In the world of rare spirits, some releases transcend the bottle to become cultural icons. The Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw is one such creation—a fusion of lost distilling history and iconic photography, presented as a unique One of One bottling for Sotheby’s The Distillers’ auction.
This exceptional offering from William Grant & Sons’ ultra-rare reserves is drawn from a single cask of Ladyburn, a pioneering distillery that operated for less than a decade before closing in 1975. Its legacy exists only in the few remaining casks, making any expression profoundly scarce.
At 58 years old, this is the oldest Ladyburn ever bottled. But its significance extends far beyond age. The decanter is adorned with a rare, candid photograph of Marilyn Monroe, captured by her close friend and legendary photographer, Sam Shaw. The image, taken in September 1954, reveals an intimate, off-guard moment with the star, pre-dating the famous ‘skirt-blowing’ scenes from The Seven Year Itch.
This collaboration is a meeting of two vanguard spirits. In the 1960s, Ladyburn challenged whisky-making conventions with its industrial innovation. Simultaneously, Sam Shaw was redefining Hollywood photography with his spontaneous, unfiltered style that captured the true essence of his subjects.
The liquid within is as remarkable as the art that surrounds it. Distilled in 1966, it offers a rich, mouth-coating palate of stewed fruits, antique leather, and tobacco leaf, finishing velvety smooth and mellow.
The Details:
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Expression: SAM SHAW ‘MARILYN MONROE’ CASK 102092
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Age: 58 Years Old (Distilled 1966, Bottled 2025)
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Edition: One of One bottling
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Event: The Distillers’ One of One Auction 2025
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Profile: A dark mahogany, rich, silky single malt with a nose of linseed, liquorice and antique leather. Some soft vanilla toffee notes complimenting the sherry oakiness. Rich and mouth-coating with a silky texture. Layers of flavour are revealed over time; stewed fruits, green leafiness, tobacco leaf and aged leather. Slightly dry finish, velvety smooth and mellow.
- Auction: Sotheby’s, October 10th, 2025
