2nd May, 2017 by Amy Hopkins

British wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has sold The Glenrothes single malt whisky brand back to Edrington after seven years of ownership.

The deal sees The Glenrothes brand reunited with Speyside-based Glenrothes Distillery and cooperage, which have been owned and operated by Edrington and Highland Distillers since 1887.

Berry Bros has distributed The Glenrothes in international markets since 1995 and purchased the brand from Edrington, maker of The Macallan Scotch, in 2010.

The Glenrothes will continue to be distributed by Berry Bros’s distribution and import business Fields Morris & Verdin in the UK, while Edrington Americas will distribute the brand in the US.

Edrington and its joint venture distribution companies already handle The Glenrothes in several of its key markets, including Spain, the Nordics, Asia and travel retail. Existing distribution contracts will transfer to Edrington with the brand.

“Berry Bros & Rudd has always delighted in the development and cultivation of new spirits brands and the sale will enable us to invest further, developing our business ambitions in this area,” said Dan Jago, who was named chief executive of Berry Bros in 2015.

Paul Ross, managing director of Edrington’s super-premium business unit, added: “We are very pleased to be reuniting the brand with its distillery and we know it will be an excellent member of Edrington’s leading family of premium brands, including The Macallan and Highland Park.

“We are very much looking forward to accelerating the growth of this award-winning single malt in international markets.”

Since both Edrington and Berry Bros are privately owned companies, the terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Edrington’s last significant acquisition was of Brugal rum ­– a deal at the time reported to be worth more than £200 million.