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Feature — The Commission

A 40 Year Old malt, bottled with Burns

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.

A Souple Jade — Bruce Thomson's Tam o' Shanter illustration of Nannie leading the witches' dance at the Kirk of Alloway
3
Scottish artists chosen
40yr
Single Highland Malt
€5,995
Collector value per bottle
2000
Millennium edition

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 Ale Was Growing Better — Bruce Thomson's Tam o' Shanter illustration of the opening inn drinking scene Tam o' ShanterThe wild midnight chase from Burns' 1790 narrative poem.
The second label

The Jolly Beggars

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.

The Gallery

The eleven commission illustrations

All illustrations →
A Souple Jade, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
A Souple Jade · Tam o' Shanter
The Witch on the Cannon, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
The Witch on the Cannon · Tam o' Shanter
They Danced and They Sang, a The Jolly Beggars illustration by Bruce Thomson
They Danced and They Sang · The Jolly Beggars
The Brig o' Doon, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
The Brig o' Doon · Tam o' Shanter
The Ale Was Growing Better, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
The Ale Was Growing Better · Tam o' Shanter
Bound in a Dungeon, a The Jolly Beggars illustration by Bruce Thomson
Bound in a Dungeon · The Jolly Beggars
Old Nick in Shape o' Beast, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
Old Nick in Shape o' Beast · Tam o' Shanter
The Leap, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
The Leap · Tam o' Shanter
Whistle Owre the Lave o't, a The Jolly Beggars illustration by Bruce Thomson
Whistle Owre the Lave o't · The Jolly Beggars
Ne'er Poor Sinner Was Abroad, a Tam o' Shanter illustration by Bruce Thomson
Ne'er Poor Sinner Was Abroad · Tam o' Shanter
The Old Soldier's Tales of War, a The Jolly Beggars illustration by Bruce Thomson
The Old Soldier's Tales of War · The Jolly Beggars

Enquire about the commission works

Collectors, curators and whisky houses are welcome to enquire about the original etchings and prints from the Glenfarclas series.