This firm of traditional Glasgow blenders and bottlers first caught the eye of John Walker and Sons Limited in 1898 and eventually the latter achieved a controlling position in 1911. The main attraction was the company's prominence in the export field. As far back as 1856 Thomas H Slater and Co could boast customers in Australia, India, South Africa, South America, the West Indies, Canada and the United States. By 1886 it had established a continental agency looking after their European interests and were by then shipping to 45 different countries and territories. By 1888 the number of markets had expanded to 70. However, the company's origins went back to 1834 when Thomas H Slater set up as a grocer and tea dealer in Glasgow eventually becoming, in 1852, Thomas H Slater and Co. In 1865 George Smeaton Rodger became a partner and so Slater, Rodger and Co was formed in 1873 becoming a limited liability company in 1885.

As a subsidiary of John Walker and Sons, the company became part of the DCL empire and, as such, had for many years the licence for Banff Distillery

 In terms of brands, Thistle was for the UK market and all the others were for export and included, as well as the Huntly range, Begbie’s, Club, Duncraig, High Life, Kylemore, Lairdshall, Lord Douglas, Rodger’s Old Scots, Rodger’s Special and Scots Own.

Like so many of DCL’s secondary brands and minor trading companies, these were dissolved under the Diageo brand assimilation policy, with Slater, Rodger & Company Limited disappearing after 139 years of successful trading.