To mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on February 6, 2012, Diageo‘s John Walker & Sons, Scotch Whisky Distillers By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, is to produce a limited edition of 60 crystal decanters of ‘Diamond Jubilee Blended Scotch Whisky by John Walker & Sons’. The unique blend of whiskies distilled in 1952, the year when The Queen acceded to the Throne. The decanters will be finished in a marrying cask of English oak from The Queen’s Sandringham Estate.

These rare editions will be available by invitation only, for private sale at £100,000 each. John Walker & Sons will donate all profits from the sale, with a guarantee of at least £1million, to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association. This will support the QEST Diamond Jubilee Appeal, through which it aims to grow its scholarship base, build a mentoring program and enable traditional craftsmanship to flourish in Britain.

Some of the finest craftsmen and women, including fellow Royal Warrant Holders and QEST Scholars, were invited to create bespoke pieces to accompany the whisky. ‘Diamond Jubilee Blended Scotch Whisky by John Walker & Sons’ will be presented in a lead crystal decanter embellished with a Britannia silver collar that features a half carat diamond set by hand, and an individually numbered silver seal. This will be accompanied by a pair of hand-engraved lead crystal glasses and a leather bound, personalised, hand-embellished artefact book, all housed in a bespoke cabinet incorporating woods from The Queen’s Sandringham and Balmoral estates.

Jim Beveridge, Master Blender for John Walker & Sons said: «These are extraordinary grain and malt whiskies that have been maturing slowly since 1952. It’s a huge privilege to work with them using all our resources and experience to craft a John Walker & Sons blend that’s fitting for this special anniversary. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.»