April 2025 Auction

Cragganmore 2007 Distillers Edition CggD-6571

Cragganmore distillery was built by John Smith at the end of the 19th century. An astute businessman, he selected the location of his distillery to facilitate easy trade with his customers, and produced spirit geared fully towards the needs of the blending companies. It was not long before it was considered one of the finest for such a purpose, and the distillery was eventually acquired by White Horse Distillers. When White Horse were bought by DCL, its subsequent iteration, United Distillers, selected it as part of their Classic Malts series in 1988, officially launching its single malt brand. Despite this, its continued importance to Diageo blends means that distillery bottlings like this are scarce, with only the 12 year old and these annual Distillers Editions making up a permanent range.

Launched in 1997, The Distillers Edition range is a series of double matured versions of the standard Classic Malts. The Cragganmore releases are finished in Port wine casks.

Caol Ila 2013 Auld Goonsy 11 Year Old

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 August 2013 and matured 11 years, initially in an American oak hogshead, then in single first-fill Pedro Ximénez cask #319939 for a further 12 months. It was bottled by Global Whisky in November 2024 under their Auld Goonsy label.

One of 291 bottles.

Glenfiddich 1977 Rare Collection 39 Year Old #22742

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.

The Rare Collection from Glenfiddich was first introduced in the early 2000s and included a sought-after annual batch release of 40 year old single malt, as well as the famous 1937 vintage, genuinely one of the world's rarest bottles of whisky. This incarnation sees the label revised for its single cask series, replacing the Vintage Reserve line during the 2008 rebranding of the distillery's portfolio.

This was distilled in 1977 and bottled from single cask #22742.

One of 166 bottles.

Chichibu 2014 Single Bourbon Cask #3804 / LMDW - Au Bon Marché 100th Anniversary

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.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2014 and matured in single third-fill bourbon barrel #3804, which had previously held peated whisky. It was bottled exclusively for La Maison du Whisky, as part of their 2024 New Vibrations Collection. This release as also produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Au Bon Marché department store.

One of 204 bottles.

Glen Scotia 25 Year Old 2017 release

Despite having been mothballed several times throughout its history, Glen Scotia is a proud survivor of the early 20th century desolation of Campbeltown, once known as \"the whisky capital of the world.” The Kintyre peninsula formerly boasted over 30 distilleries, but by the end of the 1920s, only this and Springbank remained. Shut for most of the 1990s before being re-opened by Loch Lomond Distillers, today it is one of only three in the region, with an increasingly prominent portfolio of distillery bottlings in comparison to its quiet output under previous owners.

This is the distillery's premium 25 year old expression, added to the distillery core range in 2017.

Caol Ila 1984 Gordon and MacPhail 38 Year Old Batch #23/021

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.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market, and this release follows the 2018 rejuvenation of the brand, which saw it reimagined as a premium single casks range.

This was distilled in 1984 and bottled at 38 years old from a refill sherry hogshead.

Glen Grant 10 Year Old 1980s / Giovinetti Import

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 particular 10 year old is from the 1980s and was imported to Italy by Giovinetti.

Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX

Despite being owned by blenders, MacDonald & Muir, for most of the 20th century, Glenmorangie had an early focus on bottling its single malt. Some records show that its single malt was being sold as early as the late 19th century. This became the distillery's main output in 1959, and with the unique flavours derived from Scotland's tallest stills, coupled with their pioneering use of wood finishing, Glenmorangie is now one of the world's biggest selling malts. As a result, the distillery portfolio over the years has been extensive, and little has been spared for independent bottlers.

Released in 2009, Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX was the first of the distillery's Private Collection bottlings. The whisky has been finished in casks formerly containing Pedro Ximénez sherry.

Cask: Ardmore 1998 Hogshead #750704 / stored at Inveralmond Bond

This Ardmore single malt was distilled on 27th May 1998 and is currently maturing in single hogshead #750704 at a bonded warehouse in Inveralmond, Perth.

Ardmore was built by Wm. Teacher at the end of the 19th century, and as a rare peated Highland single malt, provided the smoky qualities in their well-loved blends. Now in the hands of Beam Suntory, there have been very few official bottlings, but the independent releases that have appeared over the years are much sought after.

The following are the results of a cask regauge on 19th March 2024.

