April 2025 Auction

Clynelish Cadenhead's 23 Year Old 

A fantastic bottling of Clynelish, bottled by William Cadenhead in 1989. Incredibly rare, the majority of these were re-labelled with the more commonly seen white label by the Italian importer, Sestante.

Clynelish distillery as it is recognised today, was built in 1967 to replace the smaller distillery next-door, which was the original site of that name. The first distillery was closed, but later re-opened, changing its name to Brora (but that’s another story). Clynelish is part of the Diageo stable, having been taken over by DCL in 1912. Despite being an important part of the Johnnie Walker blends, it has long been bottled as a single malt.

Caol Ila 1968 Samaroli Full Proof

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 fantastic Italian import bottling of Caol Ila was distilled in 1968, prior to the expansion in the early 1970s. This is the only Samaroli bottling from the old version of the distillery and is highly sought after.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), he is regarded by many as a visionary. Many of his bottles now occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of whisky greats.

Silvano's early bottlings were filled for him Scotland by R.W. Duthie, a relationship that lasted until the early 1990s. This was bottled by Duthie & Co for Samaroli in 1982.

Cask: Bunnahabhain Moine 2006 Hogshead #800054 / Stored at Inveralmond Bond

This hogshead cask of Bunnahabhain Moine single malt spirit was filled on 1st December 2006 and is currently maturing at a bonded warehouse in Inveralmond, Perth.

The following are the results of a cask regauge on 9th November 2024.

• New Bulk: 184.6 Litre
• Strength: 53.2%
• Regauged Litres of Alcohol: 98.8 

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: This cask will need to be moved from it's current location within 30 days of the auction ending.

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

Caol Ila 1969 Gordon and MacPhail 15 Year Old Cask Strength Celtic Label / Intertrade Import

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 1969 and matured for 15 years.

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.

This is part of the Celtic Label series, an Italian exclusive range bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for Italian importers Giuseppe Meregalli, Donini and Nadi Fiori's Intertrade.

Cask: Island Single Malt 2008 Hogshead #44 / stored at Inveralmond Bond

This island single malt was sourced from one of Scotland's oldest distilleries still in operation, and one famed for its popular Viking aesthetic.

Distilled on 4th December 2008, this whisky is currently maturing in Hogshead #44 at a bonded warehouse in Inveralmond, Perth.

The following are the results of a cask regauge on 7th April 2025:

• Bulk Litres: 230.0
• Strength: 61.20%
• Regauged Litres of Alcohol: 140.7

*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

Cask: Island Single Malt 2008 Hogshead #38 / stored at Inveralmond Bond

This island single malt was sourced from one of Scotland's oldest distilleries still in operation, and one famed for its popular Viking aesthetic.

Distilled on 4th December 2008, this whisky is currently maturing in Hogshead #38 at a bonded warehouse in Inveralmond, Perth.

The following are the results of a cask regauge on 7th April 2025:

• Bulk Litres: 220.8
• Strength: 64.10%
• Regauged Litres of Alcohol: 141.5

*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

Clynelish 1972 Gordon and MacPhail Private Collection

Clynelish distillery as it is recognised today, was built in 1967 to replace the smaller distillery next-door, which was the original site of that name. The first distillery was closed, but later re-opened, changing its name to Brora (but that’s another story). Clynelish is part of the Diageo stable, having been taken over by DCL in 1925. Despite being an important part of the Johnnie Walker blends, it has long been bottled as a single malt.

This Clynelish was distilled in May 1972 and matured in single refill American oak hogshead #5335. It was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in November 2022 as part of their Private Collection, which replaced the Rare Old range in 2018.

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.

One of 135 bottles. 

Caol Ila 1969 Intertrade 18 Year Old Cask Strength

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Rimini. The company was a collaboration with beer distributors, the Turatello Brothers, and the Intertrade name appears on Fiori's bottlings up to around 1989. Fiori selected his whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail catalogue, but as a collector himself, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi, he knew the importance striking label designs and requested many of his bottlings at cask strength. Whether under the Intertrade, Turatello or High Spirits banner, Fiori's bottlings are some of the most sought after on the market.

