King's Ransom – "Round the World" Blended Scotch Whisky. Producer: William Whiteley & Co. (Edinburgh / Pitlochry). History and Legend of "Round the World": The "Round the World" label tells the story of one of the most famous marketing ploys in whisky history: to uniquely refine and mature the blend, William Whiteley shipped whisky casks on long voyages circumnavigating the globe aboard cargo ships. The constant motion of the vessel, combined with temperature and humidity fluctuations across the oceans, accelerated the interaction between the wood and the spirit, imparting a smooth and distinctive profile. Like the other version from the same house, the blend’s core consisted of malts from Glenforres and the Edradour distillery (which William Whiteley acquired in the 1930s). The item pictured is a two-tone ceramic jug/flagon featuring an embossed seal on the front and raised detailing. Production and Bottling Year Estimated period: Late 1960s / 1970s. Identifying features: The style of the two-tone ceramic decanter (brown/midnight blue on top and cream on the bottom), combined with the pink Italian state tax seal on the neck, places the distribution of this specific bottle between the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tasting Notes Aroma: Full-bodied and "old style," with deep notes of sherry, dried fruit (raisins, figs), beeswax, leather, dark vanilla, and a light touch of smoke and peat. Palate: Rich, smooth, and slightly oily. Flavors of toasted caramel, candied orange, dark honey, sweet wood spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), and a subtle mineral/earthy undertone emerge. Finish: Persistent, warm, and enveloping, with notes of oak, bitter cocoa, and toasted malt.