February 6, 1952 marked the ascent to the throne for Queen Elizabeth II.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession, John Walker & Sons, Scotch Whiskey Distillers, by appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, celebrated the occasion with the bottling of Diamond Jubilee By John Walker & Sons. This is a specially crafted blend of rare malt and grain Scotch Whiskies distilled in and maturing since 1952.
At Royal Lochnagar Distillery, on the edge of Her Majesty The Queen’s Balmoral Estate, David Gates, Grantee of John Walker & Sons’ Royal Warrant, filled the the Queen’s decanter, as well as 60 further editions for sale around the world. Profits from the sale of these editions are being donated to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).
Said Gates about the event: “John Walker & Sons was first awarded a Royal Warrant in 1934 by King George V. We are extremely honored that the quality of our whiskies is recognized by this symbol and our commitment to this caliber of quality and service is unwavering. Today in 2012, we are privileged to be able to celebrate The Queen’s remarkable achievement with this fitting tribute, Diamond Jubilee by John Walker & Sons, the sales of which will help to create an enduring legacy for the supreme craftsmanship that it represents.”
John Walker & Sons harnessed the skills of more than 60 fine artisans, including fellow Royal Warrant Holders and QEST Scholars, who created bespoke pieces to present and accompany the whiskey.
The diamond shaped Baccarat crystal decanters stand on a crystal base with six radial legs to reflect the decades of the Queen’s enduring reign, and are adorned with Britannia silver, selected for its purity. Leading Scottish silversmiths, Hamilton & Inches, has fashioned the collars set with a half-carat diamond, the Royal Arms, John Walker & Sons monogram and individually numbered seals.
Each edition includes a pair of lead Cumbria Crystal glasses engraved by Philip Lawson Johnston and a commemorative artifact book, hand bound by Laura West at her Isle of Skye bindery and personalized for each owner by Sally Mangum, Calligrapher By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen. All the elements will be housed in a chest made by the cabinet makers at N.E.J. Stevenson, incorporating oak from Sandringham to echo the whisky marrying casks and Caledonian pine from The Queen’s Balmoral Estate.