July 2022 Auction

Brora Triptych 3 x 50cl

A spectacular release which was produced to celebrate the reopening of the Brora distillery in 2021.

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 19^th May 2021.

Titled Triptych, the set includes three malts which each represent a different and iconic style of spirit from the distillery. It includes:

• Brora 1972 48 Year Old The Elusive Legacy 42.8% 50cl
• Brora 1977 43 Year Old The Age of Peat 48.6% 50cl
• Brora 1982 38 Year Old Timeless Original 47.5% 50cl

The bottles are presented in an impressive wooden presentation case which includes three weighty decanter stoppers for each of the bottles. It also carries a small book which details each of the whiskies in this beautiful release.

One of 300 sets.

Due to the size and weight of this item, it will include a sixteen-bottle shipping fee.

Bowmore 1965 Single Cask 42 Year Old #811 / Premier Range - One of 57

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.

This incredible single malt was distilled in 1965 and aged in single hogshead #811 before being bottled on 29th January 2008.

One of just 57 bottles produced exclusively for World Duty Free.

Bowmore 40 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.

This whisky was aged for 40 years. 

One of 161 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore Final Edition

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 classics, particualrly this parcel of 1964 vintage sherry casks. Indeed, it is hard to fathom where whisky collecting would be today without the Black Bowmore. 

This is the final release of three, bottled in 1995. The Black Bowmore not just a whisky but a true artefact from the history of the spirit, representing a turning point for single malts. Appearing at a zenith in the popularity of sherry-casked whisky, which was for the first time creating a fashionable buzz around single malt whiskies, seeing it replace cognac as the after dinner drink of choice at banqueting tables, and customers now willing to pay the heady sum of £120 for a bottle. We may look back and scoff at this now but this was a princely fee back in the early 90's when the Black Bowmore was first stocked by Oddbins in the UK.

This is bottle number 1311 of 1812.

Bowmore 1969 Single Cask #6638 / Fecchio & Frassa Import

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.

This is part of an incredibly rare series of single cask Bowmore bottled in the late 1970s for customers of Fecchio & Frassa Import in Italy.

This whisky was distilled in 1969 and aged in single cask #6638 before being bottled in April 1978.

One of 300 bottles.

Brora 1972 Rare Malts 22 Year Old / 58.7%

The Rare Malts Selection was a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005. As with the Flora & Fauna series, they were often from lesser-seen single malt distilleries.

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.

When Brora was re-opened in 1969 it was to produce heavily peated spirit to make up for a shortfall of Islay whisky after a drought on the island. Brora vintages from 1973 onwards reverted to the lightly peated Highland style. Many of the bottlings of this brief period of heavily peated vintages are legendary.

Although an extensive series of annual releases was to follow, the Rare Malts Selection were the first official distillery bottlings to bear the Brora name.

Black Maple Hill 16 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon / KBD

Black Maple Hill is owned by Californian company, CVI Brands. They do not own a distillery and contract the bottling of the brand to outside sources, initially with Julian Van Winkle in 2000, and then Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, who produced this.

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and this Black Maple Hill brand. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

KBD eventually had to reserve their warehoused stocks for their own popular Willett Family Reserve brand, so CVI have been sourcing their from the Stein distillery in Oregon since 2014.

Bowmore 1973 43 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.

A 2016 super-premium bottling,this is a vatting the last 6 remaining bourbon hogsheads from 1973, and joined the ranks of some impressive bottles from that vintage. 

Casks 3883-3888 were distilled on the 10th of May 1973 and bottled on the 2nd of June 2016 at a staggering 43 years old.

Due to the strip of ribbon on this bottle not travelling well, Bowmore wax dipped some of the seals.

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. 

Bowmore 1966 Whiskyfreunde Essenheim

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

The 1960s was a classic era for production at Bowmore, and this was distilled there in 1966.

Cask #3305 was supplied by Duncan Taylor to Whiskyfreunde Essenheim, and was bottled in December 2002.

