Glenfiddich 1936 Peter J Russell
Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.
This is a spectacular example of one of the distillery's early single malts, bottled here especially for Peter J. Russell & Co in Edinburgh. This bottle appeared as the company was making a bigger play in the whisky market, acquiring Ian Macleod & Co around the same time. Along with their other subsidiary, William Maxwell & Co, they bottled a swathe of well-regarded independent releases in the 20th century, before the Peter J Russel company was rebranded as Ian Macleod Distillers in 2003, as they fulfilled their long-time ambition of owning a distillery by buying Glengoyne from Edrington.
This bottle likely comprises part of a wider promotional push in the year 1969 to cement the Glenfiddich single malt brand, which also saw it become the first available in duty free airport retail, and a visitor centre opened at the distillery. With brand protection in full swing, the distillery did not provide these to the Edinburgh firm in the trademark triangular glass introduced earlier in the decade, but the presentation is reminiscent of the the former style, with heavy metal capped stopper and foil capsule.
Pre-war vintages in single malt are exceptionally rare, particularly from distilleries like Glenfiddich. This is a real opportunity to own a true piece of whisky history.
We would recommend viewing/close inspection prior to placing any bids. If this is not an option and you have questions beyond the offered description and images, please contact us for a more in-depth condition report. Otherwise lots will be sold as seen in the images.
Please note: Due to the various ages of bottles and their seals, condition of liquid is at the buyer's discretion and no claim can be lodged against failure/leakage in transit.