June 2024 Auction

Macallan 1940 The Reach 81 Year Old

When released in February 2022, this eye-catching edition from the famous Speysider became the distillery's oldest official age-statement. Titled The Reach, the whisky was distilled in 1940 during the early days of the second world war and has seen a lengthy maturation period of 81 years in a single sherry-seasoned cask. 

As you would expect, the presentation showcases the highest quality of Scottish craftsmanship. The mouth-blown, glass decanter is displayed on a weighty plinth which was created by Scottish sculptor Saskia Robinson. This artwork features three bronze hands which are each a tribute to three people who helped to create the whisky. These include Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell, Allan Shiach who is the grandson of Dr. Allan Shiach who ran the distillery in 1940 and the distillery workers of the 1940s themselves.

The decanter and sculptor are housed in a well-crafted cabinet made with wood from a fallen elm tree. This tree is thought to have been on the Macallan Estate in 1940. A beautifully presented book which details the release is also included.

This is one of 288 decanters which also includes a professional flight-case.

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. 

• Please Note: Due to the size and weight of this total lot, collection is advised. If shipping is required, please contact Whisky Auctioneer to discuss.
• Please Note: This lot is not eligible for Whisky Auctioneer storage. The winning bidder must arrange for collection within 7 days of purchase.

Macallan 74 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 74 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 74 year old was created by Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess, 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 three-bottle shipping fee will apply to 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.

Macallan 78 Year Old The Red Collection

A truly historic moment from arguably the most famous name in Scotch whisky.

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 incredible 78 year old was launched in October 2020 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 40, 50, 60, 71, and 74 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 78 year old was created by Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess, 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.

Yamazaki 35 Year Old

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

This incredible Yamazaki was distilled between 1966 and 1970 and matured in unique 90 litre Spanish second fill sherry casks for an impressive 35 years. It was bottled in 2006, and remains one of the oldest releases the distillery have ever bottled.

Balvenie 1963 Single Cask 50 Year Old #4567

The following lot is for a truly stunning single cask from Balvenie. 

This is the first time David C Stewart has created a fifty year old marriage using some of Balvenie's oldest and rarest casks. Marrying casks which have passed 50 years in age, with varying tastes and liquid strengths, requires the application of all the skill and expertise David has amassed during his 55 years experience as The Balvenie Malt Master.

This incredible malt was distilled on 28th May 1963 and laid to rest in cask #4567 before being bottled on 20th March 2014.

From the Balvenie website: Fifty years on, the whisky in Cask 4567 has matured into a beautiful single malt with a deep reddish hue and exceptionally full taste, characterised by dark fruits and spice. It’s a wonderfully complex and elegant single malt; a perfect example of whisky aged for many years in European oak.

The bottle is presented in a beautiful wooden hand carved cylindrical case created by Scottish designer and craftsman Sam Chinnery.

Bottle 96 of 131.

Bowmore 1964 Fino Cask 37 Year Old 75cl

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.

This Bowmore was distilled on 5th November 1964 and matured in Fino Sherry casks for 37 years. It was bottled in 2002.

The bottle is displayed in an individual oak presentation case, hand crafted by the Master Cabinet Makers of Charles Kirkby & Sons of Sheffield, England. Each case has an individually numbered brass plaque which corresponds with the bottle number on the back label. 

One of just 300 produced.

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

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old 1st Edition

This famous bottling of Glenfiddich was bottled in 1991 and limited to an incredible 500 bottles. In the early 1990s one of these bottles officially became the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold at auction selling for 99,999,999 Lira in an Italian charity auction.

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

This release was restricted to only nine casks laid down in the 1930s, one cask for each of William Grant's nine children who helped build Glenfiddich distillery into the success that it has become today. The casks, four distilled in 1937, and five in 1939, were vatted on 4th April 1990 in single cask #3034 and married for one year before being bottled on the 26th July 1991.

Each bottle was signed by former Chairman Alexander Grant Gordon, who is also the great-grandson of the company's founder.

This bottle includes a certificate, stating that the owner of the bottle is to be appointed as a Freeman of Glenfiddich distillery.

Macallan 40 Year Old The Red Collection 2023 Release

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

The 40 year old was first 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. This is the 2023 Edition of the 40 year old.

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

Brora 1972 Rare Malts 22 Year Old / 60.02%

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.

Laphroaig 1970 Samaroli 14 Year Old / Osteria Apostoli

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

This is an incredibly rare 1970 vintage Laphroaig, bottled by R.W. Duthie in 1984 and exclusively reserved for the Osteria Apostoli in Milan. This is one of several releases, bottled alongside a Macallan, Bowmore and a Mortlach.

