Name: Bell's Decanter
SKU: 0280566
Price: 31 GBP
Availability: InStock

Bell's 8-year-old whisky in Wade Porcelain Decanter, produced to commemorate Christmas 1999.

June 2026

July 2026

The history of Scotch whisky has to a significant degree been shaped by excise legislation, ever since the first tax was imposed on it by the Scots Parliament in 1644. The parliament passed an Excise Act fixing the duty at 2/8d (13p) per pint of ‘aquavitae or other strong liquor’ – the Scots pint being approximately one third of a gallon.

Over the next two centuries, many changes were made to the legislation surrounding the taxation of whisky, but one factor that never changed was the determination of some distillers to operate illicitly, cutting out any proceeds for the treasury altogether.

In the early 1820s as many as 14,000 illicit stills were being seized each year, and it was estimated that more than half the whisky consumed in Scotland had been distilled without benefit of licence. In 1822 there were no fewer than 6,278 prosecutions for illicit distilling. 

The following year saw the passing of perhaps the most significant piece of legislation ever enacted in relation to Scotch whisky. The Act was an attempt – largely successful, as it turned out – to stifle the extensive trade in illicitly-distilled whisky.

The Excise Act encouraged legal distillation by cutting duty to 2s 5d per gallon, a historic reduction of more than 50 per cent, and a minimum still size of 40 gallons was sanctioned. A licence fee of £10 per annum was introduced, the concept of duty-free warehousing was developed, and distillers were free to export to England and overseas. 

One of the key figures behind the Excise Act of 1823 was the 4th Duke of Gordon, who had extensive estates throughout north-east Scotland, an area that was the very heartland of illicit distillation. Gordon proposed that if new legislation was put in place to make legal distilling more attractive, he and his fellow landowners would do all in their power to uphold the law as diligently as they could and evict anyone convicted of illicit distilling.

The advantages were perceived as being more revenue for the government, despite the lower level of duty, and opportunities for the lairds to make money out of the rash of whisky-making operations that would surely be built as a result of the proposed legislation. Remarkably, no fewer than 79 new distilleries were commissioned between 10th October 1823 and 9th August 1824, with the number of licensed distilleries rising from 111 in 1823 to 263 by 1825.

Perhaps the most significant name from a north-east of Scotland ‘Speyside’ perspective to join the list of legal distilleries was that of Glenlivet, where Captain George Smith began to distil legally at his Upper Drumin farm in 1824. However, Smith’s father, Andrew, had been distilling on the site since 1774, without ever feeling the need to acquire a licence! 
Glenlivet was notable as being the first distillery in the Highlands to be licensed in the wake of the 1823 Excise Act, with support from the Duke of Gordon. Not that the newly licensed Glenlivet flourished without interference, however. Many of Smith’s compatriots considered him a traitor for ‘going legit,’ and as he wrote some years later, they threatened to “…burn the distillery to the ground, and me at the heart of it. The laird of Aberlour presented me with a pair of hair-trigger pistols worth ten guineas, and they were never out of my belt for ten years.”

According to legend, Smith only ever had recourse to his pistols on one occasion. This occurred in a tavern where he stopped for refreshment after delivering some whisky to a customer, and involved a number of would-be thieves, keen to relieve wealthy travellers of their money. When they approached Smith, he drew one of his pistols and fired it into the fireplace. He was allowed to finish his drink in peace.
As a legitimate distillery, Glenlivet supplied high quality single malt to Scotland’s thirsty, expanding population centres to the south, and in terms of reputation, all other Speyside distilleries soon came to exist in its shadow.

One effect of the 1823 Excise Act was a move away from very small, localised licensed distilleries in southern and central Scotland, with larger whisky-making concerns reflecting the general trend towards bigger, more professional and integrated commercial activities across the UK. 
Indeed, Scotland had already witnessed a tendency towards the development of an industry focused on a relatively small number of extensive distilleries, with the likes of Kilbagie, Kennetpans, Glenochil, Cambus and Carsebridge among the most significant. This consolidation continued apace in the wake of the 1823 Act, though the Highlands were still characterised by a larger number of individually smaller distilling operations.

To give a clear idea of just how significant the 1823 Excise Act really was, many of the distilleries and single malts we now value most highly were licensed within a decade or so of its enactment. Not all of these were ‘new builds,’ of course, with some, usually farm-based, having previously operated under the radar without licenses.

The list of distilleries in question includes Balmenach, Ben Nevis, Benrinnes, cardhu, Edradour, Fettercairn, Glen Scotia, Glencadam, GlenDronach, Glenfarclas, Glengoyne, Glenkinchie, Miltonduff, Royal Lochnagar and Talisker   as well as many others no longer in existence.
While a very strong case can be made for declaring the 1823 Excise Act to be the single most important piece of excise legislation relating to Scotch whisky, a case can also be made for the 1860 Spirit Act which legalised the blending of malt and grain whiskies under bond for the first time. But that is another story for another day.

The Deil's awa wi' the Exciseman - Robert Burns

"The deil cam fiddlin' thro' the town, 
And danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman; 
And ilka wife cries,  Auld Mahoun, 
I wish you luck o' the prize, man.

The deil's awa the deil's awa, 
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa he's danc'd awa 
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman.

We'll mak our maut, and we'll brew our drink, 
We'll laugh, sing, and rejoice, man; 
And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil, 
That danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman.

There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels, 
There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man, 
But the ae best dance ere came to the Land 
Was, the deil's awa wi' the Exciseman.

The deil's awa the deil's awa , 
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa he's danc'd awa  
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman."

…burn the distillery to the ground, and me at the heart of it.

In this intriguing piece, Gavin D. Smith delves into the relationship between taxes and the Scotch Whisky industry.

1823 EXCISE ACT

Historical

We're excited to partner with Rothes Sports Development Group this month to raise money for a great cause. The charity was formed in 2025 to enchance local health, welfare and sporting opportunities in and around Rothes, Moray.

Rothes Sports Development Charity Auction

Charity Auction

In our inaugural Blog entry, Guest writer Ian Buxton explores the seemingly unglamorous distillery mill. The unsung hero of whisky distilleries.

The Distillery Mill

Useful Info

auction_live_today_2804044_138262.webp

Bids Close Monday 18th May From 8pm

May Auction Now Live!

macallan_51_year_old_1948_select_reserve.jpg

70 cl

46.6%

Select Reserve

Macallan 51 Years Old 1948

macallan_51_years_old_1948_select_reserve_2801613_810091.webp

macallan_51_years_old_1948_select_reserve_2801614_853486.webp

macallan_51_years_old_1948_select_reserve_2801615_756087.webp

macallan_51_years_old_1948_select_reserve_2801616_676393.webp

Complete Set | No.1 - No.10

Arran White Stag Releases

arran_18_years_old_1997_white_stag_first_release.jpg

700ml

53.6%

White Stag First Release

Arran 18 Years Old 1997

arran_20_years_old_1996_white_stag_second_release.jpg

49.5%

White Stag Second Release

Arran 20 Years Old 1996

arran_21_years_old_1996_white_stag_third_release.jpg

52.5% vol 

White Stag Third Release

Arran 21 Years Old 1996

arran_10_years_old_white_stag_fourth_release_2018.jpg

55.4%

White Stag Fourth Release 2018

Arran 10 Years Old

arran_9_years_old_white_stag_fifth_release_2019.jpg

57.1%

White Stag Fifth Release 2019

Arran 9 Years Old

arran_23_years_old_1997_white_stag_sixth_release_2021.jpg

53.8%

White Stag Sixth Release 2021

Arran 23 Years Old 1997

arran_white_stag_seventh_release_2022.jpg

53.4%

White Stag Seventh Release 2022

Arran

arran_white_stag_eighth_release_2023.jpg

56.7%

White Stag Eighth Release 2023

arran_white_stag_ninth_release_2024_237480_122551.webp

52.1%

White Stag Ninth Release 2024

arran_white_stag_ninth_release_2024_237480_436735.webp

54.9% alc./vol

White Stag Tenth Release 2025

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803894_679601.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803887_034663.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803888_023605.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803889_709848.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803890_484051.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803891_128544.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803892_648703.webp

arran_white_stag_releases_complete_set_no1_no10_2803893_811181.webp

springbank_35_years_old_millennium_miniature_928582_655131.webp

1999 Millennium Collection | 3rd Release

Springbank 35 Years Old

springbank_35_years_old_1999_millennium_collection_3rd_release_2803268_874776.webp

springbank_35_years_old_1999_millennium_collection_3rd_release_2803269_383844.webp

springbank_36_years_old_1965_2001_local_barley_cask_no8_2803113_477792.webp

47.6%

2001 Local Barley Cask No.8

Springbank 36 Years Old 1965

springbank_36_years_old_1965_2001_local_barley_cask_no8_2803114_471366.webp

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no_173_complete_cask_2790345_838900_267730_730360.webp

232.3 Litres

65.51%

Complete Cask Held In Bond At Lowland Bond

Aultmore (Allt Mor) 2018 Hogshead Cask No.173

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no173_complete_cask_held_in_bond_ar_lowland_bond_2792164_928320.webp

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no_173_complete_cask_2790345_838900.webp

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no_173_complete_cask_2790349_419250.webp