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. 

Bowmore 1966 Duncan Taylor 40 Year Old

Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow in 1938 as a cask broker and trading company. Its modern history began in 2001 when a former Glendronach employee, Euan Shand, purchased the firm and moved it to Huntly in Aberdeenshire, using the impressive cask portfolio it has amassed over the 20th century to become one of the premier independent bottlers in Scotland.

This Bowmore was distilled in May 1966 and bottled by Duncan Taylor in May 2006 from single cask #3317. 

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

One of 171 bottles.

Bowmore 1974 Hanseatische Weinhandelsgesellschaft 10th Anniversary 2 Litre

An incredible 2 litre bottling of 1974 Bowmore bottled for  the 10 year anniversary Hanseatische Weinhandelsgesellschaft

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.

One of 120 bottles filled in 1984.

Bowmore 1973 Kingsbury 25 Year Old

Kingsbury are Japan's most sought after independent bottler. They were founded in 1989 by Eaglesome, the high-end deli in Campbeltown that was purchased by J & A Mitchell & Co of Springbank distillery, and turned into one of the region's finest whisky merchants. They initially bottled Kingsbury's exclusively for the Japanese market, before the label was acquired by native firm, the Japanese Import System. They have released a number of some of the most collectible whiskies, including this classic vintage from Bowmore, and two dark sherry casked Ardbeg.

This Bowmore was matured in ex-bourbon cask #3172 before bottling at 25 years old. This particular release scored an impressive 93 points on WhiskyFun.com

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

Bruichladdich 1965 Cask Strength 10 Year Old / Samaroli Import

An incredibly rare and interesting bottle of 1965 vintage Bruichladdich.

This is an official distillery bottling for Silvano Samaroli, and represents the genesis of his transition from simple importer, to independent bottler. After a visit to Scotland in the 1970s, Silvano met with the Managing Director of Bruichladdich, a Mr Blake, and after an inspiring discussion, he selected his first two casks for bottling. They were both sherry matured 10 year olds, and which he bottled for this release in 1975, at their combined natural cask strength of 95 imperial proof, around 58% ABV. These bottlings were all hand-signed by Silvano on their back label.

Inspired by these releases, Samaroli went on to produce his very first independent bottlings in 1979, a collaboration with Cadenhead's. The rest is history, but it might not have been were it not for this spectacular Bruichladdich.

Like its island neighbour Bunnahabhain distillery, Bruichladdich has traditionally been an un-peated single malt, mostly owing to its requirements by the blenders who owned it. The last of these was Whyte & Mackay, who eventually shut it down in 1995, deeming it surplus to requirements. They sold the distillery to Murray McDavid in 2001, who launched the peated Port Charlotte and heavily-peated Octomore single malts in 2006 and 2008. A recommissioned Lomond still also now produces the popular Botanist gin there.

Bowmore 1964 Bicentenary 

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.

Released in early 1979, this legendary bottling of Bowmore contains whisky vatted from a selection of casks distilled in 1964.  This Bicentenary release is widely considered to be one of the best Bowmore ever bottled.

The selected casks were all matured exclusively in Bowmore's famous No.1 Vault, the original warehouse at the distillery, which dates back to 1779. The bottle, bearing the Morrison clan coat of arms, is a replica of a hand blown decanter.

Please note that there is a design flaw with all Bowmore Bicentenary bottles. The cork is very thin and held in place by the wax, the wax is also soluble in whisky. This can create issues in transit where a bottle with no issues can start to leak, Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any leakage/damage caused whilst the bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Risk Free Shipping. Collection is advised.

Bowmore 1969 Sherry Casks

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. 

A1980s bottling, this was distilled back in 1969 and bottled from sherry casks. The 1960s vintages produced following the takeover of the distillery are regarded by many as some of the finest whisky ever produced.

