From the vaults of William Grant & Sons comes Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw, a one-of-a-kind single malt created exclusively for The Distillers One of One charity auction.
Drawn by hand from a single cask, this remarkable 58-year-old whisky represents the oldest expression ever bottled from Ladyburn, a distillery that operated for less than a decade before closing in 1975.
Its short-lived production and limited releases have made Ladyburn something of a cult favorite among whisky collectors and connoisseurs. Bottles from the 1960s and early ’70s have fetched tens of thousands of pounds at auction. Today, its legacy is preserved only through a handful of surviving casks.
This special edition pairs that lost heritage with Shaw’s distinctive portrait of Marilyn Monroe, taken during one of the most famous periods of her career. The image, captured in September 1954 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, shows Monroe in an unguarded moment, relaxed, and far removed from the posed glamour of Hollywood studio photography.
It was taken just days before the now-iconic ‘skirt-blowing’ scene on Lexington Avenue during the filming of The Seven Year Itch.
It represents the oldest expression ever bottled from Ladyburn, a distillery that operated for less than a decade before closing in 1975…
Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw is part of an ongoing creative series that connects the few remaining Ladyburn casks with the work of visionary artists. Previous editions have celebrated David Bailey, Norman Parkinson, and the estate of David Hicks.
Shaw, a close friend and collaborator of Monroe’s since 1950, became renowned for his ability to capture spontaneous, authentic glimpses of the stars.
His work marked a shift in Hollywood portraiture, moving away from formality towards intimacy and realism.
The whisky itself, distilled in 1966 and bottled in 2025, was drawn from Cask 102092 and presented at 58 years old. Matured in sherry oak, and bottled at natural cask strength, it displays a dark mahogany hue and a profile rich with age and depth.
On the nose, official tasting notes speak of linseed, liquorice and antique leather, lifted by soft vanilla toffee and the warmth of sherry seasoned oak. The palate is said to be silky and mouth-coating, with evolving layers of stewed fruits, tobacco leaf and aged leather; the finish slightly dry yet smooth.
The single bottle will be offered at The Distillers One of One auction on October 10 2025, with proceeds donated to the Youth Action Fund, which supports disadvantaged young people across Scotland.
Main points at a glance: Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw
One-of-a-kind single malt whisky from William Grant & Sons’ lost Ladyburn Distillery, closed in 1975.
Distilled in 1966, matured for 58 years, hand-drawn from a single cask, the oldest Ladyburn bottling ever released.
Created exclusively for The Distillers One of One charity auction on 10 October 2025, with proceeds supporting the Youth Action Fund.
Features a rare, candid 1954 photograph of Marilyn Monroe taken by her close friend and celebrated photographer Sam Shaw.
Ladyburn is a ‘ghost distillery’, known for pioneering industrial innovations in its brief existence (1966–1975). Only a handful of casks remain.
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The Luxe Review 
From the vaults of William Grant & Sons comes Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw, a one-of-a-kind single malt created exclusively for The Distillers One of One charity auction.
Drawn by hand from a single cask, this remarkable 58-year-old whisky represents the oldest expression ever bottled from Ladyburn, a distillery that operated for less than a decade before closing in 1975.
Its short-lived production and limited releases have made Ladyburn something of a cult favorite among whisky collectors and connoisseurs. Bottles from the 1960s and early ’70s have fetched tens of thousands of pounds at auction. Today, its legacy is preserved only through a handful of surviving casks.
This special edition pairs that lost heritage with Shaw’s distinctive portrait of Marilyn Monroe, taken during one of the most famous periods of her career. The image, captured in September 1954 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, shows Monroe in an unguarded moment, relaxed, and far removed from the posed glamour of Hollywood studio photography.
It was taken just days before the now-iconic ‘skirt-blowing’ scene on Lexington Avenue during the filming of The Seven Year Itch.
Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw is part of an ongoing creative series that connects the few remaining Ladyburn casks with the work of visionary artists. Previous editions have celebrated David Bailey, Norman Parkinson, and the estate of David Hicks.
Shaw, a close friend and collaborator of Monroe’s since 1950, became renowned for his ability to capture spontaneous, authentic glimpses of the stars.
His work marked a shift in Hollywood portraiture, moving away from formality towards intimacy and realism.
The whisky itself, distilled in 1966 and bottled in 2025, was drawn from Cask 102092 and presented at 58 years old. Matured in sherry oak, and bottled at natural cask strength, it displays a dark mahogany hue and a profile rich with age and depth.
On the nose, official tasting notes speak of linseed, liquorice and antique leather, lifted by soft vanilla toffee and the warmth of sherry seasoned oak. The palate is said to be silky and mouth-coating, with evolving layers of stewed fruits, tobacco leaf and aged leather; the finish slightly dry yet smooth.
The single bottle will be offered at The Distillers One of One auction on October 10 2025, with proceeds donated to the Youth Action Fund, which supports disadvantaged young people across Scotland.
Main points at a glance: Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw
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