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{{For|the special forces unit|VAT 69 Commando}}
{{unreferenced|date=June 2009}}
{{Short description|Trademarked blended Scotch whisky}}
]
'''Vat 69 whisky''' is a scotch ], produced by William Sanderson.


{{Infobox beverage
In 1882 William Sanderson prepared one hundred casks of blended whiskey and hired a panel of experts to taste them. The batch from the vat with number 69 was judged to be the best tasting one and the famous blend got its name. The whisky was at first bottled in port wine bottles.
| name = Vat 69
| image = ]
| caption = A bottle of Vat 69 whisky.
| type = ] ]
| abv = 40%
| proof =
| manufacturer = ]
| distributor =
| origin = ]
| introduced = 1882
| colour =
| flavour =
| ingredients =
| variants =
| related =
| website =
}}

'''Vat 69''' is a ] ] produced by ] in ]. It was created by William Sanderson & Son Limited<ref>{{cite web|title=Sanderson's|url=https://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/sandersons-whisky-distillery/|website=Master of Malt}}</ref> of ], Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Member's Principal Brands|url=http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/members-brands/brands/|website=Scotch Whisky Association}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
William Sanderson, born in ] in 1840, started an apprenticeship with a wine and spirituous liquors producer at the age of 13. In 1863, he already owned his own business and produced ] and whisky-mixtures. In 1880, his son William Mark joined the business. He convinced his father to bottle the different blends. Sanderson already bottled his liqueurs, but he did not like the idea of bottling whisky. His son was finally successful in convincing him. William Sanderson was born in ], Scotland on 27 January 1839.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.geni.com/people/William-Sanderson/286688566610003371 | title=William Mark Sanderson | website=Geni.com | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref> He started an ] with ] and ] producer Matthew Buchan at the age of 13.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.leithlocalhistorysociety.org.uk/businesses/william_sanderson.htm | title=William Sanderson & Son Ltd Distillers, Leith | website=Leith Local History Society | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref> By 1863, he already owned his own business producing liqueurs and ]. In 1880, his son William Mark joined the business and persuaded his father to bottle various blends of whisky.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/sandersons-whisky-distillery/ | title=Sanderson's | website=Master of Malt | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref>


The characteristic Vat 69 bottle with its bulbous neck was introduced to the market and was not changed for the next hundred years. In 1882, William Sanderson prepared one hundred ] of ] and hired a panel of experts to taste them. The batch from the cask (or “vat”) with number 69 was judged to be the best, and this provided the whisky's ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/vat-69-blended-scotch-whisky/ | title=VAT 69 Blended Scotch Whisky | website=Master of Malt | access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref> The whisky was at first bottled in ] bottles. In 1884, Sanderson bought the ] which was situated in the middle of a ] field. The ] was meant to ensure the delivery of grain whisky.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=DK |title=World Whisky: A Nation-by-Nation Guide to the Best |publisher=DK Publishing |year=2009 |pages=178}}</ref>
⚫ The typical VAT 69 bottle was introduced to the market and was not changed for the next hundred years. In 1884, Sanderson bought the Glengarioch Distillery. It was situated in the middle of a ] field. The distillery was meant to ensure the delivery with grain-whisky. Sanderson took care that there were always new products to be blended, because DCL, which was a strong society at that time, controlled such a big amount of the production, that it could influence the supply of the competing company very sensitively. Therefore Sanderson, together with Usher and Bell founded a company to produce grain-whisky, which still exists today as the "North British Distillery". Sanderson got a few Malt Whiskies that he needed to blend his VAT 69 from a friend, John Begg, who owned the "Royal Lochnagar Distillery". When Begg died, Sanderson became director of Begg's Distillery. In 1933, Sanderson's company merged with Booth's Distilleries, which merged again with the DCL-Group in 1935. In autumn 1980, "Vat 69 Reserve" from the House of Sanderson had its world-première in England. Chosen and optimal stored malt whiskies are used to produce this De-Luxe-Whisky.

