In the early months of 2020, Beam Suntory quietly stated that a \"phenomenal expression\" could be expected later that same year. When it finally premiered, this unprecedented release became the oldest Japanese single malt ever bottled.
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.
The Yamazaki 55 year old is a vatting of two casks: a 1960-vintage mizunara oak and a 1964-vintage white oak. The 1960-vintage was distilled by founder Shinjiro Torii and the 1964-vintage represents the year his son, Keizo Saji, succeeded him as second-generation Master Blender. Over half a century of maturation later, the casks were carefully married together by current and fifth Master Blender, Shinji Fukuyo.
As you would expect, the presentation showcases the highest quality of Japanese craftsmanship. The \"55\" emblazoned on the crystal bottle is decorated with maki-e, the traditional Japanese technique of sprinkling gold powder on lacquerware. The handcrafted box is made of Japanese mizunara wood which is finished in a traditional style. The mouth of the bottle is wrapped in a layer of ink-black washi paper strewn with gold flakes whist a cord braided from 24 ink-black, gold, and silver strands hold the wrapping in place.
When it came to distribution in mid-2020, it was decided that the first 100 bottles would be sold exclusively in Japan via lottery. Over a year later, a second release of another 100 bottles were made available to other markets around the world.
This particular bottle is one of second 100 and unlike those sold in Japan in 2020, they are not engraved with the buyers name.
Alongside the 70cl bottle is a beautifully presented book which details the whisky.
Please Note: This lot is not eligible for Whisky Auctioneer storage. The winning bidder must arrange for collection within 7 days of purchase.
One of two \"Genesis\" releases bottled in 2018 to celebrate the opening of the brand new Macallan distillery. The first was the infamous Genesis 2018 Release, followed by this, the Spectacular Genesis Decanter.
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.
Presented in a beautiful Lalique crystal decanter, at the time of release, this was the oldest Macallan single malt ever bottled. This was distilled in the 1940s, in period of post-war optimism both in the whisky industry and the world as a whole. Having lay maturing for a staggering 72 years, this was bottled in a year Macallan themselves describe as a \"new dawn,\" representing a new period of optimism for the future with their new, behemoth distillery opening in June that year.
The decanter and its presentation are designed to evoke and celebrate the architecture of the new site:
\"Lalique has captured the character of the new Distillery in crystal, with the horizon of the decanter rising and falling in reflection of the roof line and incorporating the clean lines and natural curves. Each decanter is encased in a bespoke presentation case inspired by the interior of the Distillery, with a curved wooden roof over the decanter, and a footprint taken directly from the circular layout of the three new still houses.\"
It was designed by Burgess Studio, and was handcrafted by Royal Warrant holding cabinet makers, NEJ Stevenson.
Glenlivet 1940 Gordon and MacPhail 80 Year Old Generations with Sample Set
When it was revealed in late 2021, this truly remarkable and historic bottling from Gordon & MacPhail became the oldest single malt ever released.
Well-known as the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, for many years ‘Glenlivet’ was a byword for quality, with many single malts using the Glenlivet suffix in an attempt to reap the benefits of associating themselves with the Banffshire distillery. Indeed, owners Pernod-Ricard now put a heavy focus on the brand being ‘The Glenlivet’, encouraging their consumers not to accept any imitations. Glenlivet is in a long-running battle with Glenfiddich for the title of best-selling single malt, with both now selling over a million cases a year. George Smith secured a license to legally distil at Glenlivet in 1824, and it remained family-run until 1978 when Seagram bought a controlling stake in what had by then become The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd, and counting assets such as Glen Grant, Benriach and Longmorn among its portfolio. When Seagram collapsed in 2001, Pernod-Ricard acquired its sizeable Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky division, with Glenlivet the crown jewel in an empire rivalled only by Diageo.
This incredible liquid was distilled in the early days of WWII on 3rd February 1940. It was filled into single first-fill sherry butt #340 by George Urquhart and his father, John and left undisturbed for eight decades. It was finally bottled on 5th February 2020.
Gordon & MacPhail are one of the largest and most recognisable whisky companies in the world. Although they began distilling at the newly refurbished Benromach distillery in 1998, for most of their history they were an independent bottler. Their labels are recognised by whisky lovers the world over, and their licensed bottlings from distillery's like Macallan and Talisker in the 1970s and 1980s, when the companies were not bottling themselves, are a huge part of the success of those distillers today.
