Glenfiddich releases one of its rarest-ever single malt Scotch – the Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve - Exclusive commemorates 110th birthday of distillery founder William Grant’s granddaughter -

GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY, , SCOTLAND: Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt , today announced the launch of one of its rarest-ever whiskies, the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve.

The 55 year old single malt Scotch whisky honours Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of William Grant – founder of the Glenfiddich distillery – who celebrated her 110th birthday in August 2011 and is the oldest living person in Scotland. Only 11 bottles of the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve will ever be released to the public, one to celebrate each decade of her life.*

The first bottle will be sold at the prestigious Bonhams whisky auction in Edinburgh on 14th December, with proceeds going to international charity WaterAid. As the only distillery to use a single source of water – the Robbie Dhu spring - throughout the distilling process, Glenfiddich has partnered with a charity which seeks to ensure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation.

In 2012, whisky aficionados should keep an eye out for news on availability at premium locations in the USA, UK, Taiwan, Canada, Russia, China, India and Global Travel Retail.

Peter Gordon, Glenfiddich chairman and great-nephew of Janet Roberts, commented; “The Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve is one of the rarest whiskies Glenfiddich has ever released and a real part of my family’s history. My great-aunt has witnessed great change at the Glenfiddich distillery over the past 110 years, so it seems fitting to honour her remarkable life in this way.”

Martin Green, of Bonhams Edinburgh, said: “It’s not often a whisky of this stature comes up at auction. The rarity and quality of the liquid, the exquisite bespoke packaging and the story behind its creation makes this a collectible that is hard to value. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve reaches in excess of £30,000 at auction”.

The Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve is an exceptional 55 year old single malt Scotch whisky, with stunning packaging inspired by some of Janet Roberts’ favourite personal items and carefully and intricately designed by some of the country’s finest craftspeople:  Brodie Nairn of Glasstorm, carefully created the hand-blown bottles  Fattorini’s individually hand pressed each bottle stopper with Janet Roberts’ initials, monogrammed in gold on an aquamarine Cloisonné medallion  Inspired by Janet Roberts’ leather travel trunk, the hand-blown bottle is encased in a luxurious leather box fabricated by Geoffrey Parker Games, complete with a Scottish deer horn toggle and lined with a bespoke patterned silk.

William Grant & Sons Ltd Independence House, 84 Lower Mortlake Road Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2HS telephone +44 (0) 208 332 1188 facsimile +44 (0) 208 332 1695 In addition, Alison Watt OBE – who, in 2006 was appointed Associate Artist to The National Gallery in London and participated in Glenfiddich’s Artists in Residence programme – has painted an exclusive artwork to commemorate this special anniversary, a hand-made limited edition original print, signed by the artist to accompany each bottle.

Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, commented; “It is an honour to be one of four Malt Masters who have played a role in nurturing this remarkable whisky. Our third Malt Master Gordon Ross casked this spirit on New Year’s Eve 1955, it was then nosed up to ten times by his successor, Hamish Robertson. My predecessor David Stewart cared for it for another 35 years before I had the pleasure of bottling it. It is a truly special whisky and demonstrates our pioneering approach to whisky-making.”

The exquisite 55 year old single malt Scotch whisky is pale gold in colour, the hue of autumn barley. On the nose it is light and delicate with aromas of soft orange blossom and delicate violets intermingling with notes of toasted almonds and the subtlest whiff of smoke. A perfect harmony of fruit and floral aromas, it has a surprisingly light touch of oak, incredible for a whisky that has spent so long in European wood.

To taste, creamy vanilla and a gentle smokiness are beautifully counterbalanced with some sweeter oak notes. Immediately after tasting, the finish is slightly dry but grows with time to become extremely long, lively and sweet.

-ENDS-

For further information or photography, please contact:

Orla Moran PR for Glenfiddich +44 207 067 0413 [email protected]

Notes to the Editor:

* Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, was able to fill 15 bottles from cask 4222 – of which only 11 bottles of the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve will ever be released to the public.

About William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich • William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1886. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, and most recently, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

• William Grant & Sons has been named 2011’s ‘Distiller of the Year’ and ‘International Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Awards. The company has been awarded this highly sought- after title since 1999, having received distiller accolades from ISC and IWSC an unprecedented nine times in the last 12 years.

William Grant & Sons Ltd Independence House, 84 Lower Mortlake Road Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2HS telephone +44 (0) 208 332 1188 facsimile +44 (0) 208 332 1695

• Recent Glenfiddich Awards: - Gold Best in Class, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2011: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, Glenfiddich Rich Oak & Glenfiddich 40 Year Old - Gold, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2011: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, Glenfiddich 18 Year Old, Glenfiddich 21 Year Old & Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Silver Best in Class, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2011: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix - Silver, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2011: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery - Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside up to 18: Glenfiddich Rich Oak & Glenfiddich 15 Year Old - Silver, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside up to 25: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old & Glenfiddich Age of Discovery - Master, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside over 25: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old & Glenfiddich 40 Year Old - Master, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside special editions: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

• Click on www.glenfiddich.com for more information about Glenfiddich.

Bonhams Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals through two major salerooms in London - New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge - and a further three throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto in Canada; and in Switzerland, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (October 2011). For further Bonhams press information please contact Andrew Currie on 0207 468 5871 or [email protected] or [email protected]

WaterAid’s vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. The international organisation works in 26 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific region to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world’s poorest communities. Over the past 30 years, WaterAid has reached 15.9 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 11 million people with sanitation. For more information, visit www.wateraid.org , follow @wateraid on Twitter or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraid

William Grant & Sons Ltd Independence House, 84 Lower Mortlake Road Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2HS telephone +44 (0) 208 332 1188 facsimile +44 (0) 208 332 1695