⚫ Sanderson took care that there were always new products to be blended, because ], which was a strong society at that time, controlled such a large amount of the production that it had a huge influence on the supply of the competing company.<ref>{{Cite book |last=MacLean |first=Charles |title=Great Whiskies |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |year=2011}}</ref> For this reason Sanderson, together with Usher and Bell, founded a company to produce ], which still exists today as the ]. Sanderson sourced a few ] used to blend Vat 69 from a friend, John Begg, who owned the ]. When Begg died, Sanderson became director of Begg's distillery. In 1933, Sanderson's company merged with Booth's Distilleries, which merged again with the DCL group in 1935.<ref>{{Cite book |last=MacLean |first=Charles |title=Great Whiskies |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |year=2011}}</ref>

In autumn 1980, "Vat 69 Reserve" from the House of Sanderson had its world première in England.


==Blend== ==Blend==
]
Despite the name it is not a ] but a blend of about 40 malt and grain whiskies. The different malts are blended with each other at the optimal ripening stage to ensure the best blend. This means that a light malt of eight years, having reached its ripening summit and coming from the Lowlands adds the same result to the blend as an 18-year-ripened peat malt from Islay. Therefore, there are no standardised, age-descriptions of Vat 69 Reserve.
Despite its name, it is not a ], but a blend of about 40 ] and ]. Vat 69 Reserve carries no standard age statement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vat 69 {{!}} Scotch Whisky |url=https://scotchwhisky.com/whiskypedia/2547/vat-69/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=scotchwhisky.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>


==Media appearances==
Since autumn 1980, Glenesk, which is a 12 year old Highland Single Malt (40%), is available from Sanderson in Germany. Glenesk is stored for at least 12 years in sherry barrels. Since 1964, William Sanderson & Sons Ltd. overlooks the sale of "Antiquary", which is a 12 year old De-Luxe-Scotch-Whisky (40%).
Enjoyed by General Frank Savage (played by ]) in '']'', a 1949 WWII film about the US Army Air Forces in England in 1943.


Vat 69 was the beverage of choice in the Preston household (] and ]) and also the mode of delivery for the titular poison in '']'' (1951).
==Products==
Whisky-products available from Sanderson in Germany are:
*VAT 69 Finest Scotch Whisky (40%)
*VAT 69 Reserve de Luxe Scotch Whisky (40%)
*Glenesk Single Malt Highland Scotch 12 Years Old (40%)
*The Antiquary de Luxe Old Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old (40%).


], an American ] army officer who is a major figure in the 1992 non-fiction book '']'' by ] and the award-winning 2001 ] ] made from it, is portrayed as an enthusiastic drinker who went to great lengths to obtain supplies of Vat 69.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Dick |last1=Winters |first2=Cole C. |last2=Kingseed |name-list-style=amp |date=2006 |title=Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters |location=New York City |publisher=] |pages=275–277 |isbn=978-0-425-20813-7}}</ref>
Whisky-products available from Sanderson in Australia are:
*700 mL Vat 69 Fine Scotch Whisky (40%)


