Memorial To Charles Grant Gordon

[William]

International memorial services have taken place in New York and Glasgow to mark the recent passing of a Scotch Whisky Giant, Charles Grant Gordon who was known in the industry as "Mr Whisky".

Charlie, took the helm of the family business William Grant & Sons Ltd in 1953 when his father died at a young age. Charlie who was only 25 himself became the director of the company.

Charlie was a natural salesman, enjoying the cut and thrust of business and the thrill of the next sale. It was mainly his infectious drive and enthusiasm, along with the innovative choices he made along the way, that are responsible for bringing the Grant's brand into the modern era and for turning it into the global success it is today.

His contribution to the worldwide drinks trade was huge, he played a pivotal role in the global development of Scotch whisky, and fittingly, Glenfiddich, the single malt that he was instrumental in launching to international acclaim, this launch marked the beginning of the single malt whisky category as we know it today. It was also under Charles leadership that Glenfiddich and Grants lauched their now iconic triangular shaped bottle.

Charlie's contribution to the worldwide drinks trade was marked at special memorial services held in New York on February 18th and in his hometown of Glasgow in Scotland today February 21st.

You can read a memorial to Charles Gordon Grant here:
www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/charlesgrantgordon.htm

Charles Grant Gordons Life & Career August 21 1927 - December 21 2013

August 21 1927 - Born in Glasgow
August 1939 - Evacuated during World War Two
June 1945 - Joins the Royal Navy
Jan 1948 - End of Naval service
May 1951 - Qualified as Chartered Accountant
November 1951 - Joins family business
June 1953 - Father dies & Charles joins the board as Director
July 1954 - Married Margaret Louise Eccles
November 1956 - Triangular bottle launched
1960 Bottling plant opens at Paisley, Scotland
1963 - Construction begins at Girvan Distillery, Scotland
Dec 1963 - Distillation begins at Girvan
1964 - Purchase of Popper Morson Inc., an American import house that owned the Clan Macgregor brand
1980 - Development of Frangelico Hazelnut Liquor
1990 - Bottling plant and Customer Service Centre opens at Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland
1996 - Company takes 30 per cent holding in Highland Distillers, with Edrington.
2000 - Launch of Hendrick's Gin
2000 - Charles becomes president of William Grant & Sons
October 2002 - Gibson's Canadian Whisky is acquired
April 2005 - Monkey Shoulder is launched
September 2005 - Reyka Vodka distillation begins in Iceland
2006 - Milagro Tequila is acquired
2008 - Charles becomes life president of William Grant & Sons
January 19 2009 - Charles greets His Royal Highness Prince Charles at the newly opened Alisa Bay Distillery, Scotland
March 2010 - Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey is acquired
December 21 2013 - Charles dies, aged 86

Charles played a pivotal role in the global development of Scotch whisky and fittingly, Glenfiddich, the single malt that he was instrumental in launching to international acclaim, will be releasing an exquisite commemorative expression in his honour. This extremely rare and ancient whisky is inspired by Charles' passion, vision and achievements. Further details of this incredible release will be announced later in 2014.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[jcarrick]

An interesting read and what an amazing career and life in whisky. I wonder what the Scotch whisky industry would be like today if Charles Grant Gordon hadnt decided to sell single malt whisky internationally.

Hopefully the commemorative bottle will be one i can afford, either way i bet it will be pretty special.

[Kenny M]

Yes you wonder if he hadnt decided to launch Glenfiddich Straight Malt overseas in 1963 would we have all the single malts that we have today.

I am sure the commemorative bottle, whatever price it is will be very sought after.

[Keith]

A great read William, very interesting and i will be very interested in hearing about the commemorative bottle.

[John]

A great piece William.

[Samson]

He really did make William Grants what it is today by exporting Glenfiddich as a single malt when others thought it was a mad idea and then building his own grain distllery rather than depend on others to supply grain whisky for the Grants blend.

I wonder if the commemorative bottling will make it to Canada or if it will be a UK exclusive release, either way it does sound like it would be a top of the range release.

[McKay]

Us single malt whisky drinkers do have a lot to thank Charles Grant Gordon for.

It does sound like the commemorative bottle will be a mature Glenfiddich

[Andy M]

William i read this tonight while appropriately sipping on a Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition. He did have quite an influence on the whisky industry and was obviously a very good businessman also. I wonder how many family business has annual sales of over £1 billion with the current state of the global economy.