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Next Auction starts Friday 29 March. Bottle Deadline: 18 March.

Ardbeg 1966 Moon Import #2443 / The Birds I

Lot: 6166244

Ardbeg 1966 Moon Import #2443 / The Birds I

Winning Bid: £3,290

Currency Estimate

Important: Currency exchange rates are constantly changing; this feature is to be used as a guide price only. All final transactions occur in British Pounds (£).
Lot:
Distillery: 
Ardbeg
Vintage: 
1966
Region: 
Islay
Bottler: 
Moon Import
Cask Type: 
hogshead
Bottled Strength: 
46%
Bottle Size: 
75cl
Distillery Status: 
Operational
product Details

Ardbeg 1966 Moon Import #2443 / The Birds I

Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

Moon Import released two The Birds series, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. This is one of three Ardbeg from the first releases. It was distilled in 1966 and bottled from hogshead #2443.

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

The rising demand for its product in the 1970s meant that Ardbeg was forced to stop using its own malted barley, instead buying it in from the neighbouring Port Ellen maltings. The result was a change in the style and profile of the distillery's whisky, and pre-1974 vintages such as this are incredibly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike.

Bottle 99 of 264.

 

Important Notice

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Please note: Due to the various ages of bottles and their seals, condition of liquid is at the buyer's discretion and no claim can be lodged against failure/leakage in transit.