The overall concept and presentation of the release has been delivered by acclaimed architect and designer, Sir David Adjaye OBE. Family producers Glencairn crystal were tasked with designing the ultra-premium decanters whilst the unique oak case was made from fully sustainable materials by Wardour Workshops of Dorset, England.
This incredibly rare 1950 vintage Macallan was released in July 2019 only available from select luxury and specialist retailers in the UK.
It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.
Distilled on the 9th November 1950 and bottled over 67 years later on 19th October 2018 after maturing in a single American Oak first-fill Sherry butt #1683 (Ref: 2018/ASB-1683/13).
The Macallan Exceptional Casks series was relaunched in 2017. The range takes its name from a number of single cask bottlings Macallan released during the 1990s, which are often described as some of \"the greatest Macallan of them all.\"
A special release from Hibiki, released on 29th November 2016.
Created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Japanese porcelain production, in a reproduction of a Kutani Cylindrical bottle, designed by Peony and Butterfly.
The 35 year old blend is presented within a beautifully decorative handmade ceramic decanter and accompanied by a finely crafted wooden box.
Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.
Karuizawa distillery was established in 1955 in the town of Miyota on the southern slopes of Mount Asama. It began production the following year, producing single malt for the Ocean blends from Daikoku Budoshu. Initially it was difficult for the distillery to obtain malt, but a lift on import restrictions in 1958 meant the distillery was able to experiment with the production of a Speyside-esque product, importing the same golden promise barely used at Macallan, and sherry casks. The subsequent quality of output saw it appearing in Japan as a single malt for the first time in the 1980s. Sadly, the Japanese whisky market was not strong at the time, and Karuizawa was closed in 2001 by owners, Mercian, and eventually dismantled. Its legacy is lives on however, with its still relocated to other distilleries in Japan, but predominantly in the hugely sought-after single cask releases that began to appear in 2007, from independent bottler, Number One Drinks. It is now one of the most prestige single malts on the planet, the reverence for which only grows as the remaining stock continues to thin.
This limited release was distilled in 1967 and bottled on 17th August 2009 with a vintage label produced exclusively for La Maison du Whisky, France.
Single cask #6426 was split between this release, and a bottling for The Whisky Exchange's 10th Anniversary.
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 19th 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.
Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.
Single cask Yamazaki are very rare and hard to find these days. This one was distilled in 1993 and matured in a single sherry butt #3T70070 until bottling in 2012 for La Maison du Whisky in Paris.
Highland Park 50 Year Old 2010 Release with Signed Original Artwork
Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.
This incredibly rare bottling of Highland Park was bottled from a combination of five refill casks from 1960. The casks were married together to 'harmonise' their flavours before being bottled, a process Highland Park calls 'cask harmonisation.'
The bottle has been designed by New York based Jeweller Maeve Gillies, who grew up in Edinburgh. The bottle which is created from hand-crafted sterling silver is inspired by the forces of nature and in particular the sea, using her jewellery making expertise the bottle features a metallic 'net' design, a piece of Orkney sandstone carved with the Highland Park logo and a hidden silver replica of the Rose Window from St Magnus Cathedral.
One of only 275 bottles produced.
This lot includes an original signed sketch used in the design process from Maeve Gillies. The bottle design won World’s Best Design and Best Limited Edition at the 2012 World Whiskies Awards in London
Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #7413 / Splendid Age
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 beautifully presented whisky was distilled in 1981 and aged in single ex-Sherry cask #7413 for 35 years before being bottled in 2016.
Karuizawa 38 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #4348 / Pearl Geisha
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 is the fifth release in the Geisha series from Elixir Distillers. The whisky was aged for 38 years in single ex-Sherry cask #4348 before being bottled at cask strength.
Originally known as Speciality Drinks, Elixir Distillers was established in 1999 as the independent bottling arm of The Whisky Exchange, which launched its online retail site the same year. Their first bottlings were under the Single Malts of Scotland label in 2005, followed by the Elements of Islay range and Port Askaig single malt brand in 2006 and 2009, respectively. The company was renamed Elixir Distillers as of 2017.
It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.
This impressive 40 year old was launched in October 2020 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 50, 60, 71, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.
The 40 year old was created by Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell.
It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.
This impressive 40 year old was launched in October 2020 as part of The Red Collection. The range also includes a 50, 60, 71, 74 and 78 year old, some of the oldest whisky ever bottled by the distillery. The colour Red has a myriad of significance for Macallan, from its founder's name, Alexander Reid, meaning \"the red one,\" to the the label aesthetic being an homage to the oldest vintages bottled from the distillery in the late 1970s and Allan Shiach marking them with red ribbons in the 1980s.
