William Grant & Sons, one of the oldest independent family-owned whisky distilleries in the world, unveils Ladyburn Edition Three, completing the Ladyburn 1966 foundation triptych. Hidden from public eyes for nearly five decades, Edition Three brings to life a ‘lost-gem’ distillery through the work of era-defining design icon David Hicks while celebrating Ladyburn’s revolutionary role in Single Malt Whisky during this decade of cultural, social and technological change.
The Ladyburn distillery in Girvan, Ayrshire, was a marvel of industrial design when opened but only operated between 1966 and 1975, at which point it made a noble sacrifice to allow other distilleries in the Grant family to prosper. After its closure, it was dismantled forever, and no trace remains outside a very few precious casks maturing on the existing site.
To complete this highly coveted foundation triptych, Ladyburn Edition Three is a collaboration with the estate of pioneering interior designer David Hicks. His bold and disruptive designs perfectly embody the incredible creativity at the core of the Sixties. Each bottle in the release is paired with one of 11 evocative photographs of some of Hicks’s most iconic interiors. Personally selected by David’s son Ashley, he used Hicks’s iconic patterns in harmonising colours to complement each image. The bold scarlet frame surrounding each composite visual provides a signature golden thread across the collection.
The Ladyburn Edition Three / David Hicks release is strictly limited to 210 hand numbered bottles. The 11th ‘black swan’ bottle, featuring Hicks and his wife Lady Pamela ‘Dressed for Dinner’ with the iconic red door frame, is only available as part of ten full collections. All the featured interiors are gone forever and only survive in David’s prized scrapbooks.
The Ladyburn 1966 foundation triptych celebrates true hidden gems, uncovering unseen wonders of the 1960s. Partnering with three trailblazing creatives from this famed decade, each edition of Ladyburn is adorned with striking images that capture the mood and spirit of the Sixties. The Ladyburn Edition One collaboration with David Bailey was released in 2021, and Ladyburn Edition Two collaboration with Norman Parkinson was released in 2022.
Brian Kinsman, Malt Master at William Grant & Sons, hand selected this cask for its depth of character and flavour profile, making it the ideal choice for bottling Ladyburn Edition Three. He says: “The cask selected for the third release is an exceptionally unique whisky, reflecting over five and a half decades maturing in a single Sherry butt. Each sip adds new layers of complexity, harmonising intense sweetness and enthralling bitter accents with underlying oak. An unforgettable experience.”
“The unveiling of Ladyburn Edition Three represents a landmark moment for whisky collectors in Malaysia. As the final release in the Ladyburn 1966 foundation triptych, this extraordinary expression offers access to an irreplaceable piece of Scotch whisky history. Combining exceptional rarity, remarkable age and artistic collaboration, Ladyburn Edition Three embodies the qualities that collectors seek when building a lasting legacy. We are delighted to bring this exclusive showcase to Kuala Lumpur and share the story of this iconic ‘ghost distillery’ with Malaysia’s whisky community.” said Madeline Ng, Malaysia Brand Ambassador for William Grant & Sons.
William Grant & Sons Private Clients business is anchored in authenticity, generations of care, and custodianship of some of the oldest and finest whisky expressions. It curates unique whiskies that celebrate heritage and can create a legacy. Ladyburn Edition Three allows collectors to own either a single bottle or an entire collection.
Collectors in Malaysia are invited to experience Ladyburn Edition Three / David Hicks at an exclusive private showcase from 9 – 10 June.
For further information about William Grant & Sons Private Clients and Ladyburn 1966 collections, please contact Joe Tan at [email protected].