December 2022 Auction

Macallan 1939 Gordon and MacPhail 30 Year Old / Donini Import​

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

This is one of those Gordon and MacPhail bottlings. Gordon & MacPhail helped Macallan survive during the 1930s and 1940s by buying a regular batch of stock from them, which in turn allowed them to release a lot of these special Macallan bottlings to the Italian market.

These \"Macallan-Glenlivet\" labels were introduced in the 1950s and could be considered the first official label. Gordon & MacPhail began to use them in the 1960s for Donini. This 1939 vintage is one of theirs, bottled at the end of the decade.

Glen Grant 1948 Gordon and MacPhail 66 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006.

Glen Grant licensed its brand to a number of bottlers in the mid to late 20th century, the most prominent of which was Gordon & MacPhail. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases. The preference of the Italian parent firm at the distillery today for its younger output, often means that Gordon & MacPhail are given access to some impressively aged casks.

A special release, this incredible age-statement was bottled for Polish-based company, Wealth Solutions.

Yamazaki 2022 Edition 4 x 70cl

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

This 2022 set includes four bottles of Yamazaki from four different cask types, which are part of the Tsukuriwake\"  selection. It includes...

• Yamazaki Peated Malt 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Mizunara 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Puncheon 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Spanish Oak 2022 Edition 48% 70cl

This lot will include a four bottle shipping fee.

Yamazaki 2022 Edition 4 x 70cl

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

This 2022 set includes four bottles of Yamazaki from four different cask types, which are part of the Tsukuriwake\"  selection. It includes...

• Yamazaki Peated Malt 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Mizunara 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Puncheon 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Spanish Oak 2022 Edition 48% 70cl

This lot will include a four bottle shipping fee.

Yamazaki 2022 Edition 4 x 70cl

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

This 2022 set includes four bottles of Yamazaki from four different cask types, which are part of the Tsukuriwake\"  selection. It includes...

• Yamazaki Peated Malt 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Mizunara 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Puncheon 2022 Edition 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Spanish Oak 2022 Edition 48% 70cl

This lot will include a four bottle shipping fee.

Macallan Masters of Photography Mario Testino 75cl / US Import

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.

The Masters of Photography series of whiskies by Macallan was launched in 2008 and contains numerous chapters, each showcasing the work of a legendary artist behind the lens.  A very limited Macallan, this was bottled from 6 unique single casks picked by Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno. Only 1000 bottles were produced.

This Masters of Photography release celebrates the famous Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer, Mario Testino. Presented in a magnificent glossy black case, the set contains prints captured by Mario himself, as well as a secret compartment which contains a set of 6 single cask miniatures, each representing one of the six Macallan pillars.

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 8 bottles with this lot due to its weight. 

Glen Grant 1956 Gordon and MacPhail 65 Year Old Batch #21/218 / LMDW 65th Anniversary

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006.

Glen Grant licensed its brand to a number of bottlers in the mid to late 20th century, the most prominent of which was Gordon & MacPhail. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases. The preference of the Italian parent firm at the distillery today for its younger output, often means that Gordon & MacPhail are given access to some impressively aged casks.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market, and this release follows the 2018 rejuvenation of the brand, which saw it reimagined as a premium single casks range.

This incredible whisky was distilled in 1956 and aged in first-fill ex-Sherry butt #4451 for 65 years. It was bottled on 15th December 2021 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of legendary French spirit merchants, La Maison du Whisky.

One of 180 bottles.

Macallan 1967 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old 75cl

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills. 

The distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak 2020 Release

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

The 30 year old Sherry Oak from Macallan is one of the most sought after whiskies in the world.

This is the 2020 release and was the third following the rebranding of the Macallan core range in 2018. This is joined by the classic 12, 18 and 25 year old age statements in the Sherry Oak Cask range.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak 2021 Release

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

The 30 year old Sherry Oak from Macallan is one of the most sought after whiskies in the world.

This is the 2021 release and was the third following the rebranding of the Macallan core range in 2018. This is joined by the classic 12, 18 and 25 year old age statements in the Sherry Oak Cask range.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak 2021 Release

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

The 30 year old Sherry Oak from Macallan is one of the most sought after whiskies in the world.

This is the 2021 release and was the third following the rebranding of the Macallan core range in 2018. This is joined by the classic 12, 18 and 25 year old age statements in the Sherry Oak Cask range.