], a fictional character created by pulp magazine, radio and TV writer ], kept a ready supply of Vat 69 in his apartment, and had remarkably good luck finding a bottle at most of the murder scenes he investigated.
==In popular culture==
* In ]'s novel '']'', Gerber tells Francoise "When I'm rich and run my own house, I'll always keep a bottle of Vat 69 in my cupboard."
* Vat 69 was ]'s favorite liquor in the book and mini-series '']''. Nixon went to great pains to obtain it, and to avoid having it confiscated, he used the footlocker of his tee-totalling friend ] to store his stash.
*In the 1949 World War II film '']'', Gregory Peck drinks Vat 69.
*Vat 69 was the favorite drink of ]'s cohort, ].
*In the film '']'' one of James Wormold's agents is found killed with a bottle of Vat 69 in his hand. It was a present for James who collected miniature whisky bottles.
*In the Italian film ] ("Horse fever"), the protagonist records a commercial for Vat 69.
*In 1914 Sir ] took supplies of Vat 69 on his ], stating that it would be used for medicinal and celebratory purposes.
* Nickname of the Royal Malaysian Police 69th Commando Battalion.
* Osbie Feel in ]'s '']'' "sucks frequently" at a half pint milk bottle filed with Vat 69 and water.
* In '']'' Don Cheadle's character gives Vat 69 to an African General when there is no ] left.
⚫ * In '']'', Penny Priddy attributes her sadness to " up a little too much Vat 69…"
* Vat 69 is often the drink of choice of protagonists in ] pulp fiction novels.
* Vat 69 is the preferred drink of Joseph Burke, the main character in ]'s novel ''Double Play''.
* Vat 69 appeared in British comedy Fawlty Towers".


⚫ In '']'', ] character Penny Priddy says "I guess I just soaked up a bit too much Vat 69 here." while clutching the bottle and crying at a cocktail table.
⚫ ==References==
{{unreferenced}}
{{reflist}}


In a '']'' scene where crooks are held up in a store and "request" a car, Harry decides to give them one. Upon exiting the car once inside, on a wall can be seen, "VAT 69 Gold" appearing on a yellow sign in a stencil font.
⚫ {{British Royal Warrant holders}}


Towards the end of the final episode of '']'', three journalists are seen sharing a bottle of Vat 69 in their newspaper office.
⚫ ]


A bottle of VAT 69 can be seen during a scene in "Women Haters" (1934), the first short by ] during their time working for Columbia Pictures.
]

]
Jason Taverner buys a fifth of Vat 69 in Philip K. Dick’s novel, Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said.

In a scene of the 1976 Italian movie '']'', one of the main characters is involved in recording a spot for the Vat 69, despite his inability to remember the proper line.

It was an old joke that "Vat 69" was the pope's phone number (i.e., Vatican extension 69).

In the 1959 film ], protagonist Jim Wormold is asked to identify the body of his friend Dr Hasselbacher, lying prone on a bar floor holding a Vat 69 miniature, presumed intended as a gift for Jim's collection.

Actors Frankie Miller (Jake McQuillen) and Ken Hutchison (Dancer Dunnichy) can be seen swigging from a bottle of VAT 69 when the latter turns up at the former's workplace to drag him away for a drink in Peter McDougall's acclaimed BBC Play for Today drama Just A Boys' Game (1979).

⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}{{Diageo plc}}{{British Royal Warrant holders}}
]
]
⚫ ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 03:57, 2 December 2024

For the special forces unit, see VAT 69 Commando. Trademarked blended Scotch whisky
Vat 69
A bottle of Vat 69 whisky.
TypeBlended Scotch whisky
ManufacturerDiageo
Country of origin Scotland
Introduced1882
Alcohol by volume 40%

Vat 69 is a blended Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. It was created by William Sanderson & Son Limited of South Queensferry, Scotland.

History

William Sanderson was born in Leith, Scotland on 27 January 1839. He started an apprenticeship with wine and spirituous liquors producer Matthew Buchan at the age of 13. By 1863, he already owned his own business producing liqueurs and whisky blends. In 1880, his son William Mark joined the business and persuaded his father to bottle various blends of whisky.

The characteristic Vat 69 bottle with its bulbous neck was introduced to the market and was not changed for the next hundred years. In 1882, William Sanderson prepared one hundred casks of blended whisky and hired a panel of experts to taste them. The batch from the cask (or “vat”) with number 69 was judged to be the best, and this provided the whisky's brand name. The whisky was at first bottled in port bottles. In 1884, Sanderson bought the Glen Garioch distillery which was situated in the middle of a barley field. The distillery was meant to ensure the delivery of grain whisky.

