, and Glenfiddich became operational on Christmas Day, 1887. The family did not stop at one site. In 1892 they built a second distillery next door, The Balvenie, and the company has expanded methodically ever since: the Girvan grain whisky distillery in South Ayrshire in 1963, the Kininvie malt distillery in 1990, and Ailsa Bay in 2009. Diversification beyond whisky followed the same pattern of patient, family-directed growth. Hendrick's Gin launched in 1999, produced at the Girvan site. The company established Reyka Vodka in Borgarnes, Iceland, in 2005, and acquired the Mexican distillery behind Milagro Tequila in 2020, adding a fifth country of production. Recent acquisitions have consolidated the company's position further: Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey in 2010 for approximately 300 million euros, Drambuie in 2014, Silent Pool Distillers (a Guildford gin producer) in 2023, and, as of July 1, 2025, The Famous Grouse blended Scotch and Naked Malt single malt brands purchased from The Edrington Group. William Grant & Sons is run today, as of July 2026, by descendants of William Grant, remaining entirely family-owned rather than answering to outside shareholders.

The Whiskey

Glenfiddich, distilled at the original Dufftown site using water drawn from the Robbie Dhu spring, is the world's best-selling single malt Scotch whisky. The Balvenie, made next door, is known for retaining traditional floor maltings long after most distilleries abandoned the practice, giving its whisky a distinct, handcrafted character. Grant's blended Scotch rounds out the core Scotch whisky portfolio as one of the most widely consumed blends globally. Beyond Scotland, the company's range extends to Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey and, notably for the Reserve Whiskey Library, Milagro Tequila. Milagro is made from 100 percent blue agave grown in the Jalisco highlands, roasted slowly for 36 hours in traditional brick ovens before being distilled using both pot and column stills, a dual-still approach that is unusual in tequila production and shapes the spirit's structure and finish.

Why It Matters

Family control is the throughline of this company's identity, and it shows in the results: William Grant & Sons was named International Spirits Challenge Distiller of the Year for a ninth consecutive year in 2024, adding to an International Wine and Spirit Competition Distiller of the Year and International Spirits Producer of the Year double win in 2011. Glenfiddich has been recognized as the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky in IWSC and ISC competitions since 2000. In 2024 alone, The Balvenie Caribbean Cask won ISC Scotch Whisky of the Year and Milagro Anejo Tequila won ISC Tequila of the Year, an unusual double that reflects a producer investing seriously across categories rather than coasting on one flagship brand. The company has also received the Queen's Award to Industry for Outstanding Export Achievement. For those who appreciate good whiskey, William Grant & Sons represents a rare case: a major global spirits producer that has never had to justify a decision to a boardroom outside the family.

Visiting the Distillery

The Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown offers guided distillery tours, Solera Deconstructed tastings, Malt Master experiences, and premium warehouse tours, most running one to three hours. The visitor centre, whisky lounge, and gift shop are open daily, and pre-booking is strongly recommended given demand. The Milagro distillery in Mexico is not generally open to visitors.