22nd May, 2014 by Amy Hopkins

Scotch liqueur brand Drambuie has been put up for sale after spending more than 100 years under family ownership.

The MacKinnon family, who purchased Drambuie in the early 20th Century, is now looking to sell the brand, it has been confirmed to The Spirits Business.

According to a report in the Financial Times, the family is hoping to capitalise on a thriving global cocktail scene, as well as the popularity of “heritage brands” among Asian companies eyeing expansion.

Analysts estimate that the liqueur, which is produced by Suntory’s Scotch whisky arm Morrison Bowmore Distillers, is worth around £100 million.

Drambuie has undertaken a rebranding effort in recent years in an attempt to appeal to a younger market. Part of this effort was the launch of the brand’s A Taste of the Extraordinary campaign.

In its financial results for 2013, Drambuie revealed that its overall operating profit had risen 5% to £3.37 million, while its “star” UK market saw growth of 17%.

“We have remained true to our vision that the company should be a highly focused brand marketing and distribution operation with a clear strategy to rebuild the famous Drambuie brand,” company chairman R. A. Stone said at the time.

However, the brand admitted to “flat” sales in the US – its “most important market” – and reduced distributor stockholdings in Asia.

“Overall, this has been a positive but difficult year in the company’s quest to rebuild the Drambuie brand,” stone said of 2013.

“However, we feel we are in a good position to tackle these difficult trading conditions and make good progress in the forthcoming year.”

Drambuie’s roots can be traced back to 1746, when “Bonnie Prince Charlie” gave his secret liqueur recipe to Scottish clansman John MacKinnon, who aided his escape after defeat at the Battle of Culloden.

The liqueur also rose to prominence in the 1950s as the main ingredient for Rusty Nail, a cocktail favoured by members of the Rat Pack – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr.