November 2022 Auction

North Port-Brechin 1970 Douglas Laing 33 Year Old / Old and Rare

The Brechin distillery was built in 1820 by the Guthrie family, who changed its named to North Port at some point later that century. It was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) in 1922, who closed it down six years later. Production briefly resumed for two years before the war, but it was not until 1945 that regular distilling recommenced. North Port was one of the nine distilleries closed by DCL in 1983 after a market downturn meant their blends were oversupplied. It never re-opened and the site now houses a supermarket. Its single malt is very rare, and was never officially bottled in its lifetime. Diageo have produced only a handful of distillery bottlings, the first of which were in the Rare Malts Selection. Rare and increasingly sought after independent releases like this have also appeared over the years though.

This whisky was distilled in 1970 and aged for 33 years.

Douglas Laing & Co was established in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, affectionately known as “FDL.” The company started out as a blending business, but over time their focus shifted towards independently bottlings single malts. Fred died in 1982, leaving the business to his two sons, Stewart and Fred Jr, who eventually carved it up in 2013, with Stewart leaving to establish Hunter Laing. Fred Jr and his daughter Cara now run Douglas Laing, which continues to bottle single malt and has also revived its blending business. Additionally, the company has recently moved into distilling as well, announcing plans to construct the new Clutha distillery in Glasgow, and taking over Strathearn in Perthshire in 2019.

This is part of the premium Old & Rare series. Launched in 2001, it was bottled by Douglas Laing until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

One of 479 bottles.

North British 1962 Sirius 49 Year Old

Prior to 1885, Scottish blenders were only able to acquire grain whisky from DCL. This changed when the firms of John Crabbie, Andrew Usher, William Sanderson and John Watson collaborated to open the North British distillery in Edinburgh. Production began two years later on a single coffey still, and the distillery continued to grow, flourishing in the post-war period. In 1993 it was taken over by Lothian Distillers, a partnership between IDV and Robertson & Baxter, the modern iterations of which, Diageo and Edrington, retain a controlling stake in today. Occasional distillery bottlings have appeared over the years, but the majority of examples of its single grain come from independent labels like this.

A single cask, this was bottled by Sirius Whisky Purveyors. It was distilled in 1962 and then filled into cask number #44.

Nathan Stone's Private Stock 105 Proof

A very rare bourbon produced exclusively for the Japanese market.

Nathan Stone's was selected and bottled by Julian Van Winkle III at Old Commonwealth distillery in Lawrenceburg in 1992. This is presented in original box and velvet bag. Although nothing has been officially stated, Van Winkle is said to have confirmed the source of this whiskey to be the old Heaven Hill in Bardstown, aged around 4 years.

Heaven Hill was established by a group of private investors in 1935, following the repeal of Prohibition a few years earlier. Among the founders was distiller, Joseph L. Beam, and a member of the Shapira family. As the company grew, the Shapira's eventually acquired sole ownership of it, and their descendants still run it today. In a similar dynastic vein, Joe Beam remained master distiller despite the Shapira takeover, and members of his family have occupied the role ever since. This was produced at the Old Heavenhill Springs distillery, later renamed simply as Heaven Hill, which was located in Bardstown, Kentucky. It was sadly lost in a devastating fire in 1996, and bourbon made there has become increasingly sought after as the years pass. The company had no distillery for the next three years, but were permitted to rent stills at Jim Beam and Brown-Forman in order to maintain production. They eventually acquired the newly refurbished Bernheim distillery from Diageo in 1999, which has been their home ever since.

Nikka Coffey Grain 2000 Single Cask #231298

Nikka Coffey grain was originally produed at Nikka's Nishinomiya distillery in Kansai before being moved to Miyagikyo, Sendai in 1999. 

Miyagikyo was built in 1969 by the Nikka Whisky company. Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Miyagikyo is primarily a malt distillery, but now also produces Nikka’s grain whisky after it moved the Nishinomaya coffey stills there in the 1999.

This single cask was distilled in November 2000 and bottled in July 2012.

Nikka Coffey Grain 1999 Single Cask #209719

Nishinomaya is part of the Nikka Whisky portfolio. It was opened in 1959 and was originally tasked with grain whisky production for the company’s blends. Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. The distillery also produced some malt whisky however, but both ceased in 1999 when its coffey stills were moved to Miyagikyo. It is now operated as a distribution centre.

This was bottled in July 2014.

