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The whisky industry is home to hundreds of distilleries worldwide, with Scotland alone boasting over 130 whisky distilleries. The industry is constantly growing, with new distilleries being established every year. In this article, we will be exploring some of the biggest players in the industry and the distilleries they own. While many more whisky owners are out there, we have included 14 of them in this list. It's worth noting that many new distilleries are owned by small companies and are not well-known in the industry yet.
We will also be including distilleries from around the world that produce different types of whiskies within one establishment and brands owned by big companies. Although we have listed the distilleries by their main owner, it's important to note that many companies own parts of their 'competitors' distilleries. For example, Beam Suntory has stocks in Macallan, which is also owned by William Grant & Sons, but the owner is often just listed as Edrington Group.
So, let's dive in and take a closer look!
1. Diageo
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Diageo is the largest beverage company globally, and it has its headquarters situated in London, England. It is also the primary owner of whisky distilleries in Scotland, with a portfolio of 29 different working distilleries, 17 of which are in Speyside, in addition to several blended whisky brands. Speculations suggest that Diageo might acquire more malt whisky distilleries, but due to industry regulations, they have been given a cap of 29 to avoid monopolization. Previously, the cap was set at 28.
The addition of Roseisle in 2009 did not add to Diageo's vast malt whisky distillery portfolio as its purpose was to relieve the pressure off other distilleries due to growing demand. Furthermore, Diageo has reopened Brora in 2021 and is currently rebuilding Port Ellen in Islay, both of which closed in 1983 but have been owned by Diageo and its predecessors.
Scotland
Auchroisk, Speyside
Benrinnes, Speyside
Blair Athol, Highlands
Brora, Highlands
Caol Ila, Islay
Cardhu, Speyside
Clynelish, Highlands
Cragganmore, Speyside
Dailuaine, Speyside
Dalwhinnie, Highlands
Dufftown, Speyside
Glendullan, Speyside
Glen Elgin, Speyside
Glenkinchie, Lowlands
Glenlossie, Speyside
Glen Ord, Highlands
Glen Spey, Speyside
Inchgower, Speyside Knockando, Speyside
Lagavulin, Islay
Linkwood, Speyside Mannochmore, Speyside
Mortlach, Speyside
Oban, Highlands
Port Ellen, Islay
Roseisle, Speyside Royal Lochnagar, Highlands
Strathmill, Speyside
Talisker, Skye Teaninich, Highlands
Blends
America
2. Pernod Ricard
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Pernod Ricard, the second-largest whisky distillery owner in Scotland, and its subsidiary, Chivas Brothers, own numerous brands and distilleries globally, including single malts, blends, and American whiskies. All except one of their current distilleries in Scotland are located in the Speyside region. The company announced plans to build a distillery on Islay in 2023, adding to its Scottish portfolio.
In 2021, Pernod Ricard acquired The Whisky Exchange, the UK's largest online spirits retailer, from the Singh brothers.
Scotland
Aberlour, Speyside
Allt-a-Bhainne, Speyside
Braeval, Speyside
Dalmunach, Speyside
Glenburgie, Speyside
Glen Keith, Speyside
Glentauchers, Speyside
Longmorn, Speyside
Miltonduff, Speyside
Scapa, Orkney
Strathisla, Speyside
The Glenlivet, Speyside
Blends
Irish
America
3. Suntory Global Spirits
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Suntory Global Spirits is a multinational Japanese company, and is ranked third behind Diageo and Pernod Ricard. Its US headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. The company owns six distilleries in Scotland, but most of its whiskies are produced outside of the UK. Because of its diverse ownership with roots in Japan and the US, some of its releases may have a Japanese influence and are even intended for the Japanese or American markets exclusively.
In May 2024, Suntory Holdings changed its name to Suntory Global Spirits after 10 years since the company purchased Beam.
Scotland
Ardmore, Highlands
Auchentoshan, Lowlands
Bowmore, Islay
Glen Garioch, Highlands
Laphroaig, Islay
Blends
Irish
America
Japan
4. Bacardi
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Bacardi Limited Company, also known as John Dewar & Sons in Scotland, is the biggest family-owned beverage company globally. It was established in 1862 by Facundo Bacardi, and its headquarters are situated in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi owns five malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, and its iconic rum is renowned worldwide. Their portfolio includes over 200 different brands and labels.
Scotland
Aberfeldy, Highlands
Aultmore, Speyside
Craigellachie, Speyside
Macduff (Deveron), Highlands
Royal Brackla, Highlands
Blends
Irish
America
5. Inver House
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Under its parent company, Thai Beverage Public Company (ThaiBev), Inver House Distillers owns five whisky distilleries in Scotland. ThaiBev has around 27 alcoholic brands, with a focus on Thai spirits, which are not listed here.
