 | |
| Type | Scotch Whisky |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Diageo |
| Country of origin | Scotland |
| Introduced | 1851 |
| Alcohol by volume | 40% |
| Website | bells |
Bell's is a brand of blended Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. It was originally produced by Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd and is one of the best selling whiskies in the UK, only slightly behind The Famous Grouse which is the best selling Scotch whisky on the island.
History
The Bell's producer Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd was founded in 1798.
In 1851, Arthur Bell (1825–1900) began to blend various single malts together to create a more consistent blended whisky. Arthur Bell was the first known whisky manufacturer to appoint a London agent, by at least 1863. Bell's two sons joined the business in partnership in 1895. Arthur Kinmond (1868–1942) was appointed to manage the domestic market and Robert was appointed as head of the brand overseas.
By the 1880s, the company was focused on blended whisky. Arthur Bell died in 1900. In 1921, the partnership became a private company run by Arthur Kinmond after Robert retired to live as a country gentleman. The end of Prohibition in America created a surge in demand, which led Arthur Bell & Sons to acquire two distilleries in 1933: Blair Athol and Dufftown. In 1936, the Inchgower distillery was also acquired.
The Bell brothers died in 1942 and the company accountant, William Govan Farquharson, became chairman of the company. He focused on advertising the brand more heavily. Bell's became a public company in 1949. In 1954, Arthur Bell exported to 130 countries.
By 1970, Bell's was the highest selling whisky in Scotland. In the early 1970s, Bell's could not afford the advertising budget of the larger whisky distillers. Instead, it focused on the use of mixers with its product. This increased the product's popularity with women, and Bell's revenues rose by 800% between 1970 and 1979. In 1978, Bell's became the UK's highest selling whisky. Much of the credit for this expansion is given to the then managing director Raymond Miquel.
By 1980, the company had around 35 percent market share in the UK. Arthur Bell & Sons acquired Gleneagles Hotels in 1984.
In 1985, the company was acquired by Guinness for $518 million.
n 1987, Guinness.combined the businesses of Arthur Bell & Sons and Distillers Company forming United Distillers.
In 1997, Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to create Diageo, the current owner of Arthur Bell & Sons.
Production
Blair Athol is the main component of the blend. Dufftown and Inchgower still figure, but Glenkinchie and Caol Ila are also components.
The Pittyvaich distillery was used in the blend between 1974 and 1993.
Bell's is bottled at Diageo's Shieldhall, Glasgow plant.
The product is 40% ABV in the UK, and 43% ABV in South Africa.
Distilleries
Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd owned three whisky distilleries in Scotland:
Markets
The brand's top markets are the UK, Portugal, Spain the Nordic countries, Brazil and South Africa.
Advertising
A religious man, modesty prevented Arthur Bell from using his name on his whisky. The Arthur Bell name was not attached to the product until 1904.
A yellow floribunda rose was named after Arthur Bell in the early 1960s. Bell's has used the "Afore ye go" slogan since 1925.
References
- "Leading whiskey brands ranked by on-trade sales value in the United Kingdom in 2022". statista.com. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- "Bell's Whisky – The Distillery". www.bells.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- Gavin D. Smith; Dominic Roskrow; Davin De Kergommeaux (2012). Whisky Opus. DK. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-4053-9474-1. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ "Scotch Whisky : Most authoritative guide to Scotch whisky online – Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com.
- ^ "Bell's Whisky – Home". www.bells.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ Ronald B. Weir, ‘Bell, Arthur (1825–1900)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2011 accessed 8 Jan 2014
- "Bell's Whisky – Home". www.bells.co.uk.
- ^ James, Barrie G. (1985). Business Wargames. Taylor & Francis. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-85626-441-2.
- ^ Philip Hills (21 December 2012). Scots On Scotch: The Book of Whisky. Mainstream Publishing. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-78057-788-3.
- David Parker (19 June 2013). The Official History of Privatisation, Vol. II: Popular Capitalism, 1987–97. Routledge. p. 438. ISBN 978-1-136-33123-7.
- Feder, Barnaby J. (24 August 1985). "Bell's Stockholders Back Guinness Bid". The New York Times.
- "The Guinness / Distillers Saga: The Aftermath". Scottish Whisky Magazine. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- "DIAGEO SCOTLAND LIMITED overview – Find and update company information – GOV.UK".
- ^ "Bell's Whisky – Home". www.bells.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ "Bells Whisky – one of Scotlands big brands". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- "Bell's Whisky – Home". www.bells.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- Whisk(e)y Archived January 8, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- "Arthur Bell (Climbing) – Country Garden Roses". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