North Port 1970 Gordon and MacPhail Miniature 5cl 

The Brechin distillery was built in 1820 by the Guthrie family, who changed its named to North Port at some point later that century. It was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) in 1922, who closed it down six years later. Production briefly resumed for two years before the war, but it was not until 1945 that regular distilling recommenced. North Port was one of the nine distilleries closed by DCL in 1983 after a market downturn meant their blends were oversupplied. It never re-opened and the site now houses a supermarket. Its single malt is very rare, and was never officially bottled in its lifetime. Diageo have produced only a handful of distillery bottlings, the first of which were in the Rare Malts Selection. Rare and increasingly sought after independent releases like this have also appeared over the years though.

This was distilled in 1970 and bottled within Connoisseur's Choice range.

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.

North Port-Brechin 1974 Gordon and MacPhail 

The Brechin distillery was built in 1820 by the Guthrie family, who changed its named to North Port at some point later that century. It was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) in 1922, who closed it down six years later. Production briefly resumed for two years before the war, but it was not until 1945 that regular distilling recommenced. North Port was one of the nine distilleries closed by DCL in 1983 after a market downturn meant their blends were oversupplied. It never re-opened and the site now houses a supermarket. Its single malt is very rare, and was never officially bottled in its lifetime. Diageo have produced only a handful of distillery bottlings, the first of which were in the Rare Malts Selection. Rare and increasingly sought after independent releases like this have also appeared over the years though.

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.

Navarre Grande Fine Champagne Lot NR79 Cognac

 Distilled in 1979 on the eleven-acre estate in Gondeville of the Grande Champagne in France.

Navarre Grande Fine Champagne Lot NR70 Cognac

 Distilled in 1970 on the eleven-acre estate in Gondeville of the Grande Champagne in France.

Navarre Grande Fine Champagne Lot NR81 Cognac

 Distilled in 1981 on the eleven-acre estate in Gondeville of the Grande Champagne in France.

Nc'nean 2017 Single Tequila Cask #329 / Selfridges

\"AON means one in Gaelic and represents our collection of single cask bottlings.\"

The idea for Nc'nean distillery was conceived in 2012 by Annabel Thomas and her family, who had acquired the Drimnin Estate on the Morvern Peninsula of Scotland's west coast just 10 years prior. The following year, Annabel Thomas left her job in London to build the distillery from the ground up. As manger and CEO she secured nearly £7.5m throughout two rounds of fundraising, and work began on building the distillery from scratch in 2014. It was designed by the legendary late Dr. Jim Swan, and the first spirit ran from its stills in March 2017. The name, pronounced [nc-nee-an] is an abbreviation of Neachneohain, a figure from Gaelic folk legend known as the Queen of the Spirits.

This whisky was distilled in 2017 and aged in a ex-Bourbon cask before being finished in ex-Tequila cask #329. It was bottle exclusively for high-end British retailer Selfridges in late 2021.

One of 289 bottles.

North Port-Brechin 1977 Cask Strength 28 Year Old

The Brechin distillery was built in 1820 by the Guthrie family, who changed its named to North Port at some point later that century. It was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) in 1922, who closed it down six years later. Production briefly resumed for two years before the war, but it was not until 1945 that regular distilling recommenced. North Port was one of the nine distilleries closed by DCL in 1983 after a market downturn meant their blends were oversupplied. It never re-opened and the site now houses a supermarket. Its single malt is very rare, and was never officially bottled in its lifetime. Diageo have produced only a handful of limited edition distillery bottlings, the first of which were in the Rare Malts Selection.

One of the 2005 Diageo special releases, this is a 28 year old was distilled in 1977 and bottled at cask strength.

Nikka Super Whisky 60cl / Dragon Boat Decanter

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

An older bottling of this famous Japanese blend presented in an elegant ceramic decanter depicting a Dragon shaped Boat.

Nikka Gold and Gold American Footballer 2 x 76cl

A very unusual example of the Nikka Gold and Gold, this time presented with two ornammental American Football style armour. 

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

Nikka Armour of King / Knight Decanter​

An alternate version of the iconic Nikka Samurai release.

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

Originally only available in the Japanese duty free market, this version is adorned by a Knight.

No Age Declared Masam Blended Malt 2020 / Silvano's Collection

The No Age Declared blend is a vatting of some spectacular vintage from some similarly sought after distilleries, including 1960s Springbank, 1970s Ardbeg, 1973 Longrow, and 1970s Glen Garioch to name but a few.

