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UK. World Duty Free Group has made the biggest single transaction for a whisky in UK travel retail, with the sale of the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve for £45,000 at its Edinburgh Airport store.
The retailer originally bought the bottle at a charity auction in May last year with a winning bid of £42,000. It then went on sale at the Edinburgh store in December.
The bottle was sold on 12 April, with a Mr Van Den Brink from the Netherlands purchasing the 55-year-old single malt, created to honour Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of Glenfiddich Distillery founder William Grant.
World Duty Free Group UK Buying Manger for Liquor Nigel Sandals said: “We are delighted to have sold this exceptional and rare bottle of Whisky in Edinburgh Airport today. The money generated will support a fantastic cause – Lotus Flower Trust.
“Edinburgh Airport created a great opportunity for us to present the product on concourse which generated awareness for both the whisky and the charity. As you can imagine Edinburgh drives a significant proportion of our malt whisky business within UK airports.
“The specialist whisky team have developed strong relationships with many enthusiasts and collectors who travel through the airport and Mr Van Den Brink was one of those to step forward and make this unique purchase”.
As previously reported, just 11 bottles of the Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve were released to celebrate each decade of her life and honour her legacy. Roberts passed away in April 2012, having lived to the age of 110.
Each of the 11 bottles was auctioned for the benefit of various charities around the world, with Women in Travel and their chosen charity, Lotus Flower Trust, the beneficiaries of Bottle No. 7. World Duty Free Group placed the winning bid.
Women in Travel founding member Sarah Branquinho said: “The sale of Bottle No.7 has truly changed the lives of 80 children, who now live at and attend the Janet Sheed Roberts Residential School. Thanks to the generosity of the duty free and travel retail industry, they are all making fantastic progress and a picture of Mrs Roberts has pride of place in the foyer of their new school and home”.
Mr Van Den Brink was flown to Edinburgh Airport as a VIP guest of the airport and the store to make his purchase. He was also presented with a specially-produced book by The Lotus Flower Trust, showing how the proceeds have already helped to pay for the construction of a school and home for physically and mentally disadvantaged children in Ramnagar, India.
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Mr Van Den Brink (centre) purchased the bottle last week in Edinburgh |
Edinburgh Airport Chief Commercial Officer John Watson said: “It was great to see the sale of the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve at Edinburgh Airport. I am especially pleased that the money raised will help such a worthy charity.
“Our selection of malt whisky is one of the finest in the world, offering something for everyone and we will continue to work with our friends at World Duty Free Group to give our passengers the best choice and experience possible.”
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The bottle went on sale at the Edinburgh store in December |