The 40 year old was created by Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell.
Karuizawa 31 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #3667 / Golden Geisha
Originally known as Speciality Drinks, Elixir Distillers was established in 1999 as the independent bottling arm of The Whisky Exchange, which launched its online retail site the same year. Their first bottlings were under the Single Malts of Scotland label in 2005, followed by the Elements of Islay range and Port Askaig single malt brand in 2006 and 2009, respectively. The company was renamed Elixir Distillers as of 2017.
This Karuizawa is one of two highly sought after 'Golden Geisha' releases, which were available to purchase by winners of a ballot hosted by The Whisky Exchange.
Aged for 31 years in sherry cask #3667, one of 225 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.
Karuizawa 36 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #5077 / Sapphire Geisha
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 is one of two sought after 'Sapphire Geisha' releases from early 2020, which were available to purchase by winners of a ballot hosted by The Whisky Exchange.
Aged for 36 years in sherry cask #5077, this bottle is number 18 of 105.
Mortlach 1939 Gordon and MacPhail 75 Year Old Generations
At a stunning 75 years old, this incredible Mortlach is one of the oldest whisky ever bottled. Released by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Generations range, the whisky was distilled on 17th November 1939 and matured in a single first-fill Sherry butt, before being bottled at cask strength in 2015.
The precious liquid is presented in a handcrafted crystal teardrop-shaped decanter, which features 75 multilevel cuts in the glass representing the 75 years of maturation. Accompanying the decanter is a white presentation plinth, two crystal glasses and specially commissioned book, all packaged within a luxury Aniline leather travel bag.
With only 100 decanters released for sale this could easily be named the world's most exclusive single malt whisky.
Mortlach was founded in 1823 and was the first of Dufftown's \"Seven Stills\" to be licensed. It rose to pre-eminence under George Cowie & Son, who's unique distillation regime produced a famously \"meaty\" whisky, which was highly prized by blenders. It was for this reason that it was acquired by John Walker & Sons, and so important to them was it that little stock was left available for bottling as a single malt. The Flora & Fauna release was the first official distillery bottling, but it was not until 2014 that Mortlach was bottled under its own fully fledged single malt brand. Thankfully, there have been many spectacular releases from independent labels like this over the years.
Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license by DCL to officially bottle Mortlach single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has since furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.
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 is the first of The Trilogy releases from the legendary 1964 Bowmore vintage, officially released in 2007 at 42 years of age.
The Black Bowmore was followed by the slightly older, Gold and White Bowmore.
It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.
The Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was launched in 2002, designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.
This was distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2006 from Spanish oak sherry butt #11354.
Unique code: efd6n6
Signed and dated by A. Murray on 3rd September 2007
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.
Distilled in December 1969 and bottled 42 years later in August 2012, this is legendary cask #8183 which oddly is a 400 litre ex-bourbon cask.
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.
Another fantastic example of old Macallan, The Macallan Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was designed to represent the very best vintages / whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.
Distilled in 1990 and bottled 30 years later in 2021 from cask #11233
Unique Reference: nxv2fh.
Signed and dated on 14th February 2022 by M. Bennet.
Bottled in 2009 as the third and final instalment in this famous trilogy, the Gold Bowmore was matured in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, to provide a comparison to the more famous Oloroso casks.
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.
Glen Grant 1952 Gordon and MacPhail 70 Year Old Private Collection / Platinum Jubilee 2022
Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006.
This whisky was filled into first-fill ex-Sherry butt #381 on 26th January 1952 and aged for 70 years. It was bottled in February 2022 to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Gordon & MacPhail are one of the largest and most recognisable whisky companies in the world. Although they began distilling at the newly refurbished Benromach distillery in 1998, for most of their history they were an independent bottler. Their labels are recognised by whisky lovers the world over, and their licensed bottlings from distillery's like Macallan and Talisker in the 1970s and 1980s, when the companies were not bottling themselves, are a huge part of the success of those distillers today.
Part of the 'Private Collection' launched in December 2018 as part of a wider overhaul of the range that sees G&M keeping trend with the move towards cask strength and single cask bottlings.
