The Sleeping Beauty cask of Royal Lochnagar whisky

Auctioned by Whisky Auctioneer online for a combined total of £210,296

This unique cask of Royal Lochnagar whisky was laid down in 1994, with Scottish artist Norman Edgar being commissioned to paint the cask end with a depiction of Scottish Ballet principal dancer Nicci Theis in the leading role of Princess Aurora. Standing as a symbol of a 26-year investment in the future of Scottish Ballet – Scotland’s national dance company – it was finally ‘awakened’ and bottled as part of Diageo’s prestigious Casks of Distinction range. All 470 bottles were snapped up by whisky lovers and ballet fans, with the first bottle (which was accompanied by the original cask end painting of The Sleeping Beauty) fetching £22,500.