Speaking on the name change, Temitope Adenle, Brand Manager, Mr. Dowell’s No.1, said, the new name was the overwhelming favourite of Nigerians who joined in a unique social media campaign for a name change which lasted for two weeks.
McDowell’s is an Indian whisky, whose origins are widely known within India. However, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), which monitors the Scotch whisky category and maintains that only whisky made in Scotland and under certain guidelines can be called Scotch argued that outside of India, many consumers mistakenly assume they are Scotch Whiskys because of their name and reference to Scotland. Diageo would be allowed to keep the brand name in India.
McDowell’s became part of Diageo when the later acquired United Spirits Limited (USL), the Indian manufacturer in 2014.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and Diageo reached an agreement in 2016 to change the name from McDowell’s No. 1 to another name within a period of transition.
Guinness Nigeria acquired the distribution rights to McDowell’s No. 1in Nigeria in December 2015.
“In addition to the fact that the name was the overwhelming choice of our consumers, we are particularly pleased that we have a new name that rolls off the tongue as smoothly as Nigeria’s no. 1 whisky,” said Ms. Adenle.
“Mr. Dowell’s will continue to sit proudly at tables where friends gather, strengthening bonds of true friendship.
“Our friends can be rest assured that Mr. Dowell’s may be a new name but the spirit remains the same. It is the Spirit of True Friendship”.
Mr. Dowell’s is sold in many countries outside India, with Nigeria being its largest export market.