Dewar’s is a brand of blended scotch whisky currently owned by Bacardi. Started by wholesaler John Dewar Sr. in 1846 and grown by his sons, John Dewar Jr. and Tommy Dewar, the company has long been one of the largest blended scotch brands. After John Sr.’s death in 1880, John Jr. provided practical business savvy, while Tommy (1864–1930) traveled around the world to promote the brand and hire salespeople along the way. In 1894, Tommy published a book, A Ramble Round the Globe, recounting his journey, which furthered his and the brand’s notoriety. Restless and curious, the highly quotable Tommy was among the first in England to own an automobile and commissioned the first motion picture advertisements for a spirits brand. Both brothers entered politics, but Tommy—made Baron Dewar in 1919—is most remembered as a conservative member of Parliament for his staunchly anti-immigrant positions.
The Dewar bothers expanded the business by starting or buying distilleries, first with Aberfeldy in 1896, which remains the primary component of Dewar’s blends. After setbacks during the First World War and American Prohibition, the company eventually joined with the powerful Distillers Company Limited in 1925. See Distillers Company Limited (DCL). That company, which merged with Guinness to become United Distillers in the 1980s, eventually became the spirits behemoth Diageo in 1997. See Diageo. Dewar’s was sold to Bacardi the next year in a large liquidation of redundant spirits brands and to satisfy antitrust requirements. In addition to Aberfeldy, Bacardi’s John Dewar & Sons subsidiary currently owns the Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie, and Royal Brackla distilleries.
Dewar’s has marketed its primary point of differentiation as aging whiskies further in barrels after marrying, as opposed to merely mixing the blends in tanks before bottling. Current offerings are the flagship white label, 12-, 15-, and 18-year varieties, as well as a “scratched cask” label, designed to have spicier, more robust barrel flavors typically associated with American whiskies.
See also Bacardi and whisky, scotch.
Buxton, Ian. The Enduring Legacy of Dewar’s: A Complete History. Glasgow: Angel’s Share, 2010.
Dewar, Thomas R. A Ramble Round the Globe. London: Chatto & Windus, 1894.
Difford’s Guide website. https://www.diffordsguide.com (accessed March 2, 2021).
Roskrow, Dominic. The World’s Best Whiskies: 750 Essential Drams from Tennessee to Tokyo. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2010.
By: Colin Spoelman