Previous editions of the blend were bottled by the Samaroli company, but this 2020 edition was bottled by Masam.

The Silvano’s Collection label is produced by Masam, an independent bottling company run by Maryse Accorsi Samaroli, the wife of the legendary Silvano Samaroli. The Samaroli firm has been run by Antonio Bleve since 2008, however casks from Silvano's private collection have also been bottled under the Singles of Silvano Samaroli banner. These were initially supervised by the man himself, but since his death in 2017, the tradition has been lovingly continued by his wife.

Nikka Designer's Bottle Gift Set / Kohzo Okada

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown.  Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

This is Designer's bottle edition from Nikka, designed by Kohzo Okada. 

Signed by designer of bottle. 

Nikka Super Whisky 60cl / Dragon Boat Decanter

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

An older bottling of this famous Japanese blend presented in an elegant ceramic decanter depicting a Dragon shaped Boat

No Age Declared by Silvano Samaroli Pure Malt Scotch Whisky 2002

The No Age Declared blend is a vatting of some spectacular vintage from some similarly sought after distilleries, including 1960s Springbank, 1970s Ardbeg, 1973 Longrow, and 1970s Glen Garioch to name but a few.

Previous editions of the blend were bottled by the Samaroli company, but this 2016 edition was bottled by Silvano himself from his own private stocks as he had handed the running of his brand to Antonio Bleve two years earlier. This is a precursor style to what would become the Masam independent bottler, run by his wife Maryse following his death in 2017.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, (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 2002 release is a vatting of malts aging between 12 and 45 years old. One of 1,980 bottles.

Nikka Tsuru Ceramic Decanter

Not to be confused the \"Taketsuru\" - a blended malt named for the founder of the company Masataka Taketsuru - this non age statement blend is named Tsuru, the Japanese word for crane,  the graceful bird whose likeness adorns the exterior of this attractive ceramic decanter. 

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

No Age Declared by Silvano Samaroli Blended Scotch Cuvée 2016

The No Age Declared blend is a vatting of some spectacular vintage from some similarly sought after distilleries, including 1960s Springbank, 1970s Ardbeg, 1973 Longrow, and 1970s Glen Garioch to name but a few.

Previous editions of the blend were bottled by the Samaroli company, but this 2016 edition was bottled by Silvano himself from his own private stocks as he had handed the running of his brand to Antonio Bleve two years earlier. This is a precursor style to what would become the Masam independent bottler, run by his wife Maryse following his death in 2017.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, (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.

North of Scotland 1973 His Excellency 48 Year Old Spirit of North Scotland

North of Scotland began production in 1958, and was the first venture from George P. Christie, who later opened the Speyside distillery as well. North of Scotland originally distilled malt whisky as well, known as Strathmore, but its pot still were removed after just one year to focus on its grain production. Sadly the distillery was short-lived, shut down by Christie in 1980 in anticipation of the era of oversupply, also referred to as the \"whisky loch.\" The site was sold to DCL in 1982 and is nowadays used as a bond and warehousing operation by Diageo. Primarily tasked with provision for blends, there are very few releases of North of Scotland grain. An official 50 year old was bottled in 2017 in partnership with Elixir Distillers, but the majority of independent bottlings are from independent labels like this.

Distilled in 1973 at North of Scotland and bottled at 25% strength after 48 years. No longer able to be called single malt Scotch due to its depleted ABV, this is a \"Spirit of North Scotland\" bottled by Bartels Whisky under their His Excellency banner.

Bartels Whisky are a UK based and family run independent bottler.

Nikka Tsuru

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

An unusual release of Nikka's Tsuru. As well as a different shaped glass decanter, this version does not carry an age statement.

Nc'nean 2017 Single Tequila Cask #329 / Selfridges

\"AON means one in Gaelic and represents our collection of single cask bottlings.\"

The idea for Nc'nean distillery was conceived in 2012 by Annabel Thomas and her family, who had acquired the Drimnin Estate on the Morvern Peninsula of Scotland's west coast just 10 years prior. The following year, Annabel Thomas left her job in London to build the distillery from the ground up. As manger and CEO she secured nearly £7.5m throughout two rounds of fundraising, and work began on building the distillery from scratch in 2014. It was designed by the legendary late Dr. Jim Swan, and the first spirit ran from its stills in March 2017. The name, pronounced [nc-nee-an] is an abbreviation of Neachneohain, a figure from Gaelic folk legend known as the Queen of the Spirits.