Macallan 1964 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills. 

The distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

Karuizawa 1995 Single Wine Cask 16 Year Old #5006 / Shinanoya

Karuizawa distillery was established in 1955 in the town of Miyota on the southern slopes of Mount Asama. It began production the following year, producing single malt for the Ocean blends from Daikoku Budoshu. Initially it was difficult for the distillery to obtain malt, but a lift on import restrictions in 1958 meant the distillery was able to experiment with the production of a Speyside-esque product, importing the same golden promise barely used at Macallan, and sherry casks. The subsequent quality of output saw it appearing in Japan as a single malt for the first time in the 1980s. Sadly, the Japanese whisky market was not strong at the time, and Karuizawa was closed  in 2001 by owners, Mercian, and eventually dismantled. Its legacy is lives on however, with its still relocated to other distilleries in Japan, but predominantly in the hugely sought-after single cask releases that began to appear in 2007, from independent bottler, Number One Drinks. It is now one of the most prestige single malts on the planet, the reverence for which only grows as the remaining stock continues to thin.

This limited release was distilled in 1995 and bottled 16 years later to celebrate the 5th anniversary of  legendary Tokyo liquor store, Shinanoya.

Produced from single Japanese Wine cask #5006, which yielded only 180 bottles.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak 2021 Release

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

The 30 year old Sherry Oak from Macallan is one of the most sought after whiskies in the world.

This is the 2021 release and was the third following the rebranding of the Macallan core range in 2018. This is joined by the classic 12, 18 and 25 year old age statements in the Sherry Oak Cask range.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak 2021 Release

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

The 30 year old Sherry Oak from Macallan is one of the most sought after whiskies in the world.

This is the 2021 release and was the third following the rebranding of the Macallan core range in 2018. This is joined by the classic 12, 18 and 25 year old age statements in the Sherry Oak Cask range.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak 2021 Release

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

The 30 year old Sherry Oak from Macallan is one of the most sought after whiskies in the world.

This is the 2021 release and was the third following the rebranding of the Macallan core range in 2018. This is joined by the classic 12, 18 and 25 year old age statements in the Sherry Oak Cask range.

Hibiki 17 Year Old Egret White Heron Beckons

Hibiki 17 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory.  

This special edition is presented in a hand painted bottle that depicts an Egret, which is a type of heron native to Japan. In Japan this bird is the epitome of elegance, a good fit for Hibiki. 

Limited to only 2000 bottles.

Michter's 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2018

When the famous Michter's distillery was abandoned by its owners in 1989, they left everything from the equipment, near-millions of gallons of stock, and perhaps most importantly, the rights to the name. Michter's distillery developed a cult status in the subsequent years due to the release of the much-lauded A.H. Hirsch Reserve, distilled there in 1974 when it was still called Pennco.

The new owners of the Michter's name, Chatham Imports, started a new company called Michter's Distillery LLC, and operated as a Non-Distiller Producer (NDP) for a number of years, meaning they sourced their whisky from other distilleries and bottled it under their own name. Many of these releases have been incredibly sought after, with early batches of their single barrel bourbons rumoured to have been sourced from the legendary Stitzel-Weller.

In 2015 they constructed a new Michter's Fort Nelson distillery in Shively, KY and have begun barrelling their own stock ever since. With the construction of a new warehousing facility in 2018, it is expected this new Michter's will soon be bottling all of its own whiskey, developing an important legacy of its own.

This 20 year old is from batch #L18I1370. One of 463 bottles. 

While older editions of the 20 year old were presumed to be wheated Bernheim whiskey sourced from the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers warehouses at Willett, whiskey author Fred Minnick has confirmed in his book, Bourbon Curious, that the source of Michter's Kentucky labelled products are sourced from Brown-Forman. 

Yamazaki 1990 Owner's Cask #OU70405 / Esprit

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Single cask Yamazaki are very rare and hard to find these days, particularly those with such a dark rich colour. This whisky was distilled in 1990 and laid to rest in single sherry butt #OU70405 before being bottled in 2005.

