January 2025 Auction

Macallan 60 Year Old The Red Collection

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 impressive 60 year old was launched in October 2020 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 40, 50, 71, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.

The 60 year old was created by Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell and is presented in a oak box hand-crafted in the UK using the same European wood used to make Macallan casks. The interior of the box has been upholstered by Bridge of Weir using high quality, sustainably-sourced Scottish leather.

Macallan 1949 Tales of The Macallan Lalique Decanter / Volume 2

Volume II - Alexander Reid. Teacher, Farmer and Distiller.

Released in 2022, this is the second edition in the Tales of The Macallan series. The range celebrates the people and history behind the brand's iconic legacy.

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. 

Tales of The Macallan Volume II pays homage to Alexander Reid, founder of The Macallan. On Macallan's 200th anniversary year, this edition depicts Alexander as teacher, farmer and distiller.

This single malt was distilled in 1949 and bottled in 2022 by lead whisky maker, Euan Kennedy.

Concealed in an 800-page almanac book, this rare malt is presented in a beautiful handmade decanter produced by long-standing collaborator, master French crystal-maker, Lalique. The book itself is made of fine leather and decorated with gold. The responsibility of printing was handed to Imprimerie du Marais of Paris who used a specially developed paper for the project. While the almanac details the story of Captain John, illustrations by English artist Andrew Davidson are also included. Davidson's previous work has involved postage stamps for the UK's Royal Mail, the Harry Potter book-covers, and the glass doors at Wimbledon's Centre Tennis Court.

One of 350 decanters produced.

Please note - due to the size and weight of this lot it shall incur a ten bottle shipping fee

Macallan 77 Year Old The Red Collection

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 impressive 77 year old was bottled in October 2022 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 40, 50, 60, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.

The 77 year old is presented in a oak box hand-crafted in the UK using the same European wood used to make Macallan casks. The interior of the box has been upholstered by Bridge of Weir using high quality, sustainably sourced Scottish leather.

Please note: due to its size and weight, a five-bottle shipping fee will be applied to this lot.

Macallan 71 Year Old The Red Collection

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 impressive 71 year old was launched in October 2020 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 40, 50, 60, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.

The 71 year old was created by Whisky Maker, Sarah Burgess and is presented in a oak box hand-crafted in the UK using the same European wood used to make Macallan casks. The interior of the box has been upholstered by Bridge of Weir using high quality, sustainably sourced Scottish leather.

Please note: due to its size and weight, a five-bottle shipping fee will be applied to this lot.

Macallan 73 Year Old The Red Collection

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 impressive 73 year old was launched in 2024 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 40, 50, 60, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.

The 73 year old was created by Whisky Maker Javi Aznarez, and is presented in an oak box, hand-crafted in the UK using the same European wood used to make Macallan casks. The interior of the box has been upholstered by Bridge of Weir using high quality, sustainably sourced Scottish leather.

Please note: due to its size and weight, a five-bottle shipping fee will apply to this lot.

Bowmore 1966 Samaroli Bouquet

Islay's Bowmore distillery and renowned Italian bottler, the late Silvano Samaroli, are both legends in the world of the whisky. The 1966 Bouquet is the glittering supernova that is created when these two key elements of whisky history collide, at just the perfect moment in time. Regarded by many as the one of, if not the best whisky ever bottled, it is not often one of these absolute gems is brought to market.

The Bouquet is rated in first place on WhiskyBase.com's Top 1000 whiskies of all time, occasionally trading places only with another Samaroli epic, the Laphroaig 1967, also bottled for him by R.W. Duthie. Emmanuel Dron, whisky author and owner of the famous Auld Alliance bar in Singapore recently opened a bottle of the Bouquet for customers in that very venue, with enthusiasts and connoisseurs flocking from all over Asia to sample a drop of this liquid gold. And if you still need convincing, the seasoned palate of Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com awarded this Bowmore a staggering rating of 97 points. He writes:

\"Wow! Not an easy, sexy old Bowmore at all, almost a ‘bugger’ and you have to sort of tame it, but when you manage to do so, it’s just splendid. One of the very few total winners I’ve been lucky to be allowed to taste.\"

