Berry Bros. & Rudd
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The distillery in brief
A historic institution in London’s St James‘s district, Berry Bros & Rudd is a family-owned and run wine and spirits merchant.
History
The company is Britain's oldest wine and spirt merchant, established in the 17th century. Its flagship store has been located at 3 St James's Street, London, since 1698 when it was founded by the Widow Bourne. A supplier to the Royal Family since the reign of King George III, historic customers have included Lord Byron, William Pitt the Younger and the Aga Khan.
The company’s colourful history encompasses placing wines on board the Titanic, supplying smugglers running alcohol into Prohibition-era America, and sheltering Napoleon III in cellars beneath the shop!
The firm created the Cutty Sark blended whisky in 1923, and pioneered the vintage concept for the Glenrothes single malt. Today, the company holds two Royal Warrants and employs eight Masters of Wine, while members of the Berry and Rudd families continue to own and manage the business.
In 2017 the company sold the Glenrothes single malt brand back to Edrington.
Timeline
- 1698 Berry Bros. & Rudd was founded by the Widow Bourne on St. James's Street in London.
- 1903 The company received its first Royal Warrant from King Edward VII.
- 1923 Cutty Sark whisky was launched in the USA, gaining popularity during Prohibition.
- 2010 The company sold the Cutty Sark whisky brand to Edrington.
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