Morrison Bowmore Distillers (MBD) started life in 1951 as an independent player in an industry largely dominated by the dinosaur that was The Distillers Company. Its founder was Stanley P Morrison who, with partner James Howat, astutely built the company into one of Scotch whisky's major players. Then, with the assistance of Stanley's sons Brian and Tim they eventually created a distillery portfolio of Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch. A considerable trade in bulk whisky was built up but as this market declined and interest in single malts grew, the firm developed its branded business. In 1989, Suntory of Japan acquired a stake, later to assume full control. Since 2000, under CEO Mike Keiller, Morrison Bowmore Distillers has evolved into a single malt specialist concentrating almost exclusively on its three core brands. As this history receives its finishing touches, 2014 will represent the final chapter as the business is subsumed into the new Beam Suntory group, thus becoming part of the Scotch whisky industry's rich history.
This lavishly illustrated volume traces the early beginnings of MBD and charts the development of the company over six decades as it grew and prospered. Peppered with characters that lived and worked for the company, it is perhaps the first and only MBD history that will ever be produced as it becomes a part of one of the world's whisky giants. 'Copiously illustrated and beautifully produced ...this will surely be the definitive history of Morrison Bowmore.' Charles MacLean