William Peel Profile

Blended Scotch Whisky

Blended Scotch William Peel is one of the best-selling whisky brands worldwide thanks to a huge following in France. Owned by Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits (MBWS), part of the of the Belvédère group with roots back to 1755, William Peel consists of 18 Highland and Speyside malts alongside Lowland grain whisky.

The brand is available in four expressions: original, Double Maturation, and as coffee and honey-flavoured liqueurs.

  • Production type
    Blended Scotch
    Single malt

William Peel History

William Peel is almost unknown in the UK but is the leading blended whisky brand in France, the world’s largest export market by volume for Scotch. It was created by entrepreneur Bernard Magrez in 1964 when he established William Pitters International at Lormont in Bordeaux.

Initially Magrez imported various malts under the brand name before establishing William Peel as a blended whisky. Its sister brand, The Glen Peel, was also used to bottle single malts until 2005, when Marie Brizard et Roger acquired most of the spirits interests of William Pitters International. Under new ownership William Peel blended Scotch became a priority.

In 2006 Marie Brizard et Roger was acquired by the Belvédère Group and renamed Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits (MBWS). It is one of the few companies which is GI (geographic indicator) approved by HMRC which allows it to supply the vast number of supermarkets on the continent with Scotch whisky bottled in France after supply in bulk from Scottish distillers.

By 2014 William Peel was selling three million cases per year.

Timeline

  • 1964 Bernard Magrez establishes William Pitterson International and the William Peel brand
  • 1991 The Belvédère Group is founded
  • 2005 Marie Brizard et Roger acquires the spirits assets of William Pitters International.
  • 2006 Marie Brizard et Roger is purchased by the Belvédère Group, along with all associated brands, and renamed Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits.
  • 2014 William Peel sells over three million cases in a single year

Owners

Marie Brizard & Roger International logo

Current owner

  • Marie Brizard & Roger International 2005 - present

Previous owner

  • William Ptters International 1964 - 2005

Contact

Address
Marie Brizard Wine and Spirits France Service
19, Boulevard Paul Vaillant Couturier
Ivry-sur-Seine
Paris
94200
France
Visitor Opening Hours
Not open to the public

Map

See also

  • Rémy Cointreau Rémy Cointreau Rémy Cointreau Distiller & blender

    Rémy Cointreau

    French owner of Bruichladdich.

  • LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Distiller & blender

    LVMH

    French luxury goods group.

  • Pure Spirit Pure Spirit Pure Spirit Own-label

    Pure Spirit

    An online retailer offering a curated range of Scotch whisky, specialising in single casks.

Scroll To Top