After over 20 years working in partnership, De Kuyper Royal Distillers and William Grant and Sons announce today their UK distribution arrangements will conclude on January 31st 2027.
As both companies continue to evolve their respective portfolio strategies and long-term ambitions, De Kuyper Royal Distillers and William Grant and Sons have mutually agreed that the time is right to conclude their current UK distribution partnership.
“The UK is a defining market for De Kuyper and for the future of the cocktail category” says Leo Evers, CEO of De Kuyper Royal Distillers. “We have worked closely with William Grant in the UK for over 20 years, and they have played an important part in building our core brands over that time. Given our ambition for our brands, and that of William Grant for their portfolio, we both believe the time is right to conclude our partnership when the current contract concludes at the end of January 2027. I look forward to announcing an exciting new distribution agreement for the De Kuyper portfolio in the coming days.”
Neil Barker, Managing Director of William Grant and Sons UK, comments “We are proud to have represented De Kuyper in the UK for over two decades. Together, we have grown the De Kuyper brand into the UK’s leading liqueur portfolio and successfully managed the acquisition of the Archers brand in its leading international market. Following the acquisition of The Famous Grouse and Silent Pool brands, the time is right for us to focus on the growth of the William Grant brand portfolio – and we have mutually agreed the interests of both parties are best served by concluding our UK partnership. We are both focused on ensuring a smooth and orderly transition of the De Kuyper brands to protect customer service and our trade partners.”