A Historic Treasure Hunt
In July 2008 the staff at Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull uncovered a remarkable secret. For decades, a massive wooden sideboard in the dining room had intrigued the castle’s owner, Chris James. The heavy piece of furniture had remained locked and unopened for as long as anyone could remember, hiding its contents away from the modern world. While the grand estate originally dates back to 1858, this particular mystery had stayed sealed through generations of the James family and their public visitors.
The Legacy of Arbuthnot Guthrie
The mystery of the locked cabinet began with Arbuthnot Guthrie, a wealthy merchant banker who purchased the castle in 1865. Following Guthrie’s death in 1897, his widow inherited the house’s contents while his favorite nephew inherited the property itself. As she prepared to leave, the widow cleared out almost every item in the castle, yet the solid wooden dining room sideboard proved far too heavy to move. She left the piece behind, firmly locked, where it sat undisturbed for over a century.
Breaking the Seal
Chris James eventually hired a specialist locksmith to visit the castle and cut a custom key for the antique furniture. As the doors finally creaked open, they revealed a personal drinks cabinet frozen in time since the late Victorian era. Inside the dark wood interior sat several bottles, including brandy, a port decanter, and a bottle of claret. However, the most stunning find was a single, pristine bottle of 1893 Veuve Clicquot champagne. Chris James recalled the moment with great enthusiasm:
“I really had no idea what to expect when the cupboard door was finally opened.”
A Perfect Preservation
The interior of the sideboard provided the ideal environment for aging wine. Total darkness and a stable temperature kept the champagne in mint condition for over 110 years. Even the distinctive yellow label of the Veuve Clicquot remained vibrant and fully intact. When Chris James contacted the famous champagne house to report the find, the company confirmed that this 1893 vintage represented the oldest bottle of their champagne known to exist at that time.
Truly Priceless
The discovery sparked international interest and brought Fabienne Huttaux, the head of communications at Veuve Clicquot, to Mull to inspect the bottle. She confirmed that its historical value far outweighed any monetary figure. She stated:
“The bottle is literally priceless. It is a one off and therefore unique.”
The company made it clear they would never sell the bottle on the open market, as Huttaux further explained the artifact’s importance to their heritage:
“We would never consider selling it as it is far too important to us. It is a unique piece of champagne history.”
Return to France
Chris James eventually agreed that the bottle belonged with its original creators rather than staying at Torosay Castle. The vintage champagne traveled to France and now sits on display at the Veuve Clicquot visitor centre in Reims. The artifact serves as a stunning testament to the brand’s longevity. Chris James expressed his satisfaction with the outcome:
“I’m genuinely delighted that part of Torosay’s 150 year history has turned out to be so important and the bottle is now on display in its rightful home.”