• New Bulk Litres: 119.0
• Strength: 52.20%
• Regauged Litres of Alcohol: 62.1

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: The buyer of any cask which is stored at this location must have an existing account with the company that owns the warehouse. Please note that the buyer will also be fully responsible for all fees associated with the transfer of ownership of the cask.

Title of ownership for sold lots shall be passed on to the buyer within 14 days of the receipt of funds PROVIDED THAT a Buyer meets, and can demonstrate they meet, HMRC requirements for owning duty-suspended goods.  In short: a UK resident revenue trader must have a valid Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations Certificate (“WOWGR”).  A UK resident who is not a revenue trader does not require a WOWGR but must make arrangements with the warehousekeeper storing the cask.  Non-UK residents should appoint a UK Duty Representative to act for them.  Further details and guidance can be found via the below websites.

HMRC Excise Notice 196

HMRC Excise Notice 206

Cragganmore 1989 Berry Brothers and Rudd

Cragganmore distillery was built by John Smith at the end of the 19th century. An astute businessman, he selected the location of his distillery to facilitate easy trade with his customers, and produced spirit geared fully towards the needs of the blending companies. It was not long before it was considered one of the finest for such a purpose, and the distillery was eventually acquired by White Horse Distillers. When White Horse were bought by DCL, its subsequent iteration, United Distillers, selected it as part of their Classic Malts series in 1988, officially launching its single malt brand. Despite this, its continued importance to Diageo blends means that distillery bottlings like this are scarce, with only the 12 year old and these annual Distillers Editions making up a permanent range.

Distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2010 after being matured in a single cask, Cask #2880

Berry Brothers & Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

Camus Marque Cognac Baccarat Decanter

Jean-Baptiste Camus started out as an independent winegrower, distilling, and selling his cognac to other established houses. In 1863, he decided to expand his business by recruiting other producers to supply him with stock which he could sell his new brand, Camus La Grande Marque. Camus’ advantage of having people supply La Grande Marque was that he had total control over the quality of the product, from grape to the glass. The business would go on to enjoy great success over the next 150 years, remaining in the same family for over five generations. Perhaps the savviest tactic in the company’s history was the move towards the duty-free market in the 1960s. This saw recognition of the brand increase significantly and today Camus have a worldwide following, particularly in Asia.

An older bottling of Camus cognac presented in a beautiful Baccarat decanter.

Baccarat Crystal was founded in the commune of the same name in north-eastern France in 1764. The company was given permission to start the manufacture of window panes, mirrors and stemware by King Louis XV but it wasn't until 1816 when the first crystal oven was installed. For well over 250 years the company has become renowned for its high quality and craftsmanship.

Glenmorangie Finealta

Despite being owned by blenders, MacDonald & Muir, for most of the 20th century, Glenmorangie had an early focus on bottling its single malt. Some records show that its single malt was being sold as early as the late 19th century. This became the distillery's main output in 1959, and with the unique flavours derived from Scotland's tallest stills, coupled with their pioneering use of wood finishing, Glenmorangie is now one of the world's biggest selling malts. As a result, the distillery portfolio over the years has been extensive, and little has been spared for independent bottlers.

The second private edition released from Glenmorangie, recreating a recipe Glenmorangie had from 1903 which was slightly peated. Matured using a combination of bourbon and Oloroso sherry oak.

Cask: Speyside Single Malt 2016 Hogshead #8267 / stored at Inveralmond Bond

This Speyside single malt was sourced from a distillery under the ownership of one of whisky's most renowned luxury brands, and largely contributes to the production of the Famous Grouse blend (No, not that distillery, the other one).

The cask was filled on the 1st September 2016 and is maturing in single hogshead cask #8267 at a bonded warehouse in Inveralmond, Perth.

The following are the results of a cask regauge which took place on 24th October 2024.

• Bulk Litres: 232.2
• Strength: 65.60%
• Regauged Litres of Alcohol: 153.1

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: The buyer of any cask which is stored at this location must have an existing account with the company that owns the warehouse. Please note that the buyer will also be fully responsible for all fees associated with the transfer of ownership of the cask.

Title of ownership for sold lots shall be passed on to the buyer within 14 days of the receipt of funds PROVIDED THAT a Buyer meets, and can demonstrate they meet, HMRC requirements for owning duty-suspended goods.  In short: a UK resident revenue trader must have a valid Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations Certificate (“WOWGR”).  A UK resident who is not a revenue trader does not require a WOWGR but must make arrangements with the warehousekeeper storing the cask.  Non-UK residents should appoint a UK Duty Representative to act for them.  Further details and guidance can be found via the below websites.