This was distilled in June 1969 and bottled in June 1987.

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.

One of 273 bottles.

Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie and Heilbron Cask Strength 1969 / Edward and Edward

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.

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.

This rare Ainslie & Heilbron bottling was produced in the 1969 on behalf of the legendary Italian bar owner, Edoardo Giaccone.

Giaccone was something of a trailblazer, and was importing specially bottled official single malts for his bar from the late 1960s, this is one of his earliest. He opened the famous venue in 1958, and it has been called a few different things over the years, including Garten, Edward & Edward (during the period this was imported), and La Taverna del Comandante.

Edoardo set the stage for later legendary bottlers such as Silvano Samaroli, Nadi Fiori and Ernesto Mainardi. Moon Import founder, Pepi Mongiardino said, \"he was the first person I visited\" when he became the distributor for Bruichladdich in 1981. Giaccone did not have any of his own labels or series, but was the first person in Italy to have official bottlings produced exclusively for him. Through his bar, Italy was treated to exclusive releases from Clynelish, Bowmore, Dalmore, Highland Park and even Jack Daniel's.

This 12 year old was bottle at a cask strength of 56.9%, at his request. Clynelish bottled three batches of this for Giaccone in 1969, 1971 and 1973.

Ardbeg 1967 Signatory Vintage 28 Year Old / Dark Oloroso Butt #574

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

This Ardbeg was distilled on 15th February 1967 and matured in single dark Oloroso sherry butt #574 for 28 years. The whisky was then bottled by Signatory Vintage in November 1995. A legendary vintage of Ardbeg, this bottling was awarded a stunning 96 points by WhiskyFun, one of the highest marks ever given to an Ardbeg!

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 488 bottles.

Nikka Taketsuru 35 Year Old

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

The Nikka Taketsuru range marries single malt Japanese whisky produced at the company's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries.

This 35 year old is the oldest available and originally reserved for the Japanese market.

One of only 1,000 bottles.

Nikka Taketsuru 35 Year Old

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

The Nikka Taketsuru range marries single malt Japanese whisky produced at the company's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries.

This 35 year old is the oldest available and originally reserved for the Japanese market.

One of only 1,000 bottles.

Ardbeg 1973 Kingsbury 27 Year Old

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

The rising demand for its product in the 1970s meant that Ardbeg was forced to stop using its own malted barley, instead buying it in from the neighbouring Port Ellen maltings. The result was a change in the style and profile of the distillery's whisky, and pre-1974 vintages such as this are incredibly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike.

Kingsbury are Japan's most sought after independent bottler. They were founded in 1989 by Eaglesome, the high-end deli in Campbeltown that was purchased by J & A Mitchell & Co of Springbank distillery, and turned into one of the region's finest whisky merchants. They initially bottled Kingsbury's exclusively for the Japanese market, before the label was acquired by native firm, the Japanese Import System. They have released a number of some of the most collectible whiskies, including some classic vintages from Bowmore, and two dark sherry casked Ardbeg.

One of only 228 bottles.

Ardbeg 1967 Signatory Vintage 30 Year Old / Dark Oloroso Butt #1138

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

The rising demand for its product in the 1970s meant that Ardbeg was forced to stop using its own malted barley, instead buying it in from the neighbouring Port Ellen maltings. The result was a change in the style and profile of the distillery's whisky, and pre-1974 vintages such as this are incredibly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike.

This legendary Ardbeg was distilled in March 1967 and matured in single dark Oloroso butt #1138 for 30 years. It was bottled by Signatory Vintage in March 1997.

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 580 bottles.

Ardbeg 1973 Samaroli 20th Anniversary

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest in blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

A 1973 vintage Ardbeg, bottled by R.W. Duthie for Samaroli in 1988 as part of a series celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), he is regarded by many as a visionary. Many of his bottles now occupy deserved sports on the pantheon of whisky greats.

