April 2025 Auction

Strathisla 1949 Gordon and MacPhail Private Collection

Speyside's oldest operating distillery, Strathisla was founded in 1786 as Milltown, and later renamed Milton in 1890. The distillery was an early advocate of its single malt, which it sold under the brand name Strathisla, after the river that runs past the site. Strathisla single malt was bottled as early as the late 19th century, and proved very popular. Nonetheless, by the 1940s it was struggling, needing to be rescued by Canadian giants Seagram, who bought it in 1950, renaming it Strathisla the following year, and tasking it as a key contributor to its Chivas blends. Despite this, the single malt brand remained a core part of the business, and remains so to this day.

Seagram licensed the distillery’s single malt brand to their Chivas Brothers blending operation, but also to Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. It is the latter’s bottles that are far more prominent. This good standing with the distillery has furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and, subsequently, high-quality releases.

Distilled in May 1949 and bottled in 2022 by Gordon and Macphail, who have opted to use the name 'Milton' as a tribute to the distillery's name at the time of the whisky's distillation.

Gordon & MacPhail is an Elgin-based family run business, established in 1895 and owned by the Urquhart family. They are perhaps best known for their independent bottlings of single malt, such as the instantly recognisable Connoisseurs Choice brand, and increasingly as distillers in their own right, having acquired Benromach distillery in 1993. The company also has a stake in the blending business though, and has produced a number of well-regarded products over the years.

Please note: Due to the size and weight this lot will incur a two bottle shipping fee

Springbank 1965 Local Barley #9

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts. 

This is one of a select number of releases produced using malted barley harvested from neighbouring farms in the Campbeltown area. They were first introduced in the 1990s, and were eventually re-named as the Local Barley series in the 2000s.

This Springbank was distilled in January 1965 and matured in single cask #9. The barley for the release is from the Machrimore farm, and even the coal, peat and water used in the production of the whisky were sourced from within an 8 mile radius of the distillery. It was bottled in September 2001.

Sestante Marchesi Spinola Collection No.1 x 6

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.

This is the very first Sestante collection of whiskies for Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola. All of the following were bottled in 1990;

• Glen Gordon 1974 Sestante 15 Year Old, 40% 75cl - Sherry Wood
• Miltonduff 1966 Sestante 23 Year Old, 61.4% 75cl - Sherry Wood
• Tomatin 1968 Sestante 21 Year Old, 40% 75cl - 'Oak' Wood
• Port Ellen 1974 Sestante 15 Year Old, 40% 75cl - 'Oak' Wood
• Longmorn 1971 Sestante 18 Year Old, 58.1% 75cl - Sherry Wood
• Glenlossie 1973 Sestante 17 Year Old, 40% 75cl - Sherry Wood

NOTE: This lot will include a six bottle shipping fee.

Talisker 1957 Gordon and MacPhail Cask Strength / 53.5%

For a long time, Talisker was the sole distillery on Scotland’s iconic Isle of Skye. Renowned for the quality of its output, the distillery has rarely changed hands, joining DCL (now Diageo) back in 1916. Despite this, releases were not the most common. An 8 year old was bottled officially and Gordon & MacPhail produced what are now classic and sought after vintage bottlings under official license from the distillery. When a 10 year old expression became a founding pillar of United Distillers’ Classic Malts range, the popularity of the distillery exploded, and it is now one of the most revered and exported in Scotland. As such, independent bottlings like this are scarce, and particularly sought after when they appear.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license by DCL to officially bottle Talisker single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. Although their access to casks of Talisker has dried up in recent years, these older releases are regarded as being of exceptional quality, and are highly sought after.

The distilleries in the DCL portfolio were always licensed to one of their blending companies, who often had their own single malt brands for them. As a result, those also licensed to Gordon & MacPhail (Linkwood, Mortlach and Talisker) were bottled using special labels, each recognisable by their uniform use of the eagle motif. When United Distillers succeeded DCL in the late 1980s, they returned the licenses to their distilleries. It was the success of the Classic Malts 10 year old that followed which spelled the end for Gordon & MacPhail’s supply.

