Bells Decanters

Arthur Bell was born in 1825 and began his quest in the late 1940's, when he worked as a traveller for James Roy, the owner of a wine and spirit business in Kirkside, Perth. The shop sold wine, spirits, black beer and even tea. It wasn't until 1951 that Arthur became Roy's partner in the business and finally in 1870 Arthur Bell became an independent trader. The 1990 decanter labeled ‘Extra special' depicts the art of distilling, with an image of Blair Athol distillery on the decanter.

In 1895 Arthur Bell's two sons, Arthur Kinmond and Robert Duff Bell joined the team. Arthur was responsible for the domestic market, whereas Robert responsible for overseas. Arthur Bell founder died in 1900 and the boys continued their partnership until 1921, when Robert retired. Arthur Kinmond, also known as ‘A.k' continued as a sole trader until his death in 1942. The 1993 Decanter celebrates the art of Distilling, with the roll of the Malt man. From selecting the plump, spreading and turning ...

The company was run by the company accountant, William Govan Farquharson from 1942 to 1949, when finally Bell's became a public company. By 1970, Bells was the highest selling whisky in Scotland and in 1975 celebrated the 150th Birthday of the late Arthur Bell, founder. The 1994 decanter celebrates the art of distilling with the roll of the blender. The decanter makes reference to master blender ‘Ian Grieve' who plays out the roll, just like Arthur Bell nearly 180 years before.

After the end of prohibition in 1933, Arthur Bell's whisky went from strength to strength. In the same year Arthur Bell's & Sons acquired two distilleries, Blair Athol and Dufftown-Glenlivet and then in 1936 Inchgower distillery was purchased. The 1995 decanter celebrates the art of distilling and the role played by the cellar man over an eight year period, monitoring the progress and regularly taking samples, checking on the development. Only when the whisky is judged to have reached optimum maturity ...

The Pittyvaich distillery was built in 1974, near Dufftown distillery/speyside in Dufftown, by Arthur Bell & Sons. Originally built to provide malt whisky blends, Pittyvaich eventually released an official bottling in 1991, only to be closed in 1993. Eventually the distillery was demolished in 2002 by Diageo. The 1996 decanter depicts the quality of malted barley and grain used in the production and the fact each have been matured for up to 8 years.

‘Arthur Bell & Sons' first appeared on the label in 1904. It also featured a Curler and described the whisky as a ‘Pure Malt Whisky' from Perth. Later A.K acquired another Perth blending house ‘John Dewar & Sons and the company enjoyed growth. Prohibition in the United States from 1920-1933 had a detrimental effect on growth, as the United States was the largest growing market in the world at the time. The 1997 decanter depicts the malt and grain whiskies selected and the distilleries they come from.

Located at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, in the town of Pitlochry, Perthshire, Blair Athol distillery sits. The Allt Dour Burn runs from the hills surrounding Pitlochry, to the site of the distillery. Established in 1798, by John Stewart and Robert Robertson, the distillery was acquired and re-opened by Arthur Bell & Sons in 1933. The 1998 decanter depicts the importance of water and the elements it travels through, from the clear springs, down over granite, through peat and heather moors of the Scottish highlands ...

The whisky is a blend of five malt and grain whiskies, sourced from five different distilleries. Located at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, in the town of Pitlochry, Perthshire, Blair Athol distillery, the home to Arthur Bell & Sons rests. The four other distilleries include Inchgower-Speyside, Dufftown-Speyside, Glenkinchie-Lowland and Caol ila-Islay. The 1999 decanter depicts the elements used in the creation of Bells 8 year old whiskey ...

Arthur Bell was born in 1825 in the town of Perth. In the late 1940's he worked as a traveller, for a wine and spirit business in Kirkside, Perth. It wasn't until 1951 that Arthur Bell became a partner within the same Business and finally in 1870, Arthur Bell became the sole owner. In 1895 Arthur Bell's sons, Arthur Kinmond and Robert Duff Bell joined the company. Arthur Bell founder died in 1900, leaving his two sons to run the business.

Bell scotch whisky is a blend of five malt and grain whiskies, sourced from five different distilleries. They include – Blair Athol, Highland – Inchgower, Speyside – Dufftown, Speyside – Glenkinchie, Lowland and Caol ila, Islay. The first bells decanter appeared in the 1920's and was made of blue glass, rather than the traditional shape, which came into play in 1988. The 2001 decanter celebrates the life of ‘Alexander Graham Bell ‘1847-1922, born in Edinburgh. Bell in 1874 developed the basic ideas for the telephone ...

