Drambuie: Scotland's Royal Whisky Elixir

Drambuie's story begins in 1746 with Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) sharing his personal liqueur recipe with John MacKinnon of Skye as reward for protection. The name derives from Gaelic 'An Dram Buidheach' meaning 'the drink that satisfies'.

The recipe, combining aged Scotch whisky, heather honey, herbs, and spices, remained within the MacKinnon family until 1893, when John Ross began commercial production at the Broadford Hotel on the Isle of Skye.

The MacKinnon family officially registered the brand in 1893, initiating the first commercial production of this Highland whisky liqueur.

By the 1930s, Drambuie had gained international recognition, particularly in the United States following Prohibition. The company moved production to Edinburgh in 1909, establishing a modern facility while maintaining traditional methods.

The Post-War era saw significant expansion, with Drambuie becoming a staple in cocktail culture and establishing itself in the global premium spirits market.

Drambuie achieved global recognition through its signature cocktail, the Rusty Nail, which became popular in the 1950s among the era's luminaries. The brand expanded distribution worldwide, becoming particularly successful in the United States and European markets.

In 2014, William Grant & Sons acquired Drambuie, bringing new investment while maintaining the original recipe's secrecy and traditional production methods.

While excellent neat or on ice, Drambuie features in several classic cocktails.

• Rusty Nail

  The iconic mix of Scotch whisky and Drambuie, created in the 1950s

• Drambuie Collins

  A refreshing blend of Drambuie, lemon juice, and soda water

• Highland Honeysuckle

  Drambuie combined with ginger beer and lime juice

• Scotch Royal

  Equal parts Drambuie and blended Scotch with a splash of bitters

Today, Drambuie continues to evolve while honoring its heritage. William Grant & Sons has introduced new expressions, including the Drambuie 15 featuring a selection of 15-year-old Speyside malts.

The brand maintains its position in the premium liqueur category through innovative marketing campaigns and cocktail competitions. Modern bartenders continue to experiment with Drambuie, creating contemporary variations of classics and new signature serves.