August 6, 2026 (Saint Paul, MN) — Johnson Brothers, a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, today announced the expansion of its partnership with William Grant & Sons, bringing the company’s award-winning portfolio of premium spirits to Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
William Grant & Sons is one of the world’s most respected premium spirits companies, with a portfolio that includes globally recognized brands such as Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, Monkey Shoulder, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Milagro Tequila, and Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. The family-owned company has remained independent since its founding in 1887 and is recognized throughout the industry for its commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and long-term brand building.
“This expanded partnership reflects the strength of our relationship with William Grant & Sons and our shared commitment to building superior brands for long-term success,” said Yale Johnson, President of Sales, Johnson Brothers. “Their portfolio features some of the most iconic and sought-after spirits in the world, and we are excited to bring our sales expertise, market knowledge, and executional excellence to support continued growth across these markets.”
The addition of William Grant & Sons further strengthens Johnson Brothers’ luxury spirits portfolio, creating new opportunities for retailers and consumers. Industry-leading brands including Glenfiddich and The Balvenie continue to define the luxury single malt Scotch whisky category, while Hendrick’s Gin remains one of the world’s leading gin brands.
Together, these brands provide customers with a portfolio well positioned to meet continued consumer demand for premium and super-premium spirits.
“Johnson Brothers has consistently demonstrated the market expertise, customer relationships, and executional excellence needed to grow premium and luxury spirits brands,” said Melanie Batchelor, President, William Grant & Sons USA. “As we expand our partnership across these markets, we are confident in Johnson Brothers’ ability to represent our portfolio and continue building brands the right way—for customers, consumers, and future generations.”
About Johnson Brothers
Johnson Brothers is a third-generation, family-owned wine, beer, and spirits distributor founded in 1953 by Lynn Johnson in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Guided by its founding values of work ethic, teamwork, excellence, innovation, passion, and integrity, the company partners with top-tier suppliers to deliver a world-class portfolio and exceptional service to customers across 25 states. The company was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for three consecutive years (2023–2025). Learn more at johnsonbrothers.com | LinkedIn | Instagram.
About William Grant & Sons
William Grant & Sons is a sixth-generation independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the Company is run by a professional management team and distils, bottles, and distributes some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky and premium gin.
Its global icons include the world’s most-awarded single malt Scotch whisky Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts, Monkey Shoulder® blended malt Scotch and super-premium Hendrick’s® Gin. Other spirits in the portfolio include Grant’s® and The Famous Grouse® blended Scotch whiskies, Tullamore D.E.W.® Irish whiskey, Sailor Jerry® spiced rum, Drambuie whisky liqueur, Milagro® tequila, Reyka® vodka, Discarded Spirits Co.® and ultra-premium Silent Pool Gin®.
Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the US. For more information on the company and its brands, please visit @williamgrantusa on Instagram and Facebook or www.williamgrant.com.
