April 2016 Auction

Mortlach 75 Year Old Gordon and Macphail

At a stunning 75 years old this incredible Mortlach is 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.

Karuizawa 1964 48 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

An amazing whisky and without a doubt a highlight in our April auction. This extremely rare 1964 single cask is arguably one of the most sought after Karuizawa's ever released and will be highly contested in this months auction.  

Distilled in September 1964 and matured for 48 years in a single 400 litre sherry cask, #3603 which yielded a mere 143 bottles.  Bottled in December 2012 exclusively for Wealth Solutions, Poland. The packaging is also very impressive presented in a part polish black fossil oak box. 

Bottle number 121 of 143. 

Karuizawa 1974 The Gold Geisha 40 Year Old Cask # 3626

We love receiving new and exciting bottles of Karuizawa, this one is heads and tails above the rest in many ways.  

Aged for an impressive 40 years, the 'Gold Geisha' bottling was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 2014, presented in a beautiful hard wooden lockable case.

This stunning whisky is the last cask from the 1974 vintage of Karuizawa, cask #3626 which yielded only 392 bottles.

Karuizawa Five Decades 1960 - 2000

One of the most exciting new releases of the past year. This very exclusive bottling of Karuizawa was launched at department store Isetan in Shinjuku.

The whisky contains a vatting of casks from five decades of Karuizawa, from the 1960s right up until the distilleries closure in 2000, only leaving out a very low period of production during the 1950s.  The last part of the story, the whisky was then transferred into an ex-Karuizawa cask for a number of years before being bottled in 2015. 

This delightfully engraved decanter is presented in a well crafted wooden box with keys included. 

The guys at Nonjatta have commented on this bottle as Karuizawa's 'Swan Song'.

Macallan 1946 Select Reserve 52 Year Old

A truly stunning bottle of Macallan distilled in 1946 and matured for over half a century until bottling, this is bottle number 1792. 

This 52 year old whisky is presented in an elegant lockable hard wood case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Karuizawa 35 Year Old and Karuizawa 30 Year Old

This lot comprises of two bottles:

35 Year Old Karuizawa Matured in Sherry Butt Cask #7417. One of 473 70cl

30 Year Old Karuizawa matured in Sherry Butt Cask #3655. One of 285 75cl

Please note there is a shipping charge for 2 bottles with this lot.

Anon, The Practical Distiller: Or, a Brief TREATISE OF Practical Distillation London: B. Lintot, 1718.

Bound with,

Smith, George, A Compleat Body OF DISTILLING, Explaining the MYSTERIES OF THAT SCIENCE, IN A most easy and familiar Manner London: Bernard Lintot, 1725.

The Practical Distiller is one of the earliest known books on whisky distillation. This seminal work, often attributed to George Smith, is a fascinating insight into the craft before it had even become an industry. A first edition dating to 1718, the British Library Short Title Catalogue lists only eight other copies, one of which is held in Oxford University's Bodleian Library and another at Harvard University. The work has been laterly bound with a subsequent work, A Compleat Body of Distilling, known to be by George Smith, also a first edition dating to 1725. 

Together these two works bound in one volume offer a unique opportunity to own a real piece of whisky history.

Please see images for any condition issues. Condition report available on request.

Karuizawa 1983 Single Cask #8333 / 68 Bottles

From this incredibly popular lost Japanese distillery, which has produced so many internationally acclaimed malts.

Distilled in 1983 and bottled in 2013 from a single sherry butt #8333.

One of only 68 bottles. 

Laphroaig 1960 Vintage Reserve 40 Year Old

A vintage release of Laphroaig distilled in 1960 and bottled as a 40 year old. Laphroaig this age is incredibly rare!

Distilled in 1960 and presented with a certificate from distillery manager Iain Henderson, the casks were matured for 40 years in warehouse #1. This is the first release from Oddbins and the far more limited of the two. 

This is bottle 230 of 300. 

Please note general condition. 

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #2100 and Karuizawa 1983 Single Cask #2656

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

Distilled in 1983 and bottled 29 years later from single sherry cask #2656 in 2012. 

Another cracking single cask from Karuizawa, distilled in 1981 and bottled 30 years later in 2012. This was matured in a sherry butt and released for the Taiwanese. 