One of 442 bottles.  Owners Name: Esprit

Kawasaki 1982 Ichiro's Choice

The Ichiro's Choice brand is produced by Japanese firm, Venture Whisky, and is named after their founder, Ichiro Akuto. Venture Whisky was established in 2004 after Ichiro acquired the remaining unblended stocks of single malt from his grandfather's Hanyu distillery. Ichiro's Malt was born the following year, with the release of the original 'Card' series single casks of Hanyu. The company then opened its own distillery in 2008, the increasingly sought-after Chichibu. In addition to bottling these two single malts, the Ichiro's Malt brand has also produced a number of sought after blended whiskies like this over the years.

This is one of the very rare bottlings of Kawasaki by the company. Only a handful of single casks have ever been bottled from this lost Japanese grain distillery that was once part of the Sanraku-Ocean company alongside Karuizawa and Yamanashi, where this was aged.

Distilled in 1982, matured in refill Sherry butt at cask strength before being bottled in 2009.

One of 668 bottles.

Brora 1978 40 Year Old / 200th Anniversary

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) was built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1819. Prized by blenders, the distillery found itself in the hands of DCL in 1925 when they acquired shareholders, Ainslie & Heilbron and John Walker & Sons. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. It was never bottled officially as Brora during its years of operation, and the Rare Malts Selection in 1995 were the first distillery bottlings to bear the name. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19th May 2021.

A spectacular bottling of Brora, this was distilled in 1978 and unveiled in 2019 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the distillery. 

The liquid was drawn from 12 refill American oak hogsheads, and is limited to just 1,819 bottles. 

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask #1301 / Feis Ile 2008

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

Arguably one of the rarest Port Ellen around, this official bottling was released for the Fèis Ìle in 2008 and sold out instantly. A 1981 vintage was the only official single cask offering from Port Ellen for a long time. It was distilled on 15th April 1981 and bottled in 2008. The single ex-refill American oak cask #1301 yielded only 220 bottles.

Fèis Ìle, also known as the Islay Festival of Music and Malt had humble beginnings. It traces it origins back to 1985 and the establishment of The Islay Festival Association after it was realised that an event celebrating Gaelic, music and culture would drive tourism to the island. The inaugural event was two weeks of music, drama and workshops with ceilidhs, concerts and dances in the evening. The first whisky tasting took place as a festival event in 1990, and ten years later the island's distilleries began to be directly involved, organising their annual open days to coincide with it. Today it is one of the biggest events on the whisky calendar, annually drawing hundreds of revellers, and turning out an increasingly sought-after batch of limited edition whiskies like this.

Lagavulin 1976 Cask Strength 37 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of United Distillers' Classic Malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century.

A very well aged Lagavulin, this was released in late 2013 as part of Diageo's annual Special Releases.

This was distilled in 1976 and matured in refill American oak and European oak casks, yielding 1,868 bottles.

Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages

Balvenie was built by William Grant in 1892 and remains part of his family's company to this day. In the early part of its history, its purpose was primarily for the provision of malt for Grant's blends, however following the global success of Glenfiddich, the Balvenie single malt brand was launched in 1973. It remained a rarity though, and it was not until the opening of Kininvie in 1990, and later Ailsa Bay in Girvan, that the distillery was given the freedom to focus on its single malt. Today it is one of the best recognised brands in the world. In 1993 they launched the 12 year old \"DoubleWood,\" an expression credited with pioneering the use of cask-finishing, and this has become a key motif for the distillery's output in recent times.

A remarkable bottle and presentation, the Balvenie 40 year old is a stunning whisky that has been highly acclaimed around the World.  

This one is a 2021 release, part of the Rare Marriages series and launched alongside a 25 and 30-year-old, and three 50-year-old single casks.

Macallan 1979 Gran Reserva 18 Year Old 

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills. 

The Gran Reserva Macallan were released between 1997 and 2002.

Distilled in 1979 and bottled in 1997, this 18 year old Macallan is widely regarded as one of the most memorable and legendary bottles ever produced.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old / Old and Rare

One of Brora distillery's legendary 1972 vintages. This was bottled in 2002 by Douglas Laing for their Old & Rare range, when it was still part of their portfolio. The label has been bottled by Hunter Laing since 2013.

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) was built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1819. Prized by blenders, the distillery found itself in the hands of DCL in 1925 when they acquired shareholders, Ainslie & Heilbron and John Walker & Sons. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. Official bottlings of Brora did not appear until 1995, long after its closure, but independent bottlings like this were produced from the late 1980s. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19th May 2021.