Scapa 1958 Samaroli 52% / Handwritten Labels

Scapa distillery was the third to be constructed on Orkney, preceded by Highland Park and Stromness, although out-lasting the latter. It was built in 1885, and its early history was blighted with fires and closures. It was bought by Canadian giants, Hiram Walker, in 1954. As with several of their other distilleries, they experimented with the use of Lomond stills, installing Scapa's in 1959. Although it was decommissioned 20 years later, the still itself continues to be used, now without the rectifying plates. It is the only one of this type still producing Scotch whisky. Its single malt has been bottled since the 1970s, first under license by Gordon & MacPhail, with a 10 year old distillery bottling then launched in the 1980s. Scapa has since passed through the hands of Allied Distillers and is now part of the Pernod-Ricard portfolio.

In the words of Emmanuel Dron, owner of the Auld Alliance - \"The 1958 Samaroli is probably the best Scapa ever bottled.\"  It's certainly one of the oldest vintages known to exist. 

Bottled in 1985, two versions were produced, one at 52% and one at 46%. Both are exceptionally hard to find.

This was part of the Handwritten Labels series. While Samaroli was famed for his keen eye for aesthetic in designing his own labels, this series simply features his own elegant calligraphy reproduced on them.

Stewart 1898 Pure Rye

The Stewart Distilling Co., which operated until Prohibition was based in Baltimore county in Maryland, USA.

Springbank 45 Year Old Millennium Limited Edition

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

Released in September 2000, this 45 year old was the fifth instalment of a six-part series produced for the new Millennium. Launched in late 1998, the set comprised whiskies matured from 25 to 50 years, all now highly-prized amongst collectors.

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.

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.

Springbank 12 Year Old 100 Proof Green Thistle 1990s / 57%

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is a 1990s bottle of the Springbank 12 year old, bottled at 100 imperial proof.

These releases are affectionately known as the 'Green Thistle' bottlings on account of their packaging.

The Last Drop 20 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt

They story of Last Drop Distillers began in 2007 when James Espey and Tom Jago, friends of 45 years, started a small blending company in London. The pair boasted a wealth of collected experience within the industry before they started the project. Espey had clocked up over 50 years in the drinks industry working for the likes of Coca-Cola and eventually become the chairman of Chivas Brothers, and Jago was the former head of innovations at International Distillers & Vintners (IDV), where he helped invent brands such as Baileys Irish Cream, Le Piat d’Or and what would eventually become Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The aim of their new venture was to focus on producing extremely limited, high-end blended Scotch, although the portfolio has since grown to include other whiskies, rum, cognac and wine. The very first release came in 2008. The company grew in 2010 when daughter Rebecca Jago joined, and she was followed by Beanie Espey in 2014. Then, in 2016 Espey and Jago agreed to sell their company to American drinks giant and Buffalo Trace distillery-owner, the Sazerac Company. In its relatively short history, Last Drop Distillers has enjoyed success with its modest but ever-increasing catalogue of releases, each of which are highly-regarded by collectors and experts alike.

This is a blend of Japanese single malts, including whisky from the legendary Hanyu distillery, from both its first and final vintages - 1980 and 2000. With the youngest component of the blend matured for 20 years, this was drawn from a single Mizunara oak cask. It was bottled by Last Drop Distillers in May 2021, as the brand's 30th release. Presented here in an elegant presentation box alongside a 5cl sample.

One of 180 bottles.

Please note due to the weight and size of this lot, it will require a four-bottle shipping fee.

