First Drinks takes on Grant's whisky

Grant's, the UK's fourth biggest on-trade blended whisky, has moved from Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine to First Drinks Brands (FDB).

FDB already distributes Glenfiddich and the Balvenie Single Malt for the distiller.

The move makes FDB a serious player in drinks distribution as it is a significant on-trade brand and is worth £60million at retail level. FDB aims to give Grant's new direction and focus.

Managing director Jeremy Main said: "We are delighted with our appointment as UK distributor for Grant's. This major brand firmly establishes First Drinks Brands as a key distributor in the eyes of the trade, with an enhanced portfolio competing across most volume and specialist sectors."

FDB was set up in April 1996 and is jointly owned by William Grant & Sons and Bacardi-Martini. Over the last two years it has built a reputation for building brands including Campari and Glenfiddich which have both grown volume, market share and distribution.

William Grant & Sons director Tony Hunt said: "Our relationship with Allied Domecq has held strong for over 16 years and we are sorry to see it come to an end.

Over the last five years Grant's has been the fastest growing standard blended Scotch whisky in the world and where it makes sense, as in the UK, we look to have all our Scotch whisky brands with the same distributor."