‘Arthur Bell & Sons' first appeared on the label in 1904; it also featured a Curler and described the whisky as a ‘Pure Malt Whisky' from Perth. Later A.K acquired another Perth blending house ‘John Dewar & Sons and the company enjoyed growth. Prohibition in the United States from 1920-1933 had a detrimental effect on growth, as the United States was the largest growing market in the world at the time. The 2002 decanter celebrates the life of ‘James Watt' 1736-1819, born in Greenock.

Bladnoch distillery, located on the banks of the river Bladnoch, was established 1817. It was subsequently closed in 1938 and then re-opened in 1956. It wasn't until 1983, when Arthur Bell & Sons purchased the distillery and hence became one of the five malt whiskies used in the blend of Bell's original scotch whisky. Bladnoch fell silent in 1993 and was replaced as one of the five by Glenkinchie Distillery. The 2003 decanter celebrates the life of ‘Alexander Fleming' 1881-1955, born in Lochfield Scotland.

Glenkinchie distillery, located near the village of Pencaitland, in the glen of the Kinchie burn/East Lothian, was established in 1837 by local farmers, John and George Rate and is one of six distilleries in the Lowland region. The surrounding Lammermuir hills are a local source of fresh water. The distillery was taken over by United Distillers in 1989 and is now part of the Diageo portfolio. The 2004 decanter celebrates the life of ‘John Logie Baird' 1888-1946, born in Helensburgh/Argyll and Bute.

The whisky is a blend of five malt and grain whiskies, sourced from five different distilleries. Located at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, in the town of Pitlochry, Perthshire, Blair Athol distillery sits, home to Arthur Bell & Sons. The four other distilleries include Inchgower-Speyside, Dufftown-Speyside, Glenkinchie-Lowland and Caol ila-Islay. The 2005 decanter tells the story of the old bell of Saint Etienne church at Sens, Burgundy. The bell was removed by Clotaire II, king of France, and carted to Paris.

The 2006 decanter tells the story of Coldstream Guardsman ‘John Hatfield'. Hatfield was charged with falling asleep, while on sentry duty at Windsor castle, during the reign of William III, King of England 1689-1702. His defence stated that he had heard ‘Great Tom' of Westminster, some twenty miles away, chime thirteen times at Midnight. So improbable it was at the time, it proved justified upon investigation, hence he was acquitted. When John Hatfield died in 1770 at the age of 105, he took his alibi to the grave with him ...

The 2007 decanter tells the story of Sir Miles Partridge, who outplayed King Henry VIII in poker Dice. Winning the Kings celebrated Clochier ‘The Jesus Bells' at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Partridge had the Bells melted down and sold. Sir Miles Partridge was arrested in 1551, convicted of treason and hanged on the 26th February 1552. The 2007 decanter also makes reference to the five Queens of King Henry VIII, who either died or were executed. His sixth wife, Catherine Parr was the only one to survive him as Queen.

One Sunday more than two centuries ago, a rich traveller was passing through the village of Messingham, in the County of Lincolnshire, England. He saw an odd sight. Three men were sitting on the churchyard stile, shouting “Come to church, Thompson!” “Come to church, Brown!” “Come to church, Frazer!” The Traveller was naturally puzzled. It turned out that this was the way of calling village folk to worship, the church too poor to have bells. The rich traveller offered to pay for the three bells, if the three men would make them.

In 1895 Arthur Bell's two sons, Arthur Kinmond and Robert Duff Bell joined the team. Arthur Kinmond was responsible for the domestic market, whereas Robert Duff looked after overseas. Arthur Bell founder died in 1900 and the boys continued their partnership until 1921, when Robert retired. Arthur Kinmond, also known as ‘A.k' continued as a sole trader until his death in 1942. The 2012 decanter features Robert Duff Bell, second son of Arthur Bell, born on 7th June 1871 at Bell's Moncrieff Terrace home in Perth.

Dufftown distillery was established in 1895 as ‘Dufftown-Glenlivet' and is located in Dufftown, Banffshire-Scotland. In the Conval hills not far from Dufftown distillery, Jock's Well rises and it is from here, the water is sourced. Dufftown has nine distilleries and include, Mortlach, Glenfiddich and Balvenie, to name but a few. Dufftown distillery is under the Diageo portfolio and currently operates under the name ‘ Singleton of Dufftown ‘. The golden Jubilee decanter was released in 2002 ...

The whisky is a blend of five malt and grain whiskies, sourced from five different distilleries. They include Blair Athol-Highland, Inchgower-Speyside, Dufftown-Speyside, Glenkinchie-Lowland and Caol ila-Islay. All add something unique to the finished product. The Golden Wedding Anniversary decanter celebrates 50 years of marriage. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh were married on the 20th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey.