Bell’s Decanter Birth Of Princess Eugenie
75cl / 43%
£69.00
- Malt type: Blended Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
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A highly collectible ceramic decanter commemorating the 1990 Royal birth, valued primarily for its historical provenance and physical condition.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Arthur Bell & Sons / Scotland, Perth |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky (Commemorative Decanter) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | Likely 8 Years Old (standard Bell’s) / Bottled 1990 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV / Typically 75cl (ceramic decanter) |
| Cask / Treatment | Blended whisky component casks (various) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (standard blend) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No (standard blend) |
| Cask Strength | No (bottled at 40% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated (Mass commemorative release) |
| Intended channel | Global retail/commemorative market |
| Packaging | Ceramic decanter (Wade), cork closure |
| Notes on discrepancies | Liquid quality is secondary; value is entirely driven by decanter condition and fill level. |
Historical Context
This ceramic decanter was produced by Arthur Bell & Sons to mark the birth of Princess Eugenie in 1990. It is an integral piece of Bell's famous series of Royal commemorative bottlings.
Critically, the financial value of this item is entirely disconnected from the quality of the liquid, which consists of a standard, high-volume blended Scotch. The valuation is driven purely by its aesthetic collectability, the significance of the 1990 Royal event, and, most importantly, the physical integrity of the ceramic vessel itself.
This reliance on physical condition causes significant volatility in the secondary market, where prices fluctuate between GBP 30 and GBP 120. This wide price range is directly attributable to the technical flaw inherent in ceramic decanters sealed with corks: their susceptibility to liquid evaporation (ullage) over several decades. As such, a high-risk premium is placed exclusively on examples that have maintained a high fill level.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The decanter itself is typically 75cl in volume and was manufactured by Wade Ceramics for Bell’s. The liquid component is a standard blended Scotch, bottled at the statutory minimum strength of 40% ABV.
As a mass-market commemorative item, the technical specifications of the liquid are consistent across the entire outturn. The defining characteristics relate to the specific ceramic design commemorating the 1990 event.
Documented variants
The Princess Eugenie decanter is standardized at 75cl and 40% ABV. Variations, where they exist, are limited to manufacturing anomalies or slight differences in the ceramic stopper design produced by Wade.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 75cl | Commemorative | 1990 Royal Event, Wade Ceramic | Moderate-to-High (Condition Dependant) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Fill level assessment (ullage check) is the single most mandatory requirement. To be considered collector grade, the liquid must be demonstrably above the shoulder (High Fill) to command the high end of the price spectrum. Decanters with low fills (mid-shoulder or lower) are generally considered severely compromised, and their value drops dramatically to that of the empty ceramic artifact.
The integrity of the ceramic surface must be meticulously checked for chips, cracks, or paint loss. The cork seal must also be examined, as cork failure leads directly to the critical evaporation risk. It is important to confirm the 1990 commemoration date.
Regulatory-terminology notes
The liquid complies with UK requirements for Blended Scotch Whisky, meeting the three-year maturation minimum and the 40% ABV bottling strength. Consistent with high-volume commercial blends, the liquid is presumed to be chill-filtered and artificially coloured with E150a spirit caramel.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The liquid is the standard Bell’s blend—light, malty, and highly approachable.
Profile: Tasting notes generally include soft grain, sweetness from malted barley, and honeyed characteristics, leading to a swift, clean finish.
Assessment: The liquid quality is entirely subordinate to the historical condition. Severe ullage compromises the integrity of the liquid.
With water: Not applicable.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The decanter is sourced exclusively via the secondary market.
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): The valuation is driven purely by the secondary market.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Auction data indicate a hammer price range of GBP 30–GBP 120.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Auction (Low) | Recent | Decanter, Low Fill (Mid-Shoulder) | 35.00 | Liquid value severely compromised |
| Auction (High) | Recent | Decanter, High Fill (Perfect) | 120.00 | Premium collector condition |
Pricing stratification: Decanters with significant liquid loss (low condition) sell for the ceramic value only (GBP 30–GBP 50). Collector-grade pieces, defined by high fill levels and pristine ceramic condition, achieve the top valuations (GBP 100–GBP 120).
Liquidity is high for the ceramic decanter due to the mass production volume. However, liquidity for genuine, high-fill, pristine examples is low, reflecting the scarcity created by historical evaporation rates.
Distillery-Bottler Snapshot
Bell’s relies heavily on this series of Wade Ceramic decanters for its identity in the collectible market. These releases successfully cemented the brand as a key purveyor of historical artifacts connected to British tradition.
Sourcing
Target formats-eras: The 1990 Princess Eugenie Wade Ceramic Decanter (75cl) is the precise target.
Red flags to avoid: Significant liquid loss and evidence of historical leakage or staining must be rejected.
Condition thresholds: A mandatory minimum fill level of High Shoulder is required for collector valuation. The external ceramic condition must also be flawless.
Margin-velocity expectations: High margins are possible if a high-condition decanter is acquired at an undervalued price. Overall acquisition velocity is slow due to the difficulty in sourcing perfectly preserved examples.
