April 2025 Auction

Moon Import The Animals Collection 6 x 75cl

Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

This is the original The Animals series, bottled between 1989 and 1990. There were 600 of each of these bottles released. A further 3 additions were released in 2001, exclusively to the Japanese market, a Highland Park 1975, Longmorn 1973 and a Tamdhu 1967.

• Glen Grant 1964 Sherry Butts 1-2-3 bottled in 1989 46% 
• Bunnahabhain 1964 Hogsheads 423-424-425 bottled in 1989 46% 
• Tomatin 1965 Hogsheads 124 - 25 -126 bottled in 1989 46%
• Dunglass / Littlemill 1967 Cssks 3447- 50 bottled in 1990 46% 
• Edradour 1971 Cask 3571-3572 bottled in 1990 46% 
• Tobermory 1972 Cask 1527 - 31 bottled in 1990 46% 

This lot has a 6 bottle shipping fee.

Macallan 1958 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old

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 distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

Macallan 1965 Signatory Vintage 29 Year Old

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 whisky was distilled on 25th February 1965 and aged in an ex-Sherry cask for 29 years.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Sherry Cask #6056 / TWE

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

This limited bottling was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2013 as an exclusive to The Whisky Exchange.

Produced from single cask #6056, which yielded an unspecified number of bottles. Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Sherry Cask #3663 / TWE

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

This Karuizawa was distilled in 1984 and matured in single first-fill Sherry cask #3663. It was bottled in 2013 by Number One Drinks for Speciality Drinks.

Macallan 1950 Handwritten Label / Rinaldi Import

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

This is a premium Macallan from the distillery's earliest foray into bottling their own single malts. It is part of a series of vintage releases, all with handwritten labels that includes a 1938, 1940, 1957 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada. They were all bottled between 1980 and 1983.

Macallan 1937 Gordon and MacPhail 34 Year Old / Pinerolo Import

A very rare bottle of a pre-war distilled Macallan, distilled in 1937 and matured for 34 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.  

Macallan 1959 Campbell, Hope and King 80 Proof / Rinaldi Import

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.  

Macallan have only been bottling their own product since 1980, prior to which they licensed their branding to independent bottlers. The most prominent of these was Campbell, Hope & King, a brewer by trade but with a stake in the blending and bottling business through their premises in Elgin. They bottled near-annual vintage releases of the \"over 15 years old,\" as well as an 8 and 12 year old age-statement. These were predominantly produced for the booming Italian market for single malts in the 1960s, but are now located all over the world as absolute staple pieces in every serious whisky collection.

The 1959 vintage was bottled several times between 1976 and 1979. The earliest releases feature the old white cap whereas those closer to the end of the decade are sealed with the Macallan-branded gold cap.

Macallan 1964 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old / Giovinetti Import

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 distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

Macallan 1959 Campbell, Hope and King 80 Proof / Rinaldi Import

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.  

Macallan have only been bottling their own product since 1980, prior to which they licensed their branding to independent bottlers. The most prominent of these was Campbell, Hope & King, a brewer by trade but with a stake in the blending and bottling business through their premises in Elgin. They bottled near-annual vintage releases of the \"over 15 years old,\" as well as an 8 and 12 year old age-statement. These were predominantly produced for the booming Italian market for single malts in the 1960s, but are now located all over the world as absolute staple pieces in every serious whisky collection.

The 1959 vintage was bottled several times between 1976 and 1979. The earliest releases feature the old white cap whereas those closer to the end of the decade are sealed with the Macallan-branded gold cap.

Miltonduff 1966 Sestante 23 Year Old / Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola

Miltonduff is located in Speyside and is perhaps best known as one of the key malts in the Ballantine's blends. It was purchased by Hiram Walker in the 1930s, who installed the Lomond stills that briefly produced the now sought after Mosstowie single malt in 1964, but these were removed again in 1981. The distillery changed hands a few times before arriving with current owners, Chivas Brothers, and despite its requirements for Ballantine's blends, official bottlings of its single malt have been deemed worthy of bottling by each of its proprietors, a sentiment shared by many independent companies too.  

This Miltonduff was distilled in 1966 and matured in sherry wood for 23 years. It was bottled by Sestante in 1990 for the Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Macallan 1965 Signatory Vintage 35 Year Old

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 whisky was distilled on 25th February 1965 and matured in single ex-Sherry cask #1059 for 35 years before being bottled in July 2000.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

One of 298 bottles.