Suntory Tsukuriwake Selection 2024 Editions 4 x 70cl / Wooden Presentation Case

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it in 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

The set includes four bottles of Yamazaki and Hakushu, all bottled as part of the 2024 Tsukuriwake selection:

• Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Japanese oak cask 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Golden Promise 48% 70cl
• Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt 48% 70cl

The bottles are presented in a branded wooden case, which was a limited edition for the Spanish Market.

Note: Due to the weight of this lot it will include a nine bottle shipping fee.

Suntory Tsukuriwake Selection 2024 Editions 4 x 70cl / Wooden Presentation Case

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it in 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

The set includes four bottles of Yamazaki and Hakushu, all bottled as part of the 2024 Tsukuriwake selection:

• Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Japanese oak cask 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Golden Promise 48% 70cl
• Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt 48% 70cl

The bottles are presented in a branded wooden case, which was a limited edition for the Spanish Market.

Note: Due to the weight of this lot it will include a nine bottle shipping fee.

Talisker 1978 Samaroli Sherry Wood / Curved Distillery Label

For a long time, Talisker was the sole distillery on Scotland’s iconic Isle of Skye. Renowned for the quality of its output, the distillery has rarely changed hands, joining DCL (now Diageo) back in 1916. Despite this, releases were not the most common. An 8 year old was bottled officially and Gordon & MacPhail produced what are now classic and sought after vintage bottlings under official license from the distillery. When a 10 year old expression became a founding pillar of United Distillers’ Classic Malts range, the popularity of the distillery exploded, and it is now one of the most revered and exported in Scotland. As such, independent bottlings like this are scarce, and particularly sought after when they appear.

A beautifully coloured bottling of Talisker from Silvano Samaroli, distilled in 1978 and bottled in 1992. This is part of series of classic labels, affectionately termed as the 'Curved Distillery Name' series, released between 1986 and 1992. This was one of the later releases, and one of the last where Samaroli was still in business with Aberdeen bottlers R.W. Duthie (their commitments to Cadenhead's were so time consuming by the early 1990s that this brought an end to the partnership).

Samaroli are 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!), founder Silvano Samaroli is regarded by many as a visionary. Since his passing in 2017, the company has been run by his friend Antonio Bleve, who continues his tradition of high quality releases. Many of Silvano’s early bottlings occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of all-time whisky greats.

One of 1,572 bottles.

Suntory Tsukuriwake Selection 2024 Editions 4 x 70cl

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it in 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

The set includes four bottles of Yamazaki and Hakushu, all bottled as part of the 2024 Tsukuriwake selection:

• Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Japanese oak cask 48% 70cl
• Yamazaki Golden Promise 48% 70cl
• Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt 48% 70cl

Springbank 32 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

An older expression from this Campbeltown classic, this Springbank was distilled in 1971 and matured for 32 years in refill sherry casks. It was bottled in 2004 and is one of 2,400 bottles.

Springbank 1965 26 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.  

This a very well-aged Springbank, distilled in April 1965 and bottled 26 years later in January 1992.

Springbank 'Glen Cawdor' 1976 Samaroli / Violin Case

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

The Glen Cawdor name was in part borrowed by Silvano Samaroli from Shakespeare; Castle Cawdor of course being the setting for MacBeth. Samaroli used the Glen Cawdor name to disguise the the real name of certain distilleries, most commonly Springbank, which is generally what this example is believed to be. This was distilled in 1964 and bottled in 1983 from a single sherry cask by R.W. Duthie.

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.

One of only 960 bottles

A three-bottle shipping fee will be applied to this lot.