The coming together of this cask of Bowmore and Silvano Samaroli is one of those rare, chance meetings that go on to write the greatest stories. The aptly named Bouquet represents almost the resplendent blossoming of the long-growing Italian love affair with single malt Scotch whisky. Distilled in 1966, a golden era in production at Bowmore distillery, and the time when Armando Giovinetti was hard at work pushing single malt whisky in his native Italy. Samaroli founded his bottling company in Rome just two years later, in 1968. Giovinetti believed lighter, younger whisky, the Glen Grant 5 year old specifically, was best positioned to capture the hearts and taste buds of the Grappa favouring Italian public. The forward-thinking Samaroli had other ideas though. A kindred spirit with his contemporaries at W.M. Cadenhead, he believed wholeheartedly in the bottling of cask strength whisky, and Silvano's first releases were a collaborative effort with Scotland's oldest independent bottler. These were released in 1979, and were closely followed by the acclaimed Flowers series in 1981, a direct precursor to this, the Bouquet. The Flowers series, bottled with ornate illustrative labels (hand-drawn by Samaroli himself), were a sensation and finally provided Samaroli with the platform and audience he knew his whisky deserved, and in 1984, he rewarded their faith in his product with a whisky he felt they deserved, and it is possibly the greatest ever bottled.

One of 720 bottles.

 Karuizawa 1980-1982 Thousand Arrows Collection 3 x 70cl

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.

The Thousand Arrows boxed set was sold as 257 3-bottle boxed sets, with the remainder of the casks sold as individual bottling with slightly different label designs. 

• Karuizawa 1980 Bourbon Cask #8317 56.5% 70cl bottled 2015 One of 257 bottles
• Karuizawa 1981 Sherry Butt #6355 59.8% 70cl bottled 2015 One of 257 bottles
• Karuizawa 1982 Sherry Butt #2510 55.2% 70cl bottled 2015 One of 257 bottles

This lot contains an attractive black gloss display, with matching artwork.

Please note that there will be a shipping charge for 20 bottles associated with this lot.

Bowmore Arc 52 Year Old

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1995. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year prior (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements. 

The unique microclimate of the No.1 Vaults warehouse at Bowmore distillery means casks share very little with the angels, and has allowed the distillery to bottle some spectacular age-statements over the years. These early Morrison Bowmore era vintages are considered classics.

Presented in a numbered Bowmore x Aston Martin decanter, this whisky was matured for an extraordinary 52 years. It is a marriage of a single Sherry butt and a single American oak ex-Bourbon hogshead.

The decanter is presented in a display box and outer hardcase, which includes a book and magnetic key to assist with removing the lid of the decanter.

One of only 100 decanters.

Please note- due to the size and weight of this bottle and outer box, this lot will incur a fifteen bottle shipping fee.

Macallan 1950 Fine and Rare 52 Year Old #600

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 Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was launched in 2002, designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

Distilled in 1950 and bottled 52 years later from single cask #600. This is one of only two casks selected as the finest representations of the vintage.

• Unique Reference: bj7175
• Signed and dated by Lorraine Kerr on 6th September 2023

Please note: due to its size and weight, this lot will incur a three-bottle shipping fee.

Macallan 55 Year Old Six Pillars Collection / Japan

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.

An incredibly well-aged Macallan, bottled exclusively for the Japanese market.

This 55 year old Japanese Exclusive is part of exclusive Six Pillars Collection, a series of six bottles all denoting a different facet of what Macallan believes sets them apart. This release highlights the Exceptional Oak Casks pillar. The other five are Spiritual Home, Curiously Small Stills, Finest Cut, Natural Colour and Peerless Spirit.

One of 100 bottles.

Please note that this is not a part of the Lalique Six Pillars Collection, and is part of a separate Japanese exclusive series.

Please note due to the size and weight of this lot, it will carry a four-bottle shipping fee.

Hibiki 40 Year Old 

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is Suntory's most popular blend, the Hibiki. Launched in 1989, it contains malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from the Chita distillery. It was developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii, and is presented in a bottle with 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar. Unprecedented demand for Japanese whiskies in recent years have seen the discontinuation of most age-statements, and only a 21 year old and a 30 year old remain part of the Hibiki core range.