Macallan 1946 Gordon and MacPhail 33 Year Old / Co. Pinerolo Import

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.

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.

Gordon & MacPhail helped Macallan survive during the 1930s and 1940s by buying a regular batch of stock from them, which in turn allowed them to release a lot of these special Macallan bottlings to the Italian market.

These \"Macallan-Glenlivet\" labels were introduced in the 1950s and could be considered the first official label. Gordon & MacPhail began to use them in the 1960s for Donini. This 33 year old was bottled in the 1970s for new distributors, Co. Import, Pinerolo.

Macallan 1966 Signatory Vintage 34 Year Old Rare Reserve

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

This is a Rare Reserve bottling of Macallan, distilled in 1966 and bottled in 2000.

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.

Macallan 1965 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old / Giovinetti Import

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 distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

Macallan 1966 Signatory Vintage 34 Year Old Rare Reserve

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

This is a Rare Reserve bottling of Macallan, distilled in 1966 and bottled in 2000.

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.

Macallan 1990 Exceptional Cask #24680

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

This is the fourth of six releases in what is now referred to as the original 'Exceptional Cask' range. These were the first ever publicly available single cask distillery bottlings.

Distilled in December 1990, matured in sherry butt #24680 then bottled in January 2003. 

Macallan 1989 Exceptional Cask #552 50CL

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

This is the fifth of six releases in what is now referred to as the original 'Exceptional Cask' range. These were the first ever publicly-available single cask distillery bottlings.

This was distilled in January 1989 and matured in single Oloroso sherry butt #552. It was bottled in November 2003.

Macallan 1984 18 Year Old

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.

Macallan vintage releases produced by Campbell, Hope & King tended to be aged around the 15 year old mark, but when Macallan took over the responsibility in 1980, they toyed for a few releases with more advanced age-statements of 17 and 18 years old. The latter was deemed the optimum maturation, and the official 18 year old was launched in 1984. It is now an absolute classic of the whisky world.

Distilled in 1984, this was was bottled in 2002. The 1983 vintage was one of 6 releases presented in tube packaging, all featuring the famous Sara Midda watercolours of Easter Elchies house.

Karuizawa 1992 Single Sherry Cask #3330

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

This Karuizawa was distilled in 1992 and matured in single American oak sherry butt #3330. It was bottled in 2007.

One of 430 bottles. 

Macallan Cask Strength 58.4% 75cl / US Import

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

This is a 2000s release of the US market Cask Strength release.

Macallan 1962 Campbell, Hope and King / Rinaldi Import

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.  

Macallan have only been bottling their own product since 1980, prior to which they licensed their branding to independent bottlers. The most prominent of these was Campbell, Hope & King, a brewer by trade but with a stake in the blending and bottling business through their premises in Elgin. They bottled near-annual vintage releases of the \"over 15 years old,\" as well as an 8 and 12 year old age-statement. These were predominantly produced for the booming Italian market for single malts in the 1960s, but are now located all over the world as absolute staple pieces in every serious whisky collection.

This 80 proof 1962 vintage was the last bottled by Campbell, Hope & King. Some were later rebottled by the distillery for a Fine and Rare release, the same one that features as a prop in the James Bond film, Skyfall.

Fratelli Rinaldi import for the Italian market.

Karuizawa 1999 The Last Bottling 14 Year Old / Isetan Shinjuku

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

This Karuizawa was distilled in 1999 and matured for 14 years. It was bottled in 2013, and though this was not the last bottling of the distillery's whisky, it was the final release to be made exclusive to Japanese department store chain Mitsukoshi Isetan, which is based in Shinjuku.

Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt 1980s / Giovinetti Import

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 distillery added a 25 year old to their annual output in 1983, called the Anniversary Malt and accompanied at the time by the limited edition 50 year old. The 25 year old Anniversary Malt was produced for two decades before being replaced, and is now one of the most highly prized expressions in the world of whisky.

This was bottled in the late 1980s and, unusually for the time, does not have the vintage or bottling year on it.

