Rare bottle of whisky sells for £42,000

A rare bottle of Glenfiddich whisky has been auctioned for £42,000.

The 55-year-old single malt was created to honour Janet Sheed Roberts, granddaughter of William Grant, founder of the Glenfiddich Distillery.

Mrs Roberts celebrated her 110th birthday in August 2011 - the oldest woman in Scotland when she died in April this year.

Only 11 bottles of the whisky will be released to the public, one to celebrate each decade of her life.

The rare whisky, bought by the World Duty Free Group, comes in a hand-blown glass bottle with a bottle stopper pressed with Mrs Roberts's initials, encased in a leather box inspired by her leather travelling truck, with a deer horn toggle and lined with silk.

Artist Alison Watt OBE has created a limited edition signed print to accompany each bottle.
Money raised from the sale of bottle number 7 will go to the Lotus Flower Trust and help pay for the building of a school and home for children in Ramnagar, India.

Rita Greenwood, from William Grant and Sons, said she is "absolutely delighted" with the winning bid.

"It is, of course, extremely sad that Mrs Janet Sheed Roberts passed away in April of this year. However, these 11 bottles are a true legacy to her fantastic life and amazing spirit," she added.

"I am sure she would have been delighted at the incredible sums of money that these auctions have raised."

Sarah Branquinho, from World Duty Free Group, said: "This has been a wonderful and generous effort by William Grant & Sons. The children in Ramnagar will be eternally grateful."

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