Bowmore 1965 Intertrade 20 Year Old

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Rimini. The company was a collaboration with beer distributors, the Turatello Brothers, and the Intertrade name appears on Fiori's bottlings up to around 1989. Fiori selected his whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail catalogue, but as a collector himself, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi, he knew the importance striking label designs and requested many of his bottlings at cask strength. Whether under the Intertrade, Turatello or High Spirits banner, Fiori's bottlings are some of the most sought after on the market.

This is a rare vintage Bowmore, distilled 8th February 1965 and bottled in November 1985 for Intertrade by Gordon & MacPhail.

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

Bowmore 1972 Cask Strength 27 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.

This is the rare cask strength version of the 1972 27 year old, matured in 3 single casks at said famous Bowmore Vaults on Islay.

One of only 466 bottles produced from casks #4864, #4865 and #4866.

Bowmore 1968 Signatory Vintage 31 Year Old Millennium Edition

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.

This 1968 vintage Bowmore was bottled in 1999 as part of the company's Millennium Edition range.

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

Bowmore 1968 Duncan Taylor 37 Year Old

Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow in 1938 as a cask broker and trading company. Its modern history began in 2001 when a former Glendronach employee, Euan Shand, purchased the firm and moved it to Huntly in Aberdeenshire, using the impressive cask portfolio it has amassed over the 20th century to become one of the premier independent bottlers in Scotland.

This whisky was distilled in February 1968 and aged for 37 years.

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

One of 182 bottles.

Bowmore 1968 Duncan Taylor 37 Year Old

Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow in 1938 as a cask broker and trading company. Its modern history began in 2001 when a former Glendronach employee, Euan Shand, purchased the firm and moved it to Huntly in Aberdeenshire, using the impressive cask portfolio it has amassed over the 20th century to become one of the premier independent bottlers in Scotland.

This whisky was distilled in October 1968 and aged in single cask #3823 for 37 years.

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

One of 158 bottles.

Bowmore 1969 Duncan Taylor 32 Year Old 

Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow in 1938 as a cask broker and trading company. Its modern history began in 2001 when a former Glendronach employee, Euan Shand, purchased the firm and moved it to Huntly in Aberdeenshire, using the impressive cask portfolio it has amassed over the 20th century to become one of the premier independent bottlers in Scotland.

This whisky was distilled in November 1969 and aged for 32 years.

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

One of 252 bottles.

Bowmore 1969 Duncan Taylor 33 Year Old 

Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow in 1938 as a cask broker and trading company. Its modern history began in 2001 when a former Glendronach employee, Euan Shand, purchased the firm and moved it to Huntly in Aberdeenshire, using the impressive cask portfolio it has amassed over the 20th century to become one of the premier independent bottlers in Scotland.

This whisky was distilled in November 1969 and aged in single cask #6085 for 33 years. 

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

One of 238 bottles.

Bowmore Bicentenary /Soffiantino Import 

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.

One of two Bicentenary bottlings that were released in early 1979, this is the multi-vintage version, a legendary bottling of Bowmore thast contains whisky vatted from a selection of casks distilled in the 1950s and 1960s, with the earliest distillate being from 1950. 

The selected casks were all matured exclusively in Bowmore's famous No.1 Vault, the original warehouse at the distillery, which dates back to 1779.

The bottle, bearing the Morrison clan coat of arms, is a replica of a hand blown decanter.

Please note that there is a design flaw with all Bowmore Bicentenary bottles. The cork is very thin and held in place by the wax, the wax is also soluble in whisky. This can create issues in transit where a bottle with no issues can start to leak, Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any leakage/damage caused whilst the bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Risk Free Shipping. Collection is advised.

Bowmore Bicentenary

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.

One of two Bicentenary bottlings that were released in early 1979, this is the multi-vintage version, a legendary bottling of Bowmore thast contains whisky vatted from a selection of casks distilled in the 1950s and 1960s, with the earliest distillate being from 1950. 

The selected casks were all matured exclusively in Bowmore's famous No.1 Vault, the original warehouse at the distillery, which dates back to 1779.