Karuizawa distillery was established in 1955 in the town of Miyota on the southern slopes of Mount Asama. It began production the following year, producing single malt for the Ocean blends from Daikoku Budoshu. Initially it was difficult for the distillery to obtain malt, but a lift on import restrictions in 1958 meant the distillery was able to experiment with the production of a Speyside-esque product, importing the same golden promise barely used at Macallan, and sherry casks. The subsequent quality of output saw it appearing in Japan as a single malt for the first time in the 1980s. Sadly, the Japanese whisky market was not strong at the time, and Karuizawa was closed in 2001 by owners, Mercian, and eventually dismantled. Its legacy is lives on however, with its still relocated to other distilleries in Japan, but predominantly in the hugely sought-after single cask releases that began to appear in 2007, from independent bottler, Number One Drinks. It is now one of the most prestige single malts on the planet, the reverence for which only grows as the remaining stock continues to thin.
This limited release was distilled in 1971 and bottled 15th January 2008 from single cask #6878.
The 2022 release from the Distill Your World series which celebrates the great city of New York.
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 New York release has been produced by Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan 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. Although 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\".
The whisky has been aged in six European and American oak casks before being bottled at cask strength. It 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 1,000 bottles which were made available at Macallan Boutiques around the world and premium specialist retailers.
The 2022 release from the Distill Your World series which celebrates the great city of New York.
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 New York release has been produced by Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan 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. Although 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\".
The whisky has been aged in six European and American oak casks before being bottled at cask strength. It 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 1,000 bottles which were made available at Macallan Boutiques around the world and premium specialist retailers.
Well-known as the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, for many years ‘Glenlivet’ was a byword for quality, with many single malts using the Glenlivet suffix in an attempt to reap the benefits of associating themselves with the Banffshire distillery. Indeed, owners Pernod-Ricard now put a heavy focus on the brand being ‘The Glenlivet’, encouraging their consumers not to accept any imitations. Glenlivet is in a long-running battle with Glenfiddich for the title of best-selling single malt, with both now selling over a million cases a year. George Smith secured a license to legally distil at Glenlivet in 1824, and it remained family-run until 1978 when Seagram bought a controlling stake in what had by then become The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd, and counting assets such as Glen Grant, Benriach and Longmorn among its portfolio. When Seagram collapsed in 2001, Pernod-Ricard acquired its sizeable Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky division, with Glenlivet the crown jewel in an empire rivalled only by Diageo.
Named the Winchester Collection after Master Distiller Alan Winchester, this is the first release in the on going release of 50 year old malts.
Distilled in 1964 and bottled in June 2014, this comes along with a miniature.
This is presented in a decanter designed by Glasstorm, a Cairngorm Stone stopper created by silversmith Richard Fox. The crafted wooden box was produced by furniture maker John Galvin.
Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7004 / Seven of Clubs
Since its stills were turned off in 2000, Hanyu has become one of Japan's most sought after single malts. An economic recession at the turn of the millennium forced the distillery to shut its doors, and the remaining casks of its unblended whisky stock were purchased by Venture Whisky, a firm established by the Hanyu distillery founder's grandson, Ichiro Akuto, in 2004. In 2005 he bottled his first single casks under the Ichiro's Malt label. He later cemented his legacy with the opening of the acclaimed Chichibu distillery, but his finest achievement will surely always be considered to be the Hanyu 'Card' series. The bottles are a collection of 58 releases, each displaying one of 52 playing cards on the label, two jokers, and a second batch of follow up releases to the original 2005 Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, King of Diamonds, and Jack of Clubs bottlings. Each unique in its own right, every one of these have become a true collector's piece and an important moment in the history Japanese whisky.
Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2008, this was originally matured in a hogshead and then finished in a refill American oak Hogshead.
Yamazaki 1980 Single Cask #SJ1367 / White Oak Sherry Butt
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.
A vintage release from The Cask of Yamazaki series by Suntory.
This was distilled at Yamazaki in 1980 and matured in a single white oak sherry butt for 22 years.
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 2009 Easter Elchies bottling from Macallan was a single sherry hogshead cask #14016.
It was distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2009 as a 13 year old.
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 1972 and bottled in 2008 from single cask #7290, which yielded only 528 bottles.
Produced exclusively for Ichiro's Malt distributors in Europe, Number One Drinks.
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 produced from single sherry cask #2084 which was hand selected by the directors of Number One Drinks Company \"for their personal enjoyment\".
Distilled on 30th July 1981 and bottled in July 2012 and bottled at cask strength.
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.
Released in 2015, this is the first edition of this limited release from Macallan, which recreate the old advertising styles of used by the distillery.
Presented with a book, and in a beautifully designed book-shaped tin.
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