Without water, the palate is peppery and sweet with fresh fruit and honey. Fresh cut flowers and mint toffee come to mind. The palate is not as complex as the nose suggested. The Bell’s Special Reserve is a medium-bodied whisky. Adding water smooths the pepper notes and brings more sweetness and smoke.
Size- 70cl
Strength- 40%
Auction Expired
Item condition: New
Auction Expired because there were no bids
The Bell’s producer Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd was founded in 1798.
In 1851, Arthur Bell (1825–1900) began to blend various single malts together to create a more consistent blended whisky Arthur Bell was the first known whisky manufacturer to appoint a London agent, by at least 1863. Bell’s two sons joined the business in partnership in 1895. Arthur Kinmond (1868–1942) was appointed to manage the domestic market and Robert was appointed as head of the brand overseas.
By the 1880s, the company was focused on blended whisky. Arthur Bell died in 1900. In 1921, the partnership became a private company run by Arthur Kinmond after Robert retired to live as a country gentleman. The end of Prohibition in America created a surge in demand, which led Arthur Bell & Sons to acquire two distilleries in 1933: Blair Athol and Dufftown. In 1936, the Inchgower was also acquired.
The Bell brothers died in 1942 and the company accountant, William Govan Farquharson, became chairman of the company. He focused on advertising the brand more heavily. Bell’s became a public company in 1949. In 1954, Arthur Bell exported to 130 countries.
By 1970, Bell’s was the highest selling whisky in Scotland. In the early 1970s, Bell’s could not afford the advertising budget of the larger whisky distillers. Instead, it focused on the use of mixers with its product. This increased the product’s popularity with women, and Bell’s revenues rose by 800% between 1970 and 1979. In 1978, Bell’s became the UK’s highest selling whisky. Much of the credit for this expansion is given to the then managing director Raymond Miquel.
By 1980, the company had around 35 percent market share in the UK. Arthur Bell & Sons acquired Gleneagles Hotels in 1984.
In 1985, the company was acquired by Guiness for 518 million.
n 1987, Guinness combined the businesses of Arthur Bell & Sons and Distillers Company forming United Distillers.
In 1997, Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to create Diageo, the current owner of Arthur Bell & Sons.
Please ensure all research has been carried out before bidding. Once a bid has been placed it has been deemed that you are happy with the terms and conditions and no bids can be removed.
The highest bidder is at the end of the auction is due to pay full purchase price plus buyer’s premium and postage within 1 hour of the auction closing.
A buyer’s premium is applicable to all lots and will be set at 15% of purchase price.
sales@braveheartauctions.co.uk
0131 278 3565
All of our whisky is sourced from private collections and is sold by private sellers. As a result, the right to reject (section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act) does not apply.
Goods from private sellers do not have to be fault-free and photographs are taken of all lots in order to accurately represent each item sold at auction and show any faults or damage to the bottles and boxes. If you have any concerns or questions then please contact us using to contact form above.
Postage and packaging will be charged at £5.95 on each individual lot. Should you wish to insure your purchase then please contact us within 3 hours of the end of the auction. Insurance will be charged at 4% of the final sale price.
Due to the various ages of bottles and their seals no claim can be lodged against leakage in transit.