As per the reports, this accidental discovery was made at Blair Castle in Perthshire, Scotland, where a collection of whiskey bottles, believed to be distilled over 180 years ago, has been found. Bertie Troughton, the resident trustee at Blair Castle, stumbled upon approximately 40 bottles in a nondescript cellar room in late 2022.
Blair Castle, with its origins dating back to 1269, stands in the heart of Atholl Estates and holds a rich history as the traditional seat of the Duke of Atholl. The castle hosted a young Queen Victoria in the mid-1800s, known for her friendship with the 6th Duchess of Atholl.
Records suggest whiskey consumption during her stay, hinting that the recently discovered whiskey might have been enjoyed by the Queen and her consort, Prince Albert.
Previously, the oldest-known whiskey, if we go by the Guinness World Records, was Baker's Pure Rye Whiskey from 1847. However, the Blair Castle discovery has surpassed this record. An online auction will likely take place in November, featuring 24 of these bottles, each estimated to fetch around 10,000 pounds.
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Whisky Auctioneer, based in Perth, will conduct the auction, considering it a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Reports suggest that the remaining bottles will be showcased in the palace for visitors.
The accidental unearthing of this exceptional whiskey collection adds a remarkable chapter to the history of Scotland's liquid gold.