From Touch Solutions to Emperador
The company was set up on 26 November 2001 as Touch Solutions, an information technology firm.1,2 It listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in December 2011.2 In 2013, Andrew Tan's Alliance Global Group took control, using the listed firm to bring Emperador Distillers to the stock market, and Tan became chair and Winston Co president.1,3 The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission approved the name Emperador Inc. on 27 September 2013.1,3
Buying Whyte & Mackay
On 9 May 2014, Emperador agreed to buy Whyte & Mackay from United Spirits, an Indian drinks firm that Diageo had taken control of.1,4,6 UK competition officials found that Diageo's Bell's blend competed with Whyte & Mackay's blends, so United Spirits had to sell.1,4,6 The UK Competition and Markets Authority approved Emperador as the buyer, and the deal closed on 31 October 2014.1,4,5
Andy Player
In October 2015, Emperador Distillers brought back Andy Player, an '80s whisky that Winston Co has called "our first successful liquor product… blended here in the Philippines".1,7,8 Andrew Tan made the new blend himself, with orange marmalade and maple syrup among its ingredients, and said it would use grains from Scotland and local materials.1,7,8
Expanding the distilleries
In 2023, Emperador planned to invest $107 million to expand production at Whyte & Mackay's five Scotch distilleries: Jura, Dalmore, Fettercairn, Tamnavulin and Invergordon.9,10 It later reported the key projects done, including an expansion that doubled the Dalmore distillery's production capacity.9,10