Komagatake 1988 Single Cask 29 Year Old #480 / Shinanoya 10th Anniversary

Japan's highest distillery, Shinshu was built by the whisky division of the Hombo Shuzo Co, known as Mars, in 1985. It is located in Miyada, a village in the Nagano Prefecture, and operated for seven years before being mothballed in 1992. Despite being relatively succesful in their native market, Mars had not had the success of its competitors Nikka and Suntory on the global stage, and the struggling Japanese whisky market at the time forced the company's hand. In the subsequent years however, things began to improve, and Shinshu distillery was eventually re-opened in 2011. Mars bottles its single malt under the Komagatake brand, and have also opened a sister distillery called Tsunuki to provide for its popular blends.. 

This Shinshu was distilled in 1988 and matured in single cask #480 for 29 years. It was bottled in 2017 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Shinanoya.

Macallan Edition No.1

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

This is the first release in the Edition series, launched in 2015. Matured in 58% Butts, 23% Hogsheads and 19% Puncheons, this liquid has been matured in the following 8 types of cask:

• 1st Fill Tevasa European Butts
• 1st Fill Toneleria Hudo European Butts
• 1st Fill Vasyma American Puncheons
• 1st Fill J & M Martin European Butts
• 1st Fill Gonzalez Byass European Butts
• 1st Fill Tevasa European Puncheons
• 2nd Fill Sherry European Hogsheads
• 2nd Fill Sherry European Butts   

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old 101 Proof 1985

Eagle Rare is a historic bourbon brand, originally developed by Seagram's in an effort to capitalise on what it felt were the popular marketing motifs used by Wild Turkey. The produced these early bottlings at the Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, before the label was acquired by the Sazerac company in the 1980s.

The Four Roses distillery was built in Lawrenceburg in 1910 by JTS Brown & Sons. Known back then as the Old Prentice, it is one of the Kentucky distilleries on the National Register of Historic Buildings for its distinctive Spanish mission style architecture. It was re-opened in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition, passing into the hands of Seagram in 1946, who moved the production of their Four Roses brand there and eventually renamed the distillery after it. When Seagram was wound up in the early 2000s, the distillery and its brands were bought by Japanese firm, Kirin, who continue to produce Four Roses to great acclaim, as well as contract distilling for a number of other bourbon brands.

The Sazerac company moved production of th the Eagle Rare brand to what is now Buffalo Trace in 1992.

Macallan Edition No.1

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

This is the first release in the Edition series, launched in 2015. Matured in 58% Butts, 23% Hogsheads and 19% Puncheons, this liquid has been matured in the following 8 types of cask:

• 1st Fill Tevasa European Butts
• 1st Fill Toneleria Hudo European Butts
• 1st Fill Vasyma American Puncheons
• 1st Fill J & M Martin European Butts
• 1st Fill Gonzalez Byass European Butts
• 1st Fill Tevasa European Puncheons
• 2nd Fill Sherry European Hogsheads
• 2nd Fill Sherry European Butts   

Macallan 12 Year Old early 1980s / Rinaldi Import

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.  

When Macallan assumed the responsibility for their own bottlings from Campbell, Hope & King in 1980, they inherited both an 8 and 12 year old age-statement release, quickly adding a new 10 year old into the mix as well. The 12 year old however was the firm favourite, and is the only of the three still in production today, bottled as part of the Sherry Oak Cask line of the core range.

Bottled here with the plastic screw cap used between 1981 and 1984. 

Macallan 8 Year Old Campbell, Hope and King 1970s / Rinaldi Import

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.  

A rare late 1970s bottling of Macallan 12 year old from Campbell, Hope & King. This was bottled in the mid 1970s, before Macallan assumed full responsibility for their own bottlings. Campbell, Hope & King shared the responsibility with Gordon & MacPhail in the 1970s.

Macallan 12 Year Old early 1980s / Giovinetti Import

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.  

When Macallan assumed the responsibility for their own bottlings from Campbell, Hope & King in 1980, they inherited both an 8 and 12 year old age-statement release, quickly adding a new 10 year old into the mix as well. The 10 year old was a popular edition for many years, but was eventually discontinued in 2013.

Bottled here with the plastic screw cap used between 1981 and 1984. 

Giovinetti & Figli import for the Italian market.

Macallan 10 Year Old Cask Strength 1 Litre mid-2000s / 58.7%

A 1 litre bottle of the discontinued and much loved cask strength 10 year old Macallan.

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.