One of 240 bottles.

Glen Garioch Coilltean 1975 Samaroli / Signed by Silvano Samaroli

An early example of the Coilltean label from Silvano Samaroli. Coilltean is a name he first used to as a way to provide greater variety to his range after over-purchasing casks of 1975 Glen Garioch. It became a regular feature in his series releases along with the Glen Cawdor psuedonym.

This was bottled for him in 1987 by long-time partners, R.W. Duthie of Aberdeen.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), he is regarded by many as a visionary. Many of his bottles now occupy deserved sports on the pantheon of whisky greats.

Glen Garioch is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. For most of the 20th century it was self-sufficient, malting its own barley using peat from Pitsligo, giving it a unique smoky character. In fact, in 1968 it was short-listed by then-owners DCL, to convert to heavily peated production in order to make up for a shortfall on Islay caused by a drought. In an odd twist of fate, the decision was instead made to re-open Brora for the job, and close Glen Garioch down. Morrison Bowmore then sprang to its rescue, restarting production in 1973. The maltings and distillery were shut down again by Beam Suntory in 1995, and only the latter resumed operations two years later, with contemporary Glen Garioch becoming an un-peated single malt. These pre-1995 vintages are worth investigating while you can.

Bottle 066 of 648.

Karuizawa 1990 Single Sherry Cask 19 Year Old #6446 / Whisky Live 10th Anniversary

Karuizawa distillery was established in 1955 in the town of Miyota on the southern slopes of Mount Asama. It began production the following year, producing single malt for the Ocean blends from Daikoku Budoshu. Initially it was difficult for the distillery to obtain malt, but a lift on import restrictions in 1958 meant the distillery was able to experiment with the production of a Speyside-esque product, importing the same golden promise barely used at Macallan, and sherry casks. The subsequent quality of output saw it appearing in Japan as a single malt for the first time in the 1980s. Sadly, the Japanese whisky market was not strong at the time, and Karuizawa was closed in 2001 by owners, Mercian, and eventually dismantled. Its legacy is lives on however, with its still relocated to other distilleries in Japan, but predominantly in the hugely sought-after single cask releases that began to appear in 2007, from independent bottler, Number One Drinks. It is now one of the most prestige single malts on the planet, the reverence for which only grows as the remaining stock continues to thin.

This whisky was distilled in 1990 and laid to rest in single sherry butt #6446 for 19 years before being bottled in 2009.

Released exclusively for the Whisky Magazine Japan's 10th anniversary of Whisky Live, held that year in London.

This bottle shows signs of leakage, Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any further leakage/damage caused whilst the bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Loss & Breakage Assurance. Collection is advised.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old / Old and Rare

One of Brora distillery's legendary 1972 vintages. This was bottled in 2002 by Douglas Laing for their Old & Rare range, when it was still part of their portfolio. The label has been bottled by Hunter Laing since 2013.

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) was built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1819. Prized by blenders, the distillery found itself in the hands of DCL in 1925 when they acquired shareholders, Ainslie & Heilbron and John Walker & Sons. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. Official bottlings of Brora did not appear until 1995, long after its closure, but independent bottlings like this were produced from the late 1980s. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19th May 2021.

One of 240 bottles.

Macallan 1952 Campbell Hope and King 80 Proof / Rinaldi Import

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.  

Macallan have only been bottling their own product since 1980, prior to which they licensed their branding to independent bottlers. The most prominent of these was Campbell, Hope & King, a brewer by trade but with a stake in the blending and bottling business through their premises in Elgin. They bottled near-annual vintage releases of the \"over 15 years old,\" as well as an 8 and 12 year old age-statement. These were predominantly produced for the booming Italian market for single malts in the 1960s, but are now located all over the world as absolute staple pieces in every serious whisky collection.

The 1952 vintage was bottled in 1968 and 1969.

Macallan 1965 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old / Giovinetti Import

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills. 

The distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

Ardbeg 1967 Signatory Vintage 30 Year Old / Dark Oloroso Butt #1138

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.

This whisky was distilled on 22nd March 1967 and aged in single ex-Dark Oloroso Butt #1138 for 30 years. It was bottled at cask strength on 24th March 1997.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

One of 580 bottles.