This 40 year old was released in 2024, and is the brand's oldest age statement blend to date. The blend is a vatting of whiskies matured in a combination of American oak, Spanish oak and Japanese Mizunara oak, including:

• Yamazaki 1978 malt whisky, matured in American oak
• Hakushu 1981 malt whisky, produced from peated spirit
• Chita 1979 grain whisky

Please note due to the size of this lot, it will carry a four-bottle shipping fee.

Hibiki 40 Year Old 

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is Suntory's most popular blend, the Hibiki. Launched in 1989, it contains malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from the Chita distillery. It was developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii, and is presented in a bottle with 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar. Unprecedented demand for Japanese whiskies in recent years have seen the discontinuation of most age-statements, and only a 21 year old and a 30 year old remain part of the Hibiki core range.

This 40 year old was released in 2024, and is the brand's oldest age statement blend to date. The blend is a vatting of whiskies matured in a combination of American oak, Spanish oak and Japanese Mizunara oak, including:

• Yamazaki 1978 malt whisky, matured in American oak
• Hakushu 1981 malt whisky, produced from peated spirit
• Chita 1979 grain whisky

Please note due to the size of this lot, it will carry a four-bottle shipping fee.

Hanyu 1985 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #1024 / The Joker 'Monochrome'

Since its stills were turned off in 2000, Hanyu has become one of Japan's most sought after single malts. An economic recession at the turn of the millennium forced the distillery to shut its doors, and the remaining casks of its unblended whisky stock were purchased by Venture Whisky, a firm established by the Hanyu distillery founder's grandson, Ichiro Akuto, in 2004. In 2005 he bottled his first single casks under the Ichiro's Malt label. He later cemented his legacy with the opening of the acclaimed Chichibu distillery, but his finest achievement will surely always be considered to be the Hanyu 'Card' series. The bottles are a collection of 58 releases, each displaying one of 52 playing cards on the label, two jokers, and a second batch of follow up releases to the original 2005 Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, King of Diamonds, and Jack of Clubs bottlings. Each unique in its own right, every one of these have become a true collector's piece and an important moment in the history Japanese whisky.

This is the final bottling in the series and is one of two Jokers released to complete the 58 bottle series; one in colour and one in black and white (monochrome).  This Monochrome Joker is arguably one of the rarest releases from Japan and is a fitting finale for this incredible series of whiskies.

The Monochrome Joker was distilled in 1985 and matured in a hogshead before a second period of maturation in a Mizunara cask #1024.  

One of 241 bottles.

Karuizawa 1968 Single Sherry Cask 50 Year Old #6223 / Water of Life

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 Karuizawa was distilled in 1968 and matured in single sherry butt #622 for an incredible 50 years. It was bottled in 2018, and is presented in an impressive wooden display case.

One of 248 bottles.

Please note due to the size and weight of this lot, it will carry an eight-bottle shipping fee.

Karuizawa 50 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #538 / Water of Life

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 incredible whisky has been aged for half a century in single ex-Sherry cask #538. It was bottled at cask strength in 2019.

One of 347 bottles.

This lot is subject to a 4 bottle shipping fee.

Karuizawa 50 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #538 / Water of Life

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 incredible Karuizawa has been matured for half a century in single sherry cask #538. It was bottled at cask strength in 2019.

One of 347 bottles.

This lot is subject to a 4 bottle shipping fee.

Macallan 1949 Millennium Decanter 50 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.  

This was released by Macallan to commemorate the turn of the millennium. This whisky is among the most desirable and sought after whiskies on the market, and represents the most luxurious of Macallan, not only in presentation and quality, but also in rarity and age.

This whisky was highly rated by Michael Jackson, the late whisky connoisseur and author, and remains a proud accomplishment of then Master Distiller, David Robertson. Bottled in May 1999, this Macallan 50 year old was crafted by marrying 3 butts that were filled on the same day, 14th January 1949.

Please note due to the size and weight of this lot, it will carry a six-bottle shipping fee.