The labels on this 20th anniversary series have been lovingly reappropriated from Samaroli's first ever series, his 1979/1980 collaboration with Cadenhead's. The image on this Ardbeg was first used on the 14 year old Glen Elgin from that set.

One of 375 bottles.

Caol Ila 1968 Gordon and MacPhail Original 'Cask'

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 vintage is from Gordon & MacPhail's Original 'Cask' series, which represented their first foray into cask strength bottlings in order to keep up with the market trend in preference for these in the late 1980s.

1968 vintage Caol ila are particularly special as it was the final year of distilation before they stopped using direct-firing stills, changing the profile of later expressions.

Ardbeg 1976 Single Sherry Butt #2397 

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997.

This whisky was filled into single ex-Sherry Butt #2397 on 4th November 1976 and bottled on10th June 2008.

One of only 519 bottles.

Ardbeg 1976 Single Sherry Cask #2398 / Feis Ile 2004

You wouldn't think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979, closing many of their other distilleries a few years later. Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era of oversupply when interest in blended Scotch was waning, resulting in the distillery closing down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. 

This Ardbeg was distilled in November 1976 and matured in single sherry butt #2398. It was bottled in May 2004 and made available to revellers at the Feis Ile festival on Islay that year.

Feis Ile, also known as the Islay Festival of Music and Malt had humble beginnings. It traces it origins back to 1985 and the establishment of The Islay Festival Association after it was realised that an event celebrating Gaelic, music and culture would drive tourism to the island. The inaugural event was two weeks of music, drama and workshops with ceilidhs, concerts and dances in the evening. The first whisky tasting took place as a festival event in 1990, and ten years later the island's distilleries began to be directly involved, organising their annual open days to coincide with it. Today it is one of the biggest events on the whisky calendar, annually drawing hundreds of revellers, and turning out an increasingly sought-after batch of limited edition whiskies like this.

One of 504 bottles.

Nikka Taketsuru 35 Year Old

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

The Nikka Taketsuru range marries single malt Japanese whisky produced at the company's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries.

This 35 year old is the oldest available and originally reserved for the Japanese market.

One of only 1,000 bottles.

Caperdonich 1969 Duncan Taylor 50 Year Old

Caperdonich distillery was built next-door to Glen Grant in 1892, and for much of its history was known simply as Glen Grant 2. Expansion via additional distillery has been a method used by several producers over the years, but Glen Grant was the first. Glen Grant 2 was only open for 4 years after being built, and remained closed until 1965 when demand in Italy for Glen Grant single malt meant the second distillery was once again required to meet the needs of the blenders. Now legally required to have a different name, the site was christened Caperdonich. Glen Grant sold it on to Seagram in 1977, who continued to use it for blending purposes until they were wound up in the early 2000s. Pernod-Ricard acquired many of their assets in the Scotch industry in 2001, including Caperdonich which they shut down the following year. Its single malt was only briefly officially bottled while in operation, with further distillery bottlings only appearing from Pernod-Ricard in recent years. Production in its later years was high however, and many independent bottlings of this hidden Speyside gem have been produced.

This Caperdonich was distilled in October 1969 and matured for 50 years in single cask #3253. It was bottled by Duncan Taylor in April 2020 

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 88 bottles.

Please note, due to size and weight, this lot will incur a 4 bottle shipping fee.

Ardbeg 1975 Cadenhead's Single Cask #77/74-2

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

Wm. Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, founded in 1842 by George Duncan. His brother William Cadenhead joined the company in 1852, taking over after George’s death in 1858. The company got into the whisky bottling business after 1904, when his nephew Robert Duthie took over, and since its sale to J&A Mitchell in 1972, Wm. Cadenhead has become on of the most sought after names in whisky.

These white-labelled Cask Strength releases are rare and sought-after single cask bottlings.

Ardbeg 1975 Single Oloroso Cask #4704 / Feis Ile 2005

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997.