Laphroaig is the largest of the three heavyweight Islay distilleries in Kildalton, out-stripping the production capacity of neighbours, Ardbeg and Lagavulin, by over 1 million litres per annum. Despite its traditional appearance, Laphroaig was always a forward-thinking distillery. It was bottled as a single malt as early as the 1920s, an unfashionable option at the time, especially for a peated whisky. They were also shrewd in capitalising on post-Prohibition America to add trademark sweetness to their spirit through the use of imported ex-bourbon casks, and hired Scotland’s first ever female distillery manager, Bessie Williamson, in 1954. Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries in Scotland to still use in-house maltings, providing them with 20% of their annual requirements, and contributing to the distillery’s unique flavour profile.

It is worth noting that this bottle is not without its fair share of controversy. Indeed, there are examples of it in existence with two slightly different labels, each of which has the same information but presented with a different typeface. For a number of years it was widely considered that the bottle presented here was the genuine article, and the less common variation was inauthentic. A spanner was thrown in the works however by the discovery by Emmanuel Dron of the second label design in Silvano's archives. It was not apparently attached to any bottles however. Several bottles sourced directly from the Osteria's former-owner were also labelled with the same typeface as this bottle. The likelihood is that the label was reprinted for one reason or another, perhaps on account of the mis-spelling of \"Laphroaihg\" (although it is not correct on either), or to add the volume and strength measurements which are absent on the example printed in Dron's Collecting Scotch Whisky. Sadly there is no absolute clarity on the issue, however we are able to offer a strong degree of confidence. This bottle has a reassuring consistency in its presentation. The glass type, plastic capsule and cork top are the same material as those used by R.W. Duthie for this period, as is the paper stock of the label. A former owner has replaced the original tax strip, however the condition of the capsule beneath means that this is not a concern.

Macallan 1970 Samaroli 14 Year Old / Osteria Apostoli

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

This is an incredibly rare 1970 vintage Macallan, bottled by R.W. Duthie in 1984 and exclusively reserved for the Osteria Apostoli in Milan. This is one of several releases, bottled alongside a Laphroaig, Bowmore and a Mortlach.

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

Karuizawa 1972 Single Cask 40 Year Old #8833 / Golden Dragon

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 1972 and matured in single sherry butt #8833 for 40 years. It was bottled in 2012.

One of 267 bottles.

OFC 1916 Bottled in Bond Bourbon / Prohibition Era Bottling

A fantastic old Prohibition era bottling of Kentucky straight bourbon whisky. Although the Volstead Act of 1919 had banned the production and sale of alcohol throughout the US, a certain number of distilling companies were permitted to continue bottling existing stock, mostly for medicinal use, but also for weekly baking rations.

One such company was Schenley, organised in 1920 by Louis Rosenstiel as the Cincinnati Distributing Corp. It was one of just six companies granted a license by the US government to bottle medicinal whiskey, alongside Brown-Forman, Frankfort Distilleries, the A. Ph. Stitzel distillery, the American Medicinal Spirits Company, and James Thompson & Brother. In the same year, Rosenstiel acquired the Joseph S. Finch distillery in Pennsylvania, its stock and its Golden Wedding brand, which would go onto become one of the flagship labels of Schenley in the 20th century. In 1922, Rosenstiel met Winston Churchill while holidaying in France, and the future British Prime Minister advised him to begin preparing for the eventuality that the unpopular Prohibition act would be repealed. Rosenstiel then spent the next decade accruing assets in the whiskey industry and by the time his foresight finally paid off in 1933, Schenley were the owners of numerous distilleries including George T. Stagg, James E. Pepper, and the Squibb distillery in Indiana. They added the famous Bernheim distillery to the portfolio in 1937, and the year prior made their first play in the Scotch market by becoming the US distributor for John Dewar & Sons. Rosenstiel's spirits empire dominated much of the market share of American whiskey for the next forty years through brands like I.W. Harper and Cream of Kentucky, before he sold his controlling stake to the Glen Alden company in 1968. He passed away eight years later, and in 1987, Schenley was bought over by United Distillers, newly formed through a merger of the Distillers Company Ltd (DCL) and Arthur Bell & Sons after both were acquired by Guinness that year.

This is the O.F.C. brand bourbon, distilled and bottled at George T. Stagg distillery, better known today as Buffalo Trace.

A historic distillery, Buffalo Trace was built in 1812 Harrison Blanton. It was then purchased by the legendary Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr in 1870, who named it OFC (Old Fashioned Copper) after which this brand was named, and invested heavily in its modernisation. So much so in fact that he declared himself bankrupt after just seven years, and George T. Stagg stepped in to rescue it, becoming its owner in 1878. He ran the distillery until his retirement in the 1890s, and it was renamed in his honour in 1904. Having survived Prohibition, it was bought up by the Schenley company in 1933, who ran it as part of their extensive portfolio for the next fifty years, eventually selling it to Age International. The latter's new Japanese ownership in 1992 had no interest in it (only in its brands), and immediately sold it to the Sazerac company, who renamed it Buffalo Trace in 1999.

Karuizawa 1980 Noh Single Cask 32 Year Old #7614

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This series features different masks used in Noh, one of Japan's traditional performing arts. This image features the mask of the Noh character, Shunkan, a priest exiled after being betrayed and exposed as plotting against the government.

This limited release was distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2012.

Produced from single cask #7614, which yielded only 102 bottles.

Taiwan Exclusive.

Bottled at cask strength.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 30 Year Old 2nd 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 second release of three, bottled in 1994. 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.

One of 2,000 bottles. 

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #7427 

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

This limited bottling was distilled in 1981 and bottled after 35 years in the cask. Cask number #7427 yielded only 208 bottles.

Springbank 1966 Sherry Cask 24 Year Old #443 / Local Barley 

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts. 

This is one of a select number of releases produced using malted barley harvested from neighbouring farms in the Campbeltown area. They were first introduced in the late 1980s, and were eventually re-named as the Local Barley series in the 2000s.

This Springbank was distilled in January 1966 and matured in single Sherry cask #443 for 24 years. It was bottled in June 1990.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #6355

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 obtaain 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.

One of the three bottles which make up the iconic 1980/1981/1982 Samurai Set.

This edition was distilled in 1981 and matured in single sherry butt #6355. It was bottled at cask strength in 2015.

One of only 97 bottles.

Michter's Celebration Sour Mash 2022 Release 70cl

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.

First bottled in 2013, the Celebration Sour Mash is a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskies of undosclosed origin, aged over 30 years. 

The 2022 release resulted in 328 bottles.

Michter's Celebration Sour Mash 2022 Release 70cl

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.

First bottled in 2013, the Celebration Sour Mash is a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskies of undosclosed origin, aged over 30 years. 

The 2022 release resulted in 328 bottles.

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

Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Collection Sherry Wood Full Proof

This is one of Silvano Samaroli's earliest forays into the realm of independent bottling, following his successful collaboration with Cadenhead's in 1979. This was bottled in the same year. Having previously been the official Italian distributor for Glen Garioch, Samaroli had great access to top quality casks and it shows here. This is technically a distillery bottling, titled the Samaroli Collection. It was imported in 1979 and 1980 by the distillery's new Italian agent, Lemar.

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

This is the first of two 1971 vintage Glen Garioch released by Silvano, this one bottled at full proof. The second was single cask homage to this, bottled much later in 1997 at a lighter 43%.

One of of 2,280 bottles.

Caol Ila 1968 Gordon and MacPhail 17 Year Old Cask Strength

Caol Ila distillery was built in 1846 by Hector Henderson, who was bought out from the venture a little over 10 year later by Bulloch Lade. The blending firm merged with DCL (now Diageo) in 1927, who still run the distillery today. In 1972 the original site was demolished and replaced by a new one. When distilling resumed in 1974, Caol Ila was the largest producer of single malt on the Isle of Islay. Despite this, due to its importance in popular blends such as Johnnie Walker, its single malt brand disappeared under United Distillers, and it was not until 2002 that it would return, when the 12 year old was revived by Diageo. The Flora & Fauna release was well-regarded in the meantime, but it was independent releases like this that gave the best opportunity to sample this much-loved single malt.

This Caol Ila was distilled in 1968 and bottled 17 years later at cask strength.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market. It was initially created for renowned Italian importer, Edoardo Giaccone in the early 1970s, but became a mainstay of the core Gordon & MacPhail portfolio in 1979.

Karuizawa 1980 Noh Single Sherry Cask 32 Year Old #7614

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 1980 and matured in single sherry butt #7614 for 32 years. It was bottled in 2012 as part of the Noh Whisky series.

The Noh Whisky series was a pioneering collaboration between Karuizawa distillery and Noh theatre. Noh is one of Japan’s traditional performing arts, and each release carries a mask used in performing. This cask carries the Ikkaku-sennin mask, used to portray a horned wizard character.

One of 102 bottles.