Scotland
Balblair, Highlands
Balmenach, Speyside
Knockdhu (Ancnoc), Speyside
Old Pulteney, Highlands
Speyburn, Speyside
Blends
6. William Grant & Sons
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Founded in 1887 by William Grant, William Grant & Sons is the proud owner and distiller of Glenfiddich, the best-selling single malt in the world. The company operates four distilleries in Scotland, including the lesser-known small-scale Kininvie distillery. Established in 2007, the Ailsa Bay distillery is a state-of-the-art facility that can produce a wide variety of whiskies under one roof, making it a true whisky-making powerhouse.
In September 2024 as a somewhat surprise move, William Grant & Sons acquired The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt blends from Edrington Group.
Scotland
Ailsa Bay, Lowlands
Balvenie, Speyside
Glenfiddich, Speyside
Kininvie, Speyside
Blends
Irish
7. Whyte & Mackay
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Whyte & Mackay, owned by Emperador from the Philippines, is the owner of some of the most renowned whisky brands in the world. They have four operational single malt distilleries based in Scotland. In particular, their Dalmore malt has gained significant recognition, with some of its releases selling for large amounts in auctions. The company's former master blender, Richard Paterson, who recently retired from the company, is widely regarded as an industry legend.
Scotland
Dalmore, Highlands
Fettercairn, Highlands
Jura, Jura
Tamnavulin, Speyside
Blends
8. Brown-Forman
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Brown-Forman is an American company that is primarily known for owning Jack Daniel's, which is probably the most well-advertised whiskey in the world. In 2016, the company acquired the Benriach Distillery Co in Scotland, which included three Scottish distilleries. Prior to that acquisition, Brown-Forman did not have any whisky-making establishments in Scotland.
Scotland
Benriach, Speyside
GlenDronach, Highlands
Glenglassaugh, Highlands
America
Irish
9. CVH Spirits - Heineken
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Heineken completed the acquisition of Distell International, a South African spirits company that had previously acquired Burn Stewart Distillers and its portfolio in 2013, in April 2023. Capevin Holdings, also known as CVH Spirits, was created by Heineken to oversee the three Scottish whisky distilleries and two Scottish whisky blends owned by Burn Stewart Distillers. Tobermory distillery, located on the Isle of Mull, produces a heavily peated-style whisky named Ledaig, which has gained popularity in recent years.
Scotland
Bunnahabhain, Islay
Deanston, Highlands
Ledaig, Mull
Tobermory, Mull
Blends
South Africa
10. Edrington Group
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Edrington Group, the owner of some of the most renowned whisky brands, operates three malt distilleries in Scotland. It is one of the largest privately owned beverage companies in the world, with its headquarters located in Glasgow, Scotland. Although Edrington may have fewer distilleries and brands than some of its competitors, it compensates for this by releasing a variety of different expressions. However, some critics argue that they may have gone overboard with the number of releases.
Scotland
Glenrothes, Highlands
Highland Park, Orkney
Macallan, Speyside
America
11. Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy
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LVMH, which is shortened for Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, is not only famous for its whiskies, but also for its ventures in other businesses like handbags, perfumes, and champagne. Under its subsidiary Glenmorangie Co, LVMH possesses two malt distilleries in Scotland, which you might have already heard of.
Scotland
Ardbeg, Islay
Glenmorangie, Highlands
12. Nikka
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The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. is a Tokyo-based producer of Japanese whisky and other beverages. Although they only own one malt distillery in Scotland, they use it as an ingredient in some of their Japanese whisky blends. Nikka offers a range of whiskies, including Ben Nevis, which can be found in their portfolio.
Nikka has two distilleries in Japan, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. The two distilleries produce different kinds of whiskies, but both operate under one establishment, bringing to life Masataka Taketsuru's dream of making Japanese blends in their facilities.
Scotland
Ben Nevis, Highlands
Japan
13. Campari
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The Campari Group is an Italian beverage company, headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy. Its London office is situated in The Shard, one of England's tallest buildings. Although it only has one malt distillery in Scotland, Campari is still worth mentioning in the whisky industry.
On 17 September 2024, Campari Group completed its purchase of a 14.5% minority stake in the South African company Capevin Holdings, more commonly known as CVH Spirits.
Scotland
Glen Grant, Speyside
America
14. Remy Cointreau
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Remy Cointreau is a well-known company that produces the famous Cointreau liqueur and Remy Martin cognac. In addition to these, the company owns one malt distillery in Scotland, located on the Isle of Islay. The distillery Bruichladdich has gained popularity due to its heavily peated whiskies. The reason we want to highlight this distillery is that it manufactures three distinctive whiskies under one roof - Unpeated Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte, and extremely peated Octomore.
Scotland
Bruichladdich, Islay
Octomore, Islay
Port Charlotte, Islay
France
America
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