This Ardbeg was distilled in December 1975 and matured in single Oloroso cask #4704. It was bottled in April 2005 and made available to distillery visitors during the Feis Ile festival on Islay that year.

Feis Ile, also known as the Islay Festival of Music and Malt had humble beginnings. It traces it origins back to 1985 and the establishment of The Islay Festival Association after it was realised that an event celebrating Gaelic, music and culture would drive tourism to the island. The inaugural event was rwo weeks of music, drama and workshops with ceilidhs, concerts and dances in the evening. The first whisky tasting took place as a festival event in 1990, and ten years later the island's distilleries began to be directly involved, organising their annual open days to coincide with it. Today it is one of the biggest events on the whisky calendar, annually drawing hundreds of revellers, and turning out an increasingly sought-after batch of limited edition whiskies like this.

One of 270 bottles.

Clynelish 1973 Prestonfield House 33 Year Old / 1st Bottling

Clynelish distillery as it is recognised today, was built in 1967 to replace the smaller distillery next-door, which was the original site of that name. The first distillery was closed, but later re-opened, changing its name to Brora (but that's another story). Clynelish is part of the Diageo stable, having been taken over by DCL in 1925. Despite being an important part of the Johnnie Walker blends, it has long been bottled as a single malt.

Prestonfield House have released a number of excellent whiskies over the years, this Clynelish is certainly one of them!

The second 1973 vintage bottled for them in 2006 at 33 years old.

One of 405 bottles drawn from cask #8912 and bottled by Signatory Vintage for The Prestonfield Whisky Co.

The label features an image of the eponymous Prestonfield Hotel and one of their famous peacocks which roam the grounds.

Cask #8912 was awarded an incredible score of 95 points (an all time best for Clynelish) by Serge Valetin of WhiskyFun.

Aberlour 44 Year Old Cellar Collection / Distillery Exclusive

Aberlour is a picturesque Speyside distillery, built in 1879 by James Fleming after the original distillery of the same name was lost in a fire. It became the first distillery in the S. Campbell & Son portfolio when they acquired it in 1945, and produced fillings for their popular Clan Campell and White Heather blends. Production capacity was increased to meet rising demand for its spirit in 1973, and the following year the company was bought over by Pernod-Ricard who operated it under the Campbell Distillers before merging it with Chivas Brothers, which they acquired from Seagram in 2001. The reverence for the sherry-casked A'Bunadh, launched in 1997, has greatly boosted the popularity of the distillery, and its output from all eras is increasingly sought after.

The whisky was aged for 44 years and is displayed in a classic wooden box.

One of just 42 bottles.

A.H. Hirsch Reserve 1974 16 Year Old Bourbon / 2003 Release

A legendary bottle of bourbon that has had a whole book written about itself: The Best Bourbon You'll Never Taste by Charles K Cowdery.

Distilled in Spring 1974, this bourbon is bottled from a single 400 barrel batch commissioned by Adolph Hirsch and distilled under contract at Michter's distillery (then known as Pennco), just outside Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Hirsch was a former Schenley executive who had briefly worked at Michter's during his time there, and it is believed he commissioned the whisky as financial favour to the distillery, and actually had little plans for its use. So, it lay ageing in the warehouses for much longer than generally expected for a bourbon at the time. 

With the closure of Michter's distillery, the bourbon was sold by Hirsch to Gordon Hue in 1989, who set about bottling it immediately.

Responsibility for the early bottling was entrusted to Julian Van Winkle III at his Old Commonwealth site in Lawrenceburg. However, his partnership with the Sazerac Company and creation of the Pappy Van Winkle brand in 2002, also saw bottling of the Hirsch Reserve moved briefly to Buffalo Trace. This is one of the Buffalo Trace bottles, filled in 2003 for the new owners of the Hirsch Reserve, Preiss Imports, who purchased it from Gordon Hue that year.

Preiss Imports moved the subsequent and final bottling (technically re-bottling) to Kentucky Bourbon Distillers' Willett facility.