Sanderson took care that there were always new products to be blended, because DCL, which was a strong society at that time, controlled such a large amount of the production that it had a huge influence on the supply of the competing company. For this reason Sanderson, together with Usher and Bell, founded a company to produce grain whisky, which still exists today as the North British Distillery. Sanderson sourced a few malt whiskies used to blend Vat 69 from a friend, John Begg, who owned the Royal Lochnagar distillery. When Begg died, Sanderson became director of Begg's distillery. In 1933, Sanderson's company merged with Booth's Distilleries, which merged again with the DCL group in 1935.

In autumn 1980, "Vat 69 Reserve" from the House of Sanderson had its world première in England.

Blend

Vat 69 production in 1972.

Despite its name, it is not a vatted malt, but a blend of about 40 malt and grain whiskies. Vat 69 Reserve carries no standard age statement.

Media appearances

Enjoyed by General Frank Savage (played by Gregory Peck) in Twelve O'Clock High, a 1949 WWII film about the US Army Air Forces in England in 1943.

Vat 69 was the beverage of choice in the Preston household (Bette Davis and Gary Merrill) and also the mode of delivery for the titular poison in Another Man's Poison (1951).

Captain Lewis Nixon, an American World War II army officer who is a major figure in the 1992 non-fiction book Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose and the award-winning 2001 HBO miniseries made from it, is portrayed as an enthusiastic drinker who went to great lengths to obtain supplies of Vat 69.

Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective, a fictional character created by pulp magazine, radio and TV writer Robert Leslie Bellem, kept a ready supply of Vat 69 in his apartment, and had remarkably good luck finding a bottle at most of the murder scenes he investigated.

In The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, Ellen Barkin character Penny Priddy says "I guess I just soaked up a bit too much Vat 69 here." while clutching the bottle and crying at a cocktail table.

In a Dirty Harry scene where crooks are held up in a store and "request" a car, Harry decides to give them one. Upon exiting the car once inside, on a wall can be seen, "VAT 69 Gold" appearing on a yellow sign in a stencil font.

Towards the end of the final episode of The Field of Blood (TV series), three journalists are seen sharing a bottle of Vat 69 in their newspaper office.

A bottle of VAT 69 can be seen during a scene in "Women Haters" (1934), the first short by The Three Stooges during their time working for Columbia Pictures.

Jason Taverner buys a fifth of Vat 69 in Philip K. Dick’s novel, Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said.

In a scene of the 1976 Italian movie Febbre da cavallo, one of the main characters is involved in recording a spot for the Vat 69, despite his inability to remember the proper line.

It was an old joke that "Vat 69" was the pope's phone number (i.e., Vatican extension 69).

In the 1959 film Our Man In Havana, protagonist Jim Wormold is asked to identify the body of his friend Dr Hasselbacher, lying prone on a bar floor holding a Vat 69 miniature, presumed intended as a gift for Jim's collection.

Actors Frankie Miller (Jake McQuillen) and Ken Hutchison (Dancer Dunnichy) can be seen swigging from a bottle of VAT 69 when the latter turns up at the former's workplace to drag him away for a drink in Peter McDougall's acclaimed BBC Play for Today drama Just A Boys' Game (1979).

References

  1. "Sanderson's". Master of Malt.
  2. "Member's Principal Brands". Scotch Whisky Association.
  3. "William Mark Sanderson". Geni.com. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  4. "William Sanderson & Son Ltd Distillers, Leith". Leith Local History Society. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  5. "Sanderson's". Master of Malt. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  6. "VAT 69 Blended Scotch Whisky". Master of Malt. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  7. DK (2009). World Whisky: A Nation-by-Nation Guide to the Best. DK Publishing. p. 178.
  8. MacLean, Charles (2011). Great Whiskies. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  9. MacLean, Charles (2011). Great Whiskies. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  10. "Vat 69 | Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  11. Winters, Dick & Kingseed, Cole C. (2006). Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters. New York City: Berkley Caliber. pp. 275–277. ISBN 978-0-425-20813-7.
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