sold by Hudson's Bay Distillers

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The HBC used to have a full line of spirits - scotch, rye, brandy, rum, and gin. Of these the best known was probably the scotch, which was marketed under the name "Best Procurable". At one point HBC owned about 25% of the famous Glenlivet distillery in Scotland. Liquor was one of the major pillars of the wholesale division, a part of HBC business which included tea and coffee, cigarettes and tobacco, and confectionery. HBC sold these items not only in their stores and fur trade posts, but also to other 3rd party retailers who carried the stock in outlets and small town general stores across the country. Hudson's Bay Co., Inc. was the U.S. wholesale subsidiary selling to the American market.

The recession of the 1980s caused HBC to re-examine all its business which was very diversified at that point. It was decided that non-core businesses would be disposed of. The liquor business was one of these. In 1987 Hudson's Bay Distillers was sold to Seagram's. As a result, HBC spirits became unavailable in Canada. However, Hudson's Bay Company Blended Scotch Whiskey continues to be sold in the U.S.

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