In his book Cowdery refers to the bourbon as one of the \"best whiskeys I've ever tasted.\"

Mash bill contains 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.

Clynelish 1977 Gordon and MacPhail Private Collection

Clynelish distillery as it is recognised today, was built in 1967 to replace the smaller distillery next-door, which was the original site of that name. The first distillery was closed, but later re-opened, changing its name to Brora (but that’s another story). Clynelish is part of the Diageo stable, having been taken over by DCL in 1925. Despite being an important part of the Johnnie Walker blends, it has long been bottled as a single malt.

This Clynelish was distilled in March 1977 and matured in single refill American oak hogshead #2069. It was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in November 2024 as part of their Private Collection, which replaced the Rare Old range in 2018.

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.

One of 96 bottles. 

A. Hardy Perfection Cognac 75cl

A super premium cognac from A. Hardy presented in a beautiful decanter. 

The Hardy cognac house was founded in 1863 by an English cognac broker, Antoine Hardy.

1 of 300 bottles.

Ardbeg 1973 Douglas Laing 30 Year Old / Old and Rare - 51.9%

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

The rising demand for its product in the 1970s meant that Ardbeg was forced to stop using its own malted barley, instead buying it in from the neighbouring Port Ellen maltings. The result was a change in the style and profile of the distillery's whisky, and pre-1974 vintages such as this are incredibly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike.

This rare Ardbeg was distilled in 1973 and matured in a single cask for 30 years. It was bottled at natural cask strength in 2003.

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

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

One of only 94 bottles.

Ardbeg 1973 Douglas Laing 30 Year Old / Old and Rare - 51.9%

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

The rising demand for its product in the 1970s meant that Ardbeg was forced to stop using its own malted barley, instead buying it in from the neighbouring Port Ellen maltings. The result was a change in the style and profile of the distillery's whisky, and pre-1974 vintages such as this are incredibly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike.

This rare Ardbeg was distilled in 1973 and matured in a single cask for 30 years. It was bottled at natural cask strength in 2003.

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

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

One of only 94 bottles.

Chichibu Antipodes Series 4 x 70cl / LMDW - Signed

The Antipodes Collection which was bottled for legendary French spirit merchants, La Maison du Whisky.

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.

• Chichibu 2014 Single Bourbon Cask #3812 / LMDW 64.3% 70cl one of 187 bottles.
• Chichibu 2013 Single Wine Cask #9664 / LMDW 61.0% 70cl one of 263 bottles.
• Chichibu 2015 Single Bourbon Cask #4660 / LMDW 63.9% 70cl one of 215 bottles.
• Chichibu 2013 Single Virgin Oak Cask #2856 / LMDW 61.0% 70cl one of 177 bottles.

These bottles have been hand signed by Ichiro Akuto.

NOTE: This lot will include a four bottle shipping-fee

Caol Ila 1974 Intertrade 14 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Rimini. The company was a collaboration with beer distributors, the Turatello Brothers, and the Intertrade name appears on Fiori's bottlings up to around 1989. Fiori selected his whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail catalogue, but as a collector himself, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi, he knew the importance striking label designs and requested many of his bottlings at cask strength. Whether under the Intertrade, Turatello or High Spirits banner, Fiori's bottlings are some of the most sought after on the market.

This Caol Ila was distilled in April 1974 and laid to rest for 14 years before being bottled in July 1988.

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.

One of only 294 bottles.

This particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Chartreuse VEP 1975 Release 1 Litre

Chartreuse was originally created in 1605 by monks using a recipe for an elixir of long life.  It was produced produced between 1904-1989 in Tarragona (Spain) after the Carthusian Monks were exiled from France. In 1989 the distillery in Tarragona closed down and the production of this liquor returned to France. Today the bottles produced in the distillery of Tarragona have become some of the most expensive and sought after liquors in the world. The recipe contains more than 130 different plants and flowers.

This Chartreuse, VEP - Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolonge - has spent extended periods in oak barrels