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no_173_complete_cask_2790347_715630.webp

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no_173_complete_cask_2790348_756850.webp

aultmore_allt_mor_2018_hogshead_cask_no_173_complete_cask_2791543_281158.webp

glen_grant_50_years_old_1966_2016_signatory_vintage_rare_reserve_cask_strength_collection_2803680_473486.webp

54.6%

2016 Signatory Vintage Rare Reserve | Cask Strength Collection

Glen Grant 50 Years Old 1966

glen_grant_50_years_old_1966_2016_signatory_vintage_rare_reserve_cask_strength_collection_2803681_473348.webp

glen_grant_50_years_old_1966_2016_signatory_vintage_rare_reserve_cask_strength_collection_2803682_716805.webp

Bell's Decanter Christmas 1999

Official Bottling

Bell's

Highlands

Full Size

bells_decanter_christmas_1999.jpg

Christmas 1999

Bell's Decanter

bells_decanter_christmas_1999d03b8b.webp

bells_decanter_christmas_199939ea00.webp

March 2016

macallan_distil_your_world_mexico_edition_585699_004663.webp

47.2%

Paris Edition

Macallan Distil Your World

macallan_distil_your_world_paris_edition_2801548_888208.webp

macallan_distil_your_world_paris_edition_2801549_604733.webp

macallan_33_years_old_1977_crystal_decanter_silver_seal_1_of_1_2803998_062768.webp

45.1%

Silver Seal (1 of 1)

Macallan 33 Years Old 1977 | Crystal Decanter

macallan_33_years_old_1977_crystal_decanter_silver_seal_1_of_1_2803999_866805.webp

ben_nevis_2013_refill_bourbon_barrel_no174_held_in_bond_at_volpe_castello_2802217_939376_031189_336835.webp

127.7 Litres

57.5%

Held In Bond At Volpe & Castello

Ben Nevis 2013 Refill Bourbon Barrel No.174

ben_nevis_2013_refill_bourbon_barrel_no174_held_in_bond_at_volpe_castello_2802217_939376.webp

ben_nevis_2013_refill_bourbon_barrel_no174_held_in_bond_at_volpe_castello_2802565_869284.webp

Minor marks to box.

ardbeg_1815.jpg

50.1%

2015 200th Anniversary

Ardbeg 1815

ardbeg_1815_2015_200th_anniversary_2802281_459441.webp

ardbeg_1815_2015_200th_anniversary_2802282_250160.webp

Marks & creases to box.

springbank_32_years_old.jpg

2004

Springbank 32 Years Old 1971

springbank_32_years_old_1971_2004_2802310_867416.webp

springbank_32_years_old_1971_2004_2802311_008896.webp

macallan_edition_no1_197264.webp

Macallan Edition No.1

macallan_edition_no1_2803002_069750.webp

macallan_edition_no1_2803003_591200.webp

Please refer to images for general condition.

macallan_no6_in_lalique_325163_607031_580930.webp

Macallan No.6 in Lalique

macallan_no6_in_lalique_2803837_795332.webp

macallan_no6_in_lalique_2803838_713268.webp

springbank_30_years_old_2022_release_2280_020790_569310.webp

2022 Release (22/80)

Springbank 30 Years Old

springbank_30_years_old_2022_release_2280_2802814_000616.webp

springbank_30_years_old_2022_release_2280_2802815_811578.webp

springbank_30_years_old_2024_release_2433.jpg

2024 Release (24/33)

springbank_30_years_old_2024_release_2433_2801960_778946.webp

springbank_30_years_old_2024_release_2433_2801961_902328.webp

rosebank_31_years_old_remarkable_cask_release_one_2797832_698471.webp

46.8% vol

Release One

Rosebank 31 Years Old Remarkable Cask

rosebank_31_years_old_remarkable_cask_release_one_2803302_558861.webp

rosebank_31_years_old_remarkable_cask_release_one_2803303_782737.webp

Dents & creases to box

ardbeg_lord_of_the_isles_335113.webp

Ardbeg Lord Of The Isles

ardbeg_lord_of_the_isles_2803033_234850.webp

ardbeg_lord_of_the_isles_2803034_425783.webp

No Box.

laphroaig_30_years_old_75cl.jpg

750ml

Laphroaig 30 Years Old (75cl)

laphroaig_30_years_old_75cl_2794006_606370.webp

laphroaig_30_years_old_75cl_2794007_795505.webp

macallan_43_years_old_1965_2008_carn_mor_celebration_of_the_cask_no2114_2765556_787529.webp

Bell's Decanter

Christmas 1999

Bell's Decanter

Sell Whisky with 0% Commission

How To Buy Whisky?