This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Janet Sheed Roberts dies
The grand-daughter of William Grant and Scotland’s oldest lady has died aged 110.
Janet Sheed Roberts died peacefully last week at her home. She was the last surviving grand-daughter of William Grant and lived near the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown.
Eleven bottles of 55-year-old Glenfiddich dubbed the “Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve” were released last year to celebrate her 110th birthday.
All 11 are to be sold for charity around the world and those sold so far instantly set new records for Scotch at auction.
The first was sold by Bonhams last December and fetched £46,850 and another in February of this year in aid of Walking with the Wounded, raised £44,000.
The third, sold in New York on 15 March, set a new benchmark when it was sold for US$94,000 (£52,252) – the most expensive Scotch whisky ever sold at auction (followed by its sister bottles sold in London).
“We have lost an incredible woman,” said Peter Gordon, Glenfiddich chairman and great-nephew of Roberts.
“My great aunt’s contributions to the business, and support for the family members who did so much to make the company the success it is today, were immeasurable.
“She lived a remarkable life and witnessed great change at the Glenfiddich distillery over the past 110 years and she will be sadly missed by all of us.”
Roberts was born in 1901 in Moray and was the only woman in her class when she studied at Glasgow and Edinburgh universities.
She played hockey and at one mixed match while at university her opposite number was the future Olympic runner Eric Liddel.