Please note general condition

Hanyu 1990 Queen of Hearts Single Cask #9102 / Bottle No.8

The Queen of Hearts was distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2006.

Matured in a traditional hogshead before a second period of maturation in a french oak cognac wood, cask # 9102.

This bottle is only number 108 of 324.

Please note the condition of the labels. 

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of Serge Valentin, a whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Ben Ellefsen, Sales Director for Master of Malt, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through the Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by Whiskyfun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

This is bottle number 358 of 400.

Please note condition. 

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955 / Whisky Live Taipei 2010

Distilled in 1968 in the now long closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled in 2010. 

Matured in a sherry butt this is an older single cask release exclusivley for Whisky Live Taipei 2010. 

Bottle number 124 of 428. 

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955 / Whisky Live Taipei 2010

Distilled in 1968 in the now long closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled in 2010. 

Matured in a sherry butt this is an older single cask release exclusivley for Whisky Live Taipei 2010. 

Bottle number 120 of 428. 

Please note minor crease in box.

Kawasaki 1981 Ichiro's Choice 

One of the very rare bottlings of Kawasaki by Ichirio Akuto. Only a handful of single casks have ever been bottled from this lost Japanese grain distillery.

This lot combines both the 1981 and 1982 vintages from Ichiro.

Please note shipping will be for two bottles.

Glenury Royal 1953 50 Year Old

There are very few official bottling of this rare highland malt, which closed its doors for the last time in 1985.

This spectacular sherried 1953 vintage Glenury was bottled as a 50 Year old.  

Bottle number 59 of only 498.

Karuizawa 35 Year Old Single Cask #7417

35 Year Old Karuizawa matured in Sherry Butt Cask #7417. One of 473 70cl

Karuizawa 1971 36 Year Old Single Cask #6878

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.  This particular Karuizawa was distilled in 1971 and bottled on the 15^th January 2008 was fortunate enough to be matured in sherry butt #6878. 

Only 430 bottles were released. 

Please note condtion of the box. 

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #4201 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 358 bottles.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #6432 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled arounf 1984 or 1985 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 404 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #3622 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 332 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #3620 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 280 bottles.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak

A very rare and hugely popular edition of Macallan 30 year old, released in the eye catching bright blue box with blue and gold labelling.

Please note general condition of the box.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Single Cask #5347

One of the recent Karuizawa bottlings exclusive to attendees of The Whisky Show, London and carries a stunning depiction of a Geisha, only half though - the other half is found on a sister bottling from the bourbon cask #8897.

Produced from single sherry cask #5347.

Bowmore Bicentenary 1779-1979 / 98.8 Proof

An extremely rare Bowmore released for their Bicentenary in 1979. This was created for the Italian market.

The whisky is rumoured to be from 1969 but this is not stated on the bottle. 

Bottled at a cask strength of 56.2%. 

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #7843 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 458 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #4201 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 358 bottles.

Karuizawa 1980 Golden Samurai

Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015, this was a Dream Dram at the Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in London 2015. 

Rather than being put on general release this was made available to attendees of the show (The Whisky Exchange is the retail arm of Speciality Drinks who are the sole distributor of Karuizawa in the UK). The attendees entered a raffle with the lucky few purchasing the bottle.

The front label depicts a Golden Samurai and the rear label tells the following tale : \"On the Nakasendo trail from Kyoto to Edo, when the shogun wielded real power in Japan, there was a place for Samurai Warriors, feudal lords and their servants to stop and take stock of their journey. A place to gather and unwind, to celebrate and steel themselves for the journey ahead. That place was Kaurizawa.\"

 Please note general condition. 

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old

One of Brora's legendary1972 vintages. This was distilled in 1972 and bottled in 30 years later by Douglas Laing for their Old & Rare Platinum Slection.  

One of 240 bottles

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old 2014 Release Four Seasons 4 x 70cl

A specially released set of Glenfarclas for the Taiwan market. Each of these 40 year olds represents a different season. 

Each comes in it's own crafted wooden box. 

Please note there will be a shipping cost for four bottles. 

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #7963 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 437 bottles.

Hibiki 30 Year Old

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory.  Here is a hint of it's success  -

• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2004 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2006 
• Word Whisky Awards 2007 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2007 
• Word Whisky Awards 2008 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2008 

Please note condition of the box.