Seagram is one of the most storied names in the history of spirits, with roots stretching back to 1857 when a distillery was established in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Joseph E. Seagram became a partner in 1869 and eventually took sole ownership, lending the company his name. Under the stewardship of the Bronfman family across three generations, Seagram grew into a global drinks empire, becoming the largest owner of spirits and wine brands in the world by the 1990s. At its peak, Seagram's portfolio was extraordinarily diverse, encompassing Canadian whiskies such as Crown Royal and Seagram's VO, as well as Scotch whisky through its incorporated division Seagram Distillers, established in 1936. The company also held iconic international brands including Martell Cognac and Absolut Vodka. This breadth made Seagram a dominant force across virtually every major spirits category on the global market. Seagram's reign came to an end in 2000 when the company was dissolved and its assets were split and sold. Diageo acquired key brands including Crown Royal and Captain Morgan, while Pernod Ricard absorbed other parts of the portfolio. Though the company no longer exists, its legacy endures through the brands it built and nurtured over more than 140 years of operation.