Description
A partial bottle of Vat 69 whisky. | |
Type | Scotch blended whisky |
---|---|
Manufacturer | William Sanderson & Son Limited |
Distributor | Diageo |
Country of origin | Scotland |
Introduced | 1882 |
Vat 69 is a Scotch blended whisky created by William Sanderson & Son Limited[1] of South Queensferry, Scotland, now part of Diageo.
Despite its name, it is not a vatted malt, but a blend of about 40 malt and grain whiskies. Vat 69 Reserve carries no standard age statement because of the combination of the malts and grains.[7]
Since autumn 1980, Glenesk, which is a 12-year-old Highland Single Malt (40%), is available from Sanderson in Germany. Glenesk is stored for at least 12 years in sherry barrels. Since 1964, William Sanderson & Sons Ltd. has produced “Antiquary”, which is a 12-year-old De-Luxe-Scotch-Whisky (40%).
VAT 69 is a famous old brand of blended whisky, chosen by Sir Ernest Shackleton to accompany him on his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914 ‘for medicinal and celebratory purposes’, and also famously the favourite whisky of Captain Lewis Nixon of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, immortalised in the book and TV series Band of Brothers. Vat 69 was the top sample. The dark port style bottle and labeling were also chosen, this has now changed to a more modern style.