Strathisla 1949 Gordon and MacPhail Private Collection

Speyside's oldest operating distillery, Strathisla was founded in 1786 as Milltown, and later renamed Milton in 1890. The distillery was an early advocate of its single malt, which it sold under the brand name Strathisla, after the river that runs past the site. Strathisla single malt was bottled as early as the late 19th century, and proved very popular. Nonetheless, by the 1940s it was struggling, needing to be rescued by Canadian giants Seagram, who bought it in 1950, renaming it Strathisla the following year, and tasking it as a key contributor to its Chivas blends. Despite this, the single malt brand remained a core part of the business, and remains so to this day.

Seagram licensed the distillery’s single malt brand to their Chivas Brothers blending operation, but also to Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. It is the latter’s bottles that are far more prominent. This good standing with the distillery has furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and, subsequently, high-quality releases.

Distilled in May 1949 and bottled in 2022 by Gordon and Macphail, who have opted to use the name 'Milton' as a tribute to the distillery's name at the time of the whisky's distillation.

Gordon & MacPhail is an Elgin-based family run business, established in 1895 and owned by the Urquhart family. They are perhaps best known for their independent bottlings of single malt, such as the instantly recognisable Connoisseurs Choice brand, and increasingly as distillers in their own right, having acquired Benromach distillery in 1993. The company also has a stake in the blending business though, and has produced a number of well-regarded products over the years.

Please note: Due to the size and weight this lot will incur a two bottle shipping fee

Highland Park 50 Year Old 2010 Release

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This incredibly rare bottling of Highland Park was bottled from a combination of five refill casks from 1960.  The casks were married together to 'harmonise' their flavours before being bottled, a process Highland Park calls 'cask harmonisation.'

The bottle has been designed by New York based Jeweller Maeve Gillies, who grew up in Edinburgh.  The bottle which is created from hand-crafted sterling silver is inspired by the forces of nature and in particular the sea, using her jewellery making expertise the bottle features a metallic 'net' design, a piece of Orkney sandstone carved with the Highland Park logo and a hidden silver replica of the Rose Window from St Magnus Cathedral.  

One of only 275 bottles produced.

The bottle design won World’s Best Design and Best Limited Edition at the 2012 World Whiskies Awards in London 

Please note - due to the size of this item, this lot will incur an ten-bottle shipping fee.

Macallan 1979 Fine and Rare 40 Year Old #2803

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 Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was launched in 2002, designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

This was distilled in 1979 and bottled in 2019 from refill sherry puncheon #2803.

• Unique code: o8la4j
• Signed and dated by M Murray on 30th October 2024.

Please note due to the size and weight of this lot, it will carry a four-bottle shipping fee.

Macallan 1977 Fine and Rare 40 Year Old 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.  

A fantastic example of old Macallan, the Fine and Rare Series of whiskies is designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

Distilled in 1977 and filled in to single sherry hogshead #8661 on 26th September. The whisky was then blotted at 40 years old in 2017.

\"The full, rich, classic Macallan body holds the supporting characters of sweet apples and vanillas, to give an all-encompassing whisky. A hint of peat in the background draws inspiration from The Macallan heritage, balanced with maturation in a smaller hogshead cask for a rich, yet delicate experience\" - Nick Savage, Macallan Master Distiller.

Unique Reference: yc0a2t.

Signed and dated by Lorraine Kerr, 14/05/2024.

Macallan 1978 Fine and Rare 39 Year Old #13810 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 Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was launched in 2002, designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

This expression was distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2018, from remade, refill cask #13810.

• Unique Reference: 2na9u5.
• Signed and dated on 09/10/2023 by Lorraine Kerr.

One of only 245 produced.

Macallan 1961 

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.  

Bottled in 2001, this is a precursor to the Macallan Fine & Rare series, which was launched the following year and borrowed heavily on the aesthetic used here. 

Distilled in 1961 and bottled from two sherry hogsheads, #1127 and #1581, this is certainly a fine and rare Macallan in its own right.

One of 379 bottles.

Macallan 40 Year Old The Red Collection 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.  

This impressive 40 year old was launched in October 2020 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 50, 60, 71, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.

The 40 year old was created by Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell and is presented in a oak box hand-crafted in the UK using the same European wood used to make Macallan casks. The interior of the box has been upholstered by Bridge of Weir using high quality, sustainably-sourced Scottish leather.

Please note: due to its size and weight, a five-bottle shipping fee will be applied to this lot.

