John Beswick Studio of Royal Doulton Beneagles Golden Eagle scotch whisky decanter, modelled by J.G. Tongue in 1969. This Golden Eagle is one in a series of Scottish Birds of Prey filled with Beneagles scotch whisky. 

Best known for this Beneagles brand of ceramic decanters, Peter Thomson was established on Perth High Street in 1908. Peter was a skilled blender, and in addition to the company’s wine and spirits wholesale business, created a number of bespoke blends using in particular his knowledge of the Speyside malts. 

In the late 1970s Beneagles was one of the top 12 whisky brands in Scotland, they were sold to British Caledonian’s first class passengers.

Peter Thomson remained family-run until 1983 when it was acquired by Reo Stakis. Two years later the company was sold on again to Leith-based Charles Mackinlay & Co, the sister company of Waverley Vintners Limited that was owned by Scottish & Newcastle Breweries plc. Later that year Mackinlay was acquired by Invergordon Distillers. In 1993 Invergordon became part of Whyte & Mackay where the Beneagles brand name now lies dormant.

The UK moved from labelling in degrees to percentage alcohol on 1st January 1980.