Glenfiddich whisky maker William Grant & Sons gives confident outlook after profits slide 13%
“2025 was another challenging year for the spirits industry, with external pressures affecting performance across many of the company’s key markets” – Graeme Jenkins, CFO
Whisky giant William Grant & Sons has reported a double-digit slide in annual profits as it battled “difficult” market conditions.
The sixth-generation, family-owned distiller posted turnover of just under £1.76 billion and profit before tax of £337 million for the year ending December 31, 2025. It said market conditions had remained difficult throughout the year, with ongoing geopolitical and trade pressures, alongside weak consumer demand, continuing to affect industry performance.
Against this backdrop, the company’s profit figure was 13 per cent lower than 2024.
Bosses said the Glenfiddich maker had continued to focus on long-term shareholder value growth, through “significant” brand investment, acquisition and expansion of distillery capacity.
During the year, the group completed the acquisition of iconic blended Scotch whisky The Famous Grouse and the Naked Malt brands from industry peer Edrington, and continued work on the expansion of the Girvan Distillery on the west coast of Scotland.
While overall volumes were down year-on-year, performance varied across the portfolio, the firm noted. It saw resilient contributions in select areas of the business, including share growth in several categories and ongoing progress in some key markets.
Chief financial officer Graeme Jenkins said: “2025 was another challenging year for the spirits industry, with external pressures affecting performance across many of the company’s key markets. Against this backdrop, our focus has been on outstanding execution, while at the same time maintaining our long-term approach to brand and distillery investment.
“While the results reflect the current operating environment, our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the spirits industry remains strong. The company will continue to take those actions that ensure we are well positioned to benefit when market conditions improve,” he added.
The company was founded by William Grant in 1887 and is still based in Dufftown. It distils, bottles and distributes some of the world’s best-selling brands of Scotch whisky and other spirits, including the world’s most-awarded single malt Scotch whisky Glenfiddich. Other spirits in the portfolio include Tullamore Irish whiskey, Sailor Jerry spiced rum, Drambuie whisky liqueur, Milagro tequila, Reyka vodka and “ultra-premium” Silent Pool Gin.
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