The bottle, bearing the Morrison clan coat of arms, is a replica of a hand blown decanter.

Please note that there is a design flaw with all Bowmore Bicentenary bottles. The cork is very thin and held in place by the wax, the wax is also soluble in whisky. This can create issues in transit where a bottle with no issues can start to leak, Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any leakage/damage caused whilst the bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Risk Free Shipping. Collection is advised.

Benriach 1968 Single Cask 37 Year Old #2712

Benriach is a distillery with long-standing transatlantic connections. It was procured by Seagram in 1978, the former Canadian drinks empire, and is now in the hands of the Brown-Forman corporation, via Billy Walker who rescued it from a brief mothballing in 2002. Walker bottled some of the peated whisky that Seagram had begun producing there for its blends in 1983, and the positive reaction to these means the distillery now produces both a peated and unpeated single malt. Benriach is one of only seven distilleries in Scotland to still operate its own in-house floor maltings. An older style bottling of the Speyside distillery's 10 year old malt. 

This whisky was distilled in 1968 and laid to rest in single hogshead #2712 for 37 years before being bottled in June 2006.

One of 157 bottles.

Benriach 1976 Single Cask 34 Year Old #3029 / Shinanoya

Benriach is a distillery with long-standing transatlantic connections. It was procured by Seagram in 1978, the former Canadian drinks empire, and is now in the hands of the Brown-Forman corporation, via Billy Walker who rescued it from a brief mothballing in 2002. Walker bottled some of the peated whisky that Seagram had begun producing there for its blends in 1983, and the positive reaction to these means the distillery now produces both a peated and unpeated single malt. Benriach is one of only seven distilleries in Scotland to still operate its own in-house floor maltings. An older style bottling of the Speyside distillery's 10 year old malt. 

A single cask release, this was distilled in 1976 and bottled in March  2011 from hogshead #3029.

One of 139 bottles filled for Shinanoya.

Bowmore 1971 Sestante 18 Year Old / 40%

A spectacular 1971 bottling of Bowmore which appears to have been matured in sherry casks, bottled by the renowned Italian importer, Sestante.

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 in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Brora 30 Year Old 2002 Inaugural Release

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.

The Rare Malts Selection releases were there followed by an annual distillery bottling as part of the Diageo Special Releases each year, beginning in 2002, with the last one in 2017.

This 30 year old is the inaugural 2002 release and the first Brora bottled using its own single malt brand.

One of 3,000 bottles.

Bowmore Bicentenary

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.

One of two Bicentenary bottlings that were released in early 1979, this is the multi-vintage version, a legendary bottling of Bowmore thast contains whisky vatted from a selection of casks distilled in the 1950s and 1960s, with the earliest distillate being from 1950. 

The selected casks were all matured exclusively in Bowmore's famous No.1 Vault, the original warehouse at the distillery, which dates back to 1779.

The bottle, bearing the Morrison clan coat of arms, is a replica of a hand blown decanter.

Please note that there is a design flaw with all Bowmore Bicentenary bottles. The cork is very thin and held in place by the wax, the wax is also soluble in whisky.

Bunnahabhain 1968 Auld Acquaintance 34 Year Old

An austere piece of Victorian architecture on the north-east coast of Islay, Bunnahabhain is a relative outsider on the island, traditionally known for producing an un-peated single malt. The majority of this was used for blending, as was its initial intended purpose. The distillery was shut for 2 years in 1982 following the market downturn of the period, and despite being revived at low production, it was eventually officially bottled as a single malt later that decade, with the self-deprecating tag-line, \"the un-pronounceable malt.\"

Distilled on Hogmanay (31st December) 1968 this rare limited edition Bunnahabhain was bottled in 2002.  It has been highly acclaimed receiving 93 points from Serge Valentin on WhiskyFun.com

This is now a very sought-after bottle and is increasingly difficult to find with only 2,002 bottles released.