OUR STORY

A brief history of William Ewart Gladstone.

THE PRELUDE

“the grand old man”

Behind every great brand is a great story. Perhaps that’s the most important lesson we have learned from my many years creating new drinks. We can certainly think of no better story or figurehead for a Scotch Whisky than my ancestor, Mr Gladstone, and his Axes.

Mr Gladstone signed the spirits act of 1860 allowing the blending of scotch for the first time – essentially creating the scotch whisky industry that we know today. Known as “THE GRAND OLD MAN” his passion and pastime was felling trees with his trusty collection of axes - people from around the country would come to watch him chopping trees.

Through his progressive ideology, he was instrumental in driving out corruption and passing new laws for the people.

he moved among the forest trees, the trusty axe within his hand, his fame was known across the seas, the woodman of our england’s strand.
Hunt Jackson, Brighton Herald, 1898
PRIME MINISTER

THE PEOPLE’S WILLIAM

Readers, it may surprise you that the famous four-time Prime Minister died plain old Mr Gladstone. As was usual for an out-going Prime Minister, Mr Gladstone was offered an Earldom. True to form, however, he turned it down. Instead of a title bestowed upon him by royalty, he had a title bestowed by the people of Britain who affectionately named him The People’s William.

WHISKEY MADE FOR THE PROGRESSIVE

malt whisky

Scotch is a magical drink and we believe our two blends of Gladstone Axe bring out the simplest expression of what makes Scotch so special. We only use Malt Whiskies and our two distinct styles – American Oak and The Black Axe – represent a distillation of the best of Scottish Whisky.

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