Memorial services for Glenfiddich's Charles Gordon
Charles Gordon, the doyen of the Scotch whisky industry, chairman and life president of his family firm, William Grant & Sons, will be remembered at two memorial services; one in New York on 18 February and one in his hometown Glasgow in Scotland on 21 February 2014.
He was the great-grandson of William Grant who founded the distillery in 1887. He died aged 86 on 21 December 2013.
Along with his brother Sandy, Charles - or Charlie as he was affectionately known - turned a small, family run company into one of the world's leading producers of Scotch whiskies including Glenfiddich and Grant's.
A large personality to his family, friends and to all those that he met in the course of his life, his warmth and charm as well as his unique perceptiveness and long-term vision led the company to the international recognition it enjoys today.
His passion and innovative nature led him to launch Glenfiddich internationally, which marked the beginning of the single malt category; he pushed the global development of the company's brands, whilst spearheading the acquisition of an American import house, the first in the industry, thus moving control of distribution and sale into company hands.
The company's chief executive, Stella David, said, "Charlie brought an incredible energy to his life's work. When one looks at the way he always maintained the integrity of our Scotch whiskies whilst at the same time innovating new brands such as Hendricks Gin and Reyka Vodka, it is easy to see why he was so highly regarded throughout the world.
"The commemorative services in New York and Glasgow were a celebration of long and fruitful life and of a man who contributed so much to the global spirits industry."