This whisky was distilled in 2017 and aged in a ex-Bourbon cask before being finished in ex-Tequila cask #329. It was bottle exclusively for high-end British retailer Selfridges in late 2021.

One of 289 bottles.

Nc'nean 2017 Single Tequila Cask #329 / Selfridges

\"AON means one in Gaelic and represents our collection of single cask bottlings.\"

The idea for Nc'nean distillery was conceived in 2012 by Annabel Thomas and her family, who had acquired the Drimnin Estate on the Morvern Peninsula of Scotland's west coast just 10 years prior. The following year, Annabel Thomas left her job in London to build the distillery from the ground up. As manger and CEO she secured nearly £7.5m throughout two rounds of fundraising, and work began on building the distillery from scratch in 2014. It was designed by the legendary late Dr. Jim Swan, and the first spirit ran from its stills in March 2017. The name, pronounced [nc-nee-an] is an abbreviation of Neachneohain, a figure from Gaelic folk legend known as the Queen of the Spirits.

This whisky was distilled in 2017 and aged in a ex-Bourbon cask before being finished in ex-Tequila cask #329. It was bottle exclusively for high-end British retailer Selfridges in late 2021.

One of 289 bottles.

Nikka Taketsuru Fortune ‘80

This is a Taketsuru blend from the 1980s, and was discontinued in the subsequent decade, becoming a real rarity now.

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

Nikka Taketsuru Fortune ‘80 75cl

This is a Taketsuru blend from the 1980s, and was discontinued in the subsequent decade, becoming a real rarity now.

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

Nikka Kingsland Premier 76cl

An attractive glass decanter containing the famous Japanese blended whisky.

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

The Kingsland blend is named after the first pot still used by the company.

North of Scotland 1973 His Excellency 48 Year Old Spirit of North Scotland

North of Scotland began production in 1958, and was the first venture from George P. Christie, who later opened the Speyside distillery as well. North of Scotland originally distilled malt whisky as well, known as Strathmore, but its pot still were removed after just one year to focus on its grain production. Sadly the distillery was short-lived, shut down by Christie in 1980 in anticipation of the era of oversupply, also referred to as the \"whisky loch.\" The site was sold to DCL in 1982 and is nowadays used as a bond and warehousing operation by Diageo. Primarily tasked with provision for blends, there are very few releases of North of Scotland grain. An official 50 year old was bottled in 2017 in partnership with Elixir Distillers, but the majority of independent bottlings are from independent labels like this.

Distilled in 1973 at North of Scotland and bottled at 25% strength after 48 years. No longer able to be called single malt Scotch due to its depleted ABV, this is a \"Spirit of North Scotland\" bottled by Bartels Whisky under their His Excellency banner.

Bartels Whisky are a UK based and family run independent bottler.

Nikka Gold and Gold Samurai

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

Originally only available in the Japanese duty free market, this Nikka blend is adorned by a Samurai. Gold and Gold is a blend of pot and coffey still whiskies from Nikka's distilleries.

Nikka Gold and Gold Samurai

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

Originally only available in the Japanese duty free market, this Nikka blend is adorned by a Samurai. Gold and Gold is a blend of pot and coffey still whiskies from Nikka's distilleries.

North of Scotland 1973 His Excellency 48 Year Old Spirit of North Scotland

North of Scotland began production in 1958, and was the first venture from George P. Christie, who later opened the Speyside distillery as well. North of Scotland originally distilled malt whisky as well, known as Strathmore, but its pot still were removed after just one year to focus on its grain production. Sadly the distillery was short-lived, shut down by Christie in 1980 in anticipation of the era of oversupply, also referred to as the \"whisky loch.\" The site was sold to DCL in 1982 and is nowadays used as a bond and warehousing operation by Diageo. Primarily tasked with provision for blends, there are very few releases of North of Scotland grain. An official 50 year old was bottled in 2017 in partnership with Elixir Distillers, but the majority of independent bottlings are from independent labels like this.

Distilled in 1973 at North of Scotland and bottled at 25% strength after 48 years. No longer able to be called single malt Scotch due to its depleted ABV, this is a \"Spirit of North Scotland\" bottled by Bartels Whisky under their His Excellency banner.

Bartels Whisky are a UK based and family run independent bottler.