🥃 Vat 69
Scottish blended whisky created in 1882 by William Sanderson in Leith; 40% ABV; owned by Diageo; a well-known historic brand.
Vat 69 is a Scottish blended whisky created in 1882 by the Leith blender William Sanderson. Today the brand belongs to Diageo through William Sanderson & Son. The basic version is 40% ABV and carries no age statement, and the legend of the name links it to the 69th vat out of about a hundred trial blends.
History. Sanderson started his business in 1863 in Leith. According to the legend, an expert panel chose the 69th sample out of a hundred trial blends, and it became the basis of the blend; sources call this a tale, not a documented fact. In 1885 the company helped found the North British grain distillery in Edinburgh to counter the influence of Distillers Company. In 1935 it merged with Booth's, and in 1937 it was taken over by DCL. After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 the whisky became popular in the USA. In 1969 production moved to South Queensferry, and the 12-year-old Reserve was released in 1980.
How it is made. According to Whiskypedia, the current blend contains about 40 malt and grain whiskies. At first the base was the smoky Highland Glen Garioch. The taste is described as light, with vanilla sweetness.
Why this matters to you. Vat 69 is a blend, not a "vatted malt": the name comes from a vat, not from a type of whisky. Do not take the legend of the 69th sample as a document. Check the version: Reserve is 12 years old, while the basic one has no age statement. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1882, William Sanderson (Leith); the company dates from 1863 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Blended Scotch Whisky) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | about 40 malt and grain whiskies |
| Cask type | oak casks; the type is not specified in our sources |
| Minimum maturation | from 3 years in oak by law; basic version has no age statement; Reserve is 12 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
How it connects to Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Blended Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Chivas Regal, 🥃 The Famous Grouse, 🥃 The Famous Grouse, 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 J&B, 🥃 J&B, 🥃 The Glenlivet, 🥃 The Glenlivet, 🥃 Glen Grant, 🥃 Glen Grant
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Vat 69 was picked as the 69th of 100 samples?
So the legend says, and Whiskypedia and Difford's Guide repeat it, but it is a tale, not a documented fact.
Who owns Vat 69?
Diageo, through William Sanderson & Son. Earlier Sanderson's firm merged with Booth's and then joined DCL, the predecessor of Diageo.
What is the strength of Vat 69?
40% ABV (80 proof) for the basic version.
Is Vat 69 a blend?
Yes. It is a blended Scotch of about 40 malt and grain whiskies, not a vatted malt.
What is Vat 69 Reserve?
A 12-year-old version released in 1980.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Scotch from a single distillery: only malted barley, water and copper pot stills; at least 3 years in oak, 40% vol. or more.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
Similar
🥃 Black & White · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Auchroisk · 🥃 Loch Lomond Distillery · 🥃 Glen Elgin · 🥃 Royal Lochnagar
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Vat 69 (1882; William Sanderson; 69th cask; South Queensferry 1969; Reserve 1980)
- Difford's Guide: VAT 69 Blended Scotch Whisky (Diageo, 40 %, Sanderson 1882)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): William Sanderson & Son (Leith 1863; North British; Booth's; DCL)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)