Old Parr, often referred to simply as Grand Old Parr, is a distinguished blended Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. Named after Old Tom Parr, reputedly the oldest man in England, the brand was launched in 1909. Old Parr is primarily distributed in international markets such as Japan, Mexico, South America (particularly Colombia), and the United States, no longer being available in the United Kingdom.

History

Old Parr was first introduced by Greenlees Brothers of London and Glasgow in 1909, drawing its name from the legendary longevity of Old Tom Parr. Initially successful in London, the brand soon gained popularity in export markets for its mature and refined character.

Through a series of mergers, Greenlees Brothers became part of MacDonald Greenlees & Williams. In 1925, the company was acquired by Distillers Company, which later became part of Guinness, eventually merging to form Diageo in 1997.

Blends

Old Parr offers a range of aged blends:

• Grand Old Parr (12 years old, 40% ABV): The standard blend known for its balanced character.
• Old Parr (15 years old, 43% ABV): A more mature expression with enhanced complexity.
• Old Parr Superior (18 years old, 43% ABV): Introduced in 1989, blended in limited quantities and highly regarded for its sophistication.

Old Parr has also introduced discontinued expressions like Old Parr Tribute and Old Parr Elizabethan, the latter being a premium offering launched in the mid-1980s.

Production

Old Parr is presented in a distinctive dimpled and rounded square bottle, often packaged in a gold cardboard box. The blend is primarily based on whiskies from Cragganmore, with Glendullan playing a significant role since World War II. Production initially took place at Diageo's Kilmarnock plant until its closure in 2012; currently, bottling occurs at Diageo's complex in Leven, Fife.

In recent years, Old Parr has maintained its status as one of the top-selling Scotch whisky brands globally, with over 1 million cases sold annually as of 2011.