HMRC Excise Notice 196

HMRC Excise Notice 206

Chivas Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute

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.An incredibly rare edition of the Royal Salute from Chivas Brothers.

Named after th 62 gun salute that is fired on Royal anniversaries, the decanter is painted with 24 carat gold and contains over 40 year old whiskies.

Cask: Blue Hill 2018 Hogshead #180000030 / stored at Inveralmond Bond

This Speyside single malt was drawn from a distillery residing on a rather 'rocky hill', in a town of the same name. It draws its water from the underground Blue Hill spring.

The cask was filled on the 12th June 2018 and is maturing in single hogshead cask #180000030 at a bonded warehouse in Inveralmond, Perth.

The following are the results of a cask regauge which took place on 14th April 2025.

• New bulk litres: 234.2
• Strength 60.30%
• Regauged litres of alcohol 141.2

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: The buyer of any cask which is stored at this location must have an existing account with the company that owns the warehouse. Please note that the buyer will also be fully responsible for all fees associated with the transfer of ownership of the cask.

Title of ownership for sold lots shall be passed on to the buyer within 14 days of the receipt of funds PROVIDED THAT a Buyer meets, and can demonstrate they meet, HMRC requirements for owning duty-suspended goods.  In short: a UK resident revenue trader must have a valid Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations Certificate (“WOWGR”).  A UK resident who is not a revenue trader does not require a WOWGR but must make arrangements with the warehousekeeper storing the cask.  Non-UK residents should appoint a UK Duty Representative to act for them.  Further details and guidance can be found via the below websites.

HMRC Excise Notice 196

HMRC Excise Notice 206

Chivas Regal 20 Year Old Ultis

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.

Ultis contains five hand-selected signature malts from the Chivas Brothers portfolio. They are Allt-a-Bhainne, Tormore, Strathisla, Longmorn and Braeval. The Ultis is intended as a tribute to Chivas' five master blenders: Charles Howard (1895-1935), Charles Julian (1949-1960), Allan Baillie (1960-1966), Jimmy Lang (1966-1989) and Colin Scott (1989-present). Formerly a non-age statement expression, this is now bottled as a 20 year old.

Glenlivet 20 Year Old 1970s / Baretto Import

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 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.  

An excellent example of well-aged Glenlivet from the early 1970s, specially reserved by the distillery for Baretto Imports in Italy.

One of 2,400.

Glenlivet Triple Cask Matured Rare Cask 1 Litre

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.

Part of the distillery's Travel Retail range, this Glenlivet has been matured in three different casks; American white oak casks, sherry casks, and 'traditional' casks.

Glenlivet 15 Year Old 1970s / Baretto Import

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 15 year old was officially imported by the Baretto brothers for Italy. 

Glenlivet 21 Year Old Triple Cask Finish / The Sample Room Collection

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 smalll-batch 21 year old has been finished in a combination of first-fill Oloroso caksks, Cognac casks and Colheita vintage Port casks. It was bottled as part of the distillery's Sample Room Collection.

Glenlivet 12 Year Old 1970s / Baretto Import

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.

The 12 year old was the entry level Glenlivet expression for many decades, eventually being replaced by the Founder's Reserve in 2015. The expression returned in an elevated spot in the core range in 2018, before being promptly rebranded as the 12 year old Double Oak the following year, as the distillery's entire permanent portfolio of releases was overhauled.

Caol Ila 1991 Eidora Whisky 14 Year Old

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 whisky was distilled in 1991 and aged for 14 years before being bottled in 2006 for WhiskyAuction.com.

One of 287 bottles.

Glen Garioch 1968 Single Cask 29 Year Old #7

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 whisky was distilled on 18th May 1968 and aged in single hogshead #7 for 29 years.

Glen Grant 10 Year Old 1980s / Seagram Italia Import

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.

An older bottle of the former core expression from this popular Speyside malt.

Glenfarclas 2014 Christmas Edition 2024 / The Whisky Club

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.

Glenfarclas has a long history of releasing Christmas Edition bottlings, primarily for the German market. This release was distilled in 2014 and entirely matured in Oloroso casks. It was bottled for the 2024 festive season, however this release was made exclusive to The Whisky Club in Australia.

