Herbertsons traces its beginnings to an Englishman, Herbert, who established a trading business in 1913. It was incorporated as a private limited company in Sep.'36. The company initially imported and distributed liquor and food items. It then extended its activities to the launch and distribution of a wide range of consumer products like Woodward's gripe water, Kissan's processed foods, Kingfisher beer, Beehive brandy and Flit insecticides. In 1969, D & P Products Pvt Ltd was amalgamated with Herbertsons. D & P has a factory at Bhandup, Bombay, manufacturing a range of processed foods. The company's food products are sold under the Dippy's brand. 

In 1973, the company became a subsidiary of the UB group. The company in 1974, launched its own brand of liquor, Honey Bee brandy, followed by Bagpiper whisky in 1976. Bagpiper whisky, is today, the largest-selling whisky in India. The company's product portfolio grew rapidly to encompass a range of whiskies as well as rum, brandy, gin and vodka. In 1991, UB-Mec Batteries was amalgamated with the company with retrospective effect from Jul.'88. The energy products division sells batteries in both the domestic and international markets. The company went public in Feb.'92 to part-finance its expansion as well as to generate long-term resources. The FOB value of goods exported through export houses during 1995-96 was Rs 20.60 lac.

During the year 1998-1999, Bagpiper Whisky registered its highest ever sales volume at 5.7 million cases making it the third largest selling whisky in the world apart from being the largest spirits brand in the country. Romanav Vodka was the first vodka brand to cross a sale of 100,000 cases recording a whopping 30% growth in volume.