Chivas Royal Salute 50 Year Old Coronation Cask

The first Chivas Regal blend was launched by Chivas Brothers in 1909, a premium brand that quickly developed a big market in the US. While Prohibition put a temporary halt to its success ten years later, it also allowed Canadian distillers, Seagram, to become the biggest drinks company in North America, and they targeted Chivas Brothers straight away when buying into the Scotch market. They acquired the firm in 1949, adding Strathisla to its portfolio, and building a further three more distilleries. Over the years they also acquired the assets of Campbell Distillers and The Glenlivet Distillers, positioning it as one of the largest whisky companies in Scotland. The Seagram empire eventually collapsed in the early 2000s, with its Chivas Brothers arm picked up by Pernod-Ricard, along with Allied Domecq in a separate acquisition, bringing over the Ballantine's brand. Chivas now produces two of the top three selling blends in the world, and its distillery portfolio, with Glenlivet as its flagship brand, is rivalled only by that of Diageo.

Created by master blender, Charles H Julian, the Royal Salute was launched in 1953 as a tribute to the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II. This elegant 50 year old decanter commemorates the 50th anniversary her coronation.

Presented with a signed letter from Colin Scott dated 2003.

One of 255 bottles.
 

Chichibu, Hanyu & Karuizawa Premium Collection 3 x 70cl / SAFE Bubbles & Malt

An incredibly rare set of Japanese whiskies that include three of the heavyweight names of the industry. This Premium Collection was produced for whisky merchants SAFE Bubbles and Malt of Hong Kong. 

• Chichibu 2009 Single Cask #640 61.6% 70cl one of 214 bottles

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

• Hanyu 2000 Single Cask #955 60.0% 70cl one of 295 bottles

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.

• Karuizawa 35 Year Old Single Bourbon Cask #8185 55.1% 70cl one of 137 bottles

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 lot will include a three bottle shipping fee.

Macallan Distil Your World London 

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 limited-edition release has been produced by Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner alongside the Roca brothers of the world-famous restaurant El Celler de Can Roca of Girona, Spain. The restaurant opened in 1986 and since then has twice been named best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine. Altho the Roca brothers have never felt the need to open more restaurants in different locations, they do occasionally take their cuisine on tour via temporary \"pop-ups\". Some of these locations have included the city of London to which this release is dedicated to.

The whisky has been aged in six first-fill European oak Oloroso seasoned casks and bottled at cask strength. The bottle is presented in a stunning display case which features a 3D triangular design and a hidden compartment containing a book which details the release.

One of 2,000 bottles which originally went on sale in Autumn 2020.

Springbank 40 Year Old Millennium Limited Edition

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This was bottled in September 1999 for the Millennium as part of a range of 6 bottles. 

The set comprised whiskies bottled at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years. 

Springbank 1966 Sherry Cask 24 Year Old #441 / Local Barley

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts. 

This is one of a select number of releases produced using malted barley harvested from neighbouring farms in the Campbeltown area. They were first introduced in the late 1980s, and were eventually re-named as the Local Barley series in the 2000s.

This whisky was distilled in 1966 and aged in single sherry cask #441 before being bottled in 1990.

Glenfarclas 53 Year Old Single Sherry Cask

Glenfarclas is considered by many to be one of the finest distilleries in Speyside. Its direct-fired stills produce a heavy single malt that is almost exclusively matured in Jerez sherry casks. The distillery focuses on single malt over blends, and a cool microclimate around the distillery that means that their casks are particularly stingy to the \"angels,\" resulting in an incredible depth of stock. Glenfarclas also feel they share some credit for the modern day love of cask strength whisky, introducing their acclaimed 105 proof expressions back in 1968.

This impressively-presented Glenfarclas has been matured in a single first-fill sherry cask for 53 years, and is one of only 168 decanters. 

Glenfarclas 53 Year Old Single Sherry Cask

Glenfarclas is considered by many to be one of the finest distilleries in Speyside. Its direct-fired stills produce a heavy single malt that is almost exclusively matured in Jerez sherry casks. The distillery focuses on single malt over blends, and a cool microclimate around the distillery that means that their casks are particularly stingy to the \"angels,\" resulting in an incredible depth of stock. Glenfarclas also feel they share some credit for the modern day love of cask strength whisky, introducing their acclaimed 105 proof expressions back in 1968.

This impressively-presented Glenfarclas has been matured in a single first-fill sherry cask for 53 years, and is one of only 168 decanters. 

Karuizawa 1995 Noh Single Wine Cask 14 Year Old #5039 / Dr Jekyll's Pub

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 a Noh character from a play by the Kamiasobi troupe.

Bottled at cask strength exclusively for Dr Jekyll's Pub in Oslo, this limited bottling was distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2009. Produced from single wine cask #5039, which yielded only 222 bottles.