Compass Box Menagerie

Despite brands like Ballantine’s, Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal remaining the best-selling Scotch whisky brands in the world, the blended Scotch category played second fiddle to the more fashionable single malt market in the second half of the 20th century. This remains largely true today, however in recent decades the perception of the blend has improved. The company at the forefront of this is Compass Box, founded in 2000 by John Glaser, a former marketing director for the Johnnie Walker brand. Their core range consists of The Spice Tree, The Peat Monster, Story of the Spaniard, Oak Cross and Hedonism blends, and they regularly produce limited editions as well. The company prides itself on its boundary-pushing approach to its creations, and on occasion, boundary-crossing creations, such as the original Spice Tree in 2005 which was banned by the Scotch Whisky Association for its use of suspended staves in casks. Despite investment from Bacardi in 2015, the company continues to push the envelope and rebel against tradition, most notably in its Scotch Whisky Transparency campaign, launched in 2016 following another disagreement with the SWA, this time about their detailed revealing of the recipes of their whiskies.

This is a limited edition blended malt limited to 7,741 bottles.

Transparency:

• 42.6% Mortlach Recharred barrel
• 17.1% Deanston refill sherry and hogshead.
• 16.8% Highland Malt Blend custom french oak
• 18.1% Glen Elgin recharred barrel and sherry seasoned butt
• 5.4% Laphroaig recharred hogshead.

Glenesk 1983 Duncan Taylor 25 Year Old #4931

Known as Glenesk from 1980-85, and prior to that as Hillside since 1964, this distillery produced both malt and grain at different stages in its history. It is not often seen officially bottled, but has contributed to several Rare Malts Selection releases. Distilling ceased there entirely in 1985, and the site operates exclusively as a maltings now.

A single cask bottling from this long closed Highland distillery.

Distilled in November 1983 and bottled in September 2009 from single cask #4931.

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

One of only 294 bottles.

Glenfiddich Classic / Mercian Import

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.

The Glenfiddich Classic was introduced in 1992 and bottled until 1998. The expression is matured in bourbon wood prior to finishing in sherry casks. It was replaced in the core range by the 15 year old Solera Reserve.

Chateau de Laubade 1983 Bas Armagnac

The Laubade vineyards are in the top growth of the Bas Armagnac region. Ugni Blanc, Baco, Colombard and Folle Blanche are grown using organic methods, then vinified and distilled at the château prior to maturation. The oak used is Gascony, harvested from local forests and dried in the open air for three years then assembled into barrels; the cooperage produces over 150 a year. 

This Bas Armagnac was distilled in 1983 and bottled in June 1993.

Armagnac is a style of brandy produced in the southwest of France, using the short alambic-armagnacais still which tends to produce richer spirits than that of Cognac. The impurities found in the spirit owing to these short stills require a long ageing period in order to reveal their silky richnesses within - thus well-aged Armagnacs can be a thing of utter beauty.

Caol Ila 2001 Distillers Edition C-si;9-473

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.

Launched in 1997, the Distillers Edition range was a twist on the standard Classic Malts series, with each finished in a variety of different casks. The first Caol Ila inclusion was in 2006, and the second maturation is in Moscatel casks.

Gilbey's London Dry Gin circa 1960s / Cinzano Import

A lovely old bottling of Gilbey's London Dry Gin.

This is a Cinzano import for the Italian market.

Clynelish Ainslie and Heilbron 12 year old 1960s

The original Clynelish distillery 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. The distillery remains an important part of Diageo blends to this day, however nowadays it is produced at a new Clynelish, opened by DCL in 1967. The original distillery was briefly run in tandem with new one, known as Clynelish B (and the new one Clynelish A), until being closed down in early 1968. Although operating under the same name, the original Clynelish has a distinct profile, particularly prior to its modernisation in the 1960s. Its single malt is increasingly revered, not least due to its re-opening in 1969 as Brora distillery. Having closed again in 1983, the distillery became legendary in the years that followed, with both original Clynelish and Brora becoming huge collector's items. 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.

As was often the case with the distilleries in the DCL portfolio, Clynelish was licensed to one of the blending companies within its portfolio. In this case it was Ainslie & Heilbron, a constituent of whom, James Ainslie & Co, had owned the distillery until 1912. When DCL were succeeded by United Distillers, one of the new company's first orders of business was to regain control of the distribution of its single malts, taking the licenses back from the blending houses. Clynelish single malt was not bottled again until 1991 when it became part of the Flora & Fauna range, and it would not be until 2002 that it was bottled with its own unique brand again.