The Last Drop 1971 Scotch Whisky

They story of Last Drop Distillers began in 2007 when James Espey and Tom Jago, friends of 45 years, started a small blending company in London. The pair boasted a wealth of collected experience within the industry before they started the project. Espey had clocked up over 50 years in the drinks industry working for the likes of Coca-Cola and eventually become the chairman of Chivas Brothers, and Jago was the former head of innovations at International Distillers & Vintners (IDV), where he helped invent brands such as Baileys Irish Cream, Le Piat d’Or and what would eventually become Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The aim of their new venture was to focus on producing extremely limited, high-end blended Scotch, although the portfolio has since grown to include other whiskies, rum, cognac and wine. The very first release came in 2008. The company grew in 2010 when daughter Rebecca Jago joined, and she was followed by Beanie Espey in 2014. Then, in 2016 Espey and Jago agreed to sell their company to American drinks giant and Buffalo Trace distillery-owner, the Sazerac Company. In its relatively short history, Last Drop Distillers has enjoyed success with its modest but ever-increasing catalogue of releases, each of which are highly-regarded by collectors and experts alike.

This unusual blend is a vatting of over 40 single malts and single grains, all distilled in 1971. It was initially blended in 1983 as a 12 year old premium blend. A portion of this vatting was re-racked into Oloroso butts. In 1992 it was partially bottled again, and the remainder filled into nine American oak barrels. It was left for a further 24 years until the spirit had reached a total age of 45 years. It was bottled by Last Drop Distillers in June 2017, as their tenth release. Presented here in an elegant presentation box alongside a 5cl sample.

One of 1,352 bottles.

Please note due to the weight and size of this lot, it will require a four-bottle shipping fee.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Signature Blend

They story of Last Drop Distillers began in 2007 when James Espey and Tom Jago, friends of 45 years, started a small blending company in London. The pair boasted a wealth of collected experience within the industry before they started the project. Espey had clocked up over 50 years in the drinks industry working for the likes of Coca-Cola and eventually become the chairman of Chivas Brothers, and Jago was the former head of innovations at International Distillers & Vintners (IDV), where he helped invent brands such as Baileys Irish Cream, Le Piat d’Or and what would eventually become Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The aim of their new venture was to focus on producing extremely limited, high-end blended Scotch, although the portfolio has since grown to include other whiskies, rum, cognac and wine. The very first release came in 2008. The company grew in 2010 when daughter Rebecca Jago joined, and she was followed by Beanie Espey in 2014. Then, in 2016 Espey and Jago agreed to sell their company to American drinks giant and Buffalo Trace distillery-owner, the Sazerac Company. In its relatively short history, Last Drop Distillers has enjoyed success with its modest but ever-increasing catalogue of releases, each of which are highly-regarded by collectors and experts alike.

This is an impressive 50 year old blended Scotch whisky, dubbed the Signature Blend. It was bottled by Last Drop Distillers in 2021, and presented in an elegant presentation box alongside a 5cl sample.

One of 500 bottles.

Tobermory 1972 Moon Import 33 Year Old Private Stock

This is a rare single malt from the Isle of Mull's Tobermory distillery. Opened way back in 1798, it was originally known as Ledaig. It was dormant for the majority of the 20th century, shut down by DCL in 1930, and when it re-opened in 1972, it did so as again as Ledaig distillery. Its revival was only brief however, closing down in 1975. When the distillery was again re-opened in 1979, it was now known as Tobermory. Its production in former years had generally been peated whisky like this, and the single malt was still bottled under the brand name of Ledaig. The newly revived company began producing non-peated as well, for the provision of a blended malt which they marketed under the Tobermory name. Burn Stewart discontinued the blend when they took over in 1993, opting to continue the production of both styles as two distinct single malt brands. The un-peated single malt took over the Tobermory name, while the traditional peated style fittingly retained the historic Ledaig name.

This is one of the legendary 1972 vintages from Ledaig (despite being labelled as Tobermory). It was aged 33 years and bottled by the distillery from Mongiardino's private stocks.

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.

One of 960 bottles.

Springbank 1963

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts. 

This is a spectacular bottling of 1963 vintage Springbank, bottled in the 1980s.

Springbank 32 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This Springbank was distilled in 1971 and matured for 32 years in refill sherry casks. It was bottled in 2004.

One of 2,400 bottles.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Blended Grain

They story of Last Drop Distillers began in 2007