The owner of Drambuie today (22 May) confirmed that the liqueur is up for sale. Here, just-drinks takes a closer look at the brand.
- The Drambuie brand has been owned by the MacKinnon Family Trust for the past 100 years. The family bought it from a Skye hotelier in 1914, but legend has it that the original recipe came from Bonnie Prince Charlie.
- The core brand is a blend of Scotch whisky, spices, heather honey and herbs.
- Extensions include Drambuie 15, which on its release in 2011 was the first product Drambuie had launched into the UK market in a decade. Drambuie 15 uses 15-year-old Speyside malts and is targeted at Drambuie customers that want to trade up and new malt whisky experimenters.
- Sales have suffered in the past few years, partly through a decline in Southern European markets.
- Greece was previously Drambuie’s second-biggest market after the US but volumes in 2012 fell by 27% year-on-year.
- In Drambuie’s most recent full-year results, net profits were down by 12% to GBP2.5m (US$4m) and net sales fell by 3% to GBP22.2m.
- Brand Drambuie was launched in India in 2011 while Drambuie 15 has been trialled in Vietnam.
- Suntory-owned Morrison Bowmore handles Drambuie’s procurement, blending, bottling and logistics operations at the group’s Springburn site.
- The name Drambuie comes from the Scots gaelic an dram buidheach, which translates as “the drink that satisfies”.
Stay informed for just £1! *
Subscribe to Just Drinks for unbiased coverage of the global drinks industry, offering insights into the corporate strategies of beverage manufacturers and brands worldwide.
What’s included in your subscription:
- Unlimited access to Just Drinks content including daily global news, in-depth analysis, and interviews with C-suite executives
- Unbeatable coverage of categories from beer, wine and spirits to soft drinks and hot beverages
- Unrivalled drinks industry comment from leading sector specialists
Ready to stay informed? Subscribe now and gain access to exclusive content.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Have a subscription? Sign in
For further details on subscribing, click here. Need multi-user access? Explore our corporate subscriptions now.
*After your 1-month trial, your subscription will continue at £315 per year.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
