CRAWFORD'S Five Star

The whisky firm of A&A Crawford was established in Leith in 1860, and its flagship 3 Star blend was created before the turn of the century.

Customers wishing to trade up could also purchase Crawford’s 5 Star once it was launched in the 1920s. To confuse matters Daniel Crawford & Sons Ltd of Glasgow had released its own eponymous blend by then.

By the time A&A Crawford had been adsorbed into the Distillers Company Ltd (DCL) in 1944, 3 Star was one of the most popular blends in Scotland. Unfortunately it was now part of a vast stable of DCL blends and obviously overshadowed by the likes of Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s and White Horse. In the fall-out from the Guinness takeover of DCL in 1986, the UK rights to Crawford’s 3 Star and 5 Star and a raft of other whiskies including Haig and The Buchanan Blend passed to Whyte & Mackay. Diageo – the successor to DCL – continues to own the rights to the brand overseas.