Macallan 1979-1982 Gran Reserva Collection 4 x 70cl

The Gran Reserva bottlings from Macallan were released between 1997 and 2002. This is for the 1979 - 1982 vintage releases , this 18 year old Macallan is widely regarded as one of the most memorable and legendary bottles ever produced.

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.

• Distilled in 1979 and bottled in 1997.
• Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 1999
• Distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2000.
• Distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2002.

Please note: this lot will incur a four-bottle shipping fee.

Karuizawa 1971 Noh Single Cask 41 Year Old #1842 / Prineus 

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 series features different masks used in Noh, one of Japan's traditional performing arts. This image features the mask of the Noh character, Hannya, a sorrowful female serpent-demon.

This Karuizawa was distilled in 1971 and matured in single bourbon cask #1842. It was bottled at cask strength in 2013 for German Importer, Prineus.

One of just 82 bottles.

Macallan 1975 Fine and Rare 30 Year Old #8845

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 Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was launched in 2002, designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

This whisky was filled into single hogshead cask #8845 on 8th May 1975 and aged for 30 years.

• Unque Refference: y222tj
• Signed & Dated: A. Murray 8/6/06

Bowmore 1964 Gold Bowmore 44 Year Old

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

The unique microclimate of the No.1 Vaults warehouse at Bowmore distillery means casks share very little with the angels, and has allowed the distillery to bottle some spectacular age-statements over the years. These early Morrison Bowmore era vintages are considered classic in the whisky world.

Bottled in 2009 as the third and final instalment in this famous trilogy, the Gold Bowmore was matured in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, to provide a comparison to the more famous Oloroso casks.

One of 701 bottles.

Port Ellen 12 Year Old James MacArthur Cask Strength / 62.7%

James MacArthur & Co were founded in 1982 and are a no-frills independent label, focussed bringing lesser-seen and often closed distilleries to the market. Their simple approach and fine selection of cask strength and single cask whiskies has earned them an army of fans amongst connoisseurs across the world.

This is one of the rarest and most sought-after bottlings of Port Ellen, one of a handful of (fairly ordinary, on the surface) Scotch whiskies to have gained a near-mythical status simply due to the quality of the liquid.

Bottled a few years after the distillery's closure in 1983, this expression was released by James MacArthur at 12 years of age and at a typically high strength of 62.7%.  There is also a 'dark sherry' version of this release bottled at 59%, which has an equally fantastic reputation. 

This particular release scored an impressive 96 points from Serge Valentin on WhiskyFun.com.

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 have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt.

Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release Decade 1-6 / Globe Trotter with Prints

\"A whisky which celebrates the legacy of 007\"

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 following lot is for the complete 2022 James Bond 60th anniversary collection from Macallan. The set is presented in a luxurious travel case produced by Globe Trotter. This lot consists of the following:

• Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release Decade 1-6 43.7% 6 x 70cl - This is the complete six-bottle series that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the James Bond films in 2022. The packaging of each bottle displays production sketches used throughout the six decades of filmmaking.
• Globe Trotter Presentation / Travel Suitcase - Established in 1897, Globe Trotter is a luxury manufacture of travel luggage. They became famous for their high-quality craftsmanship and the use of a patented and sturdy Vulcanised Fibreboard lining in their suitcases; of which this example features. As you would expect, the case is well made and features fine leather tags, straps and strong lockable catches.
• Limited Archival Pigment Prints x 6 - These are six beautiful prints that feature the artwork used in the packaging for the James Bond releases. They are printed on smooth fine art paper which is made from 100% cotton (dimensions 60.5 x 41.65 cm)

One of only 300 sets produced.

Please note due to the weight and size of this lot, it will carry a twelve-bottle shipping fee.

Yamazaki 1993 Single Sherry Cask #3T70070 / LMDW

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. This one was distilled in 1993 and matured in single sherry butt #3T70070. It was bottled in 2012 for La Maison du Whisky in Paris.

Michter's 25 Year Old Single Barrel Rye 2011

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 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.

The first Michter's 25 year old rye release was in 2011.

Whiskey author Fred Minnick has confirmed in his book, Bourbon Curious that the source of Michter's later Kentucky labelled products is Brown-Forman, however these earlier releases remain a mystery.

One of 158 bottles.