One of three Scottish artists chosen by distillers J & G Grant to label the millennium release of the Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Single Highland Malt — Bruce answered with Robert Burns.
Bruce was honoured with a unique commission from J & G Grant, the distillers behind Glenfarclas — invited, alongside two other Scottish artists, to design labels for a limited millennium edition of their prestigious 40 Year Old Single Highland Malt.
The labels drew on classic Scottish literature: Bruce's interpretations of Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter and The Jolly Beggars. Each bottle carried one of his vibrant illustrations, turning the release into a collector's object as much as a whisky. These rare bottles are now valued at up to €5,995 each — treasured by whisky connoisseurs and art enthusiasts alike.
His ability to blend traditional themes with his distinctive line helped create a timeless piece of both art and whisky history — and remains his strongest bridge between the gallery and the wider world.
The full story of the commission — the three chosen artists, the distillers J & G Grant and the millennium release — is told in the journal. The same Tam o' Shanter imagery runs through his Witches' Revelry etching and the wider etchings collection, alongside the eleven Burns illustrations below.
Tam o' ShanterThe wild midnight chase from Burns' 1790 narrative poem.
Burns' rowdy cantata of vagabonds and revellers — brought to life in Bruce's dynamic movement and expressive line. From the wild chase of Tam o' Shanter to these lively characters, each illustration captures the essence of the story and stands alone as a work of art.
Collectors, curators and whisky houses are welcome to enquire about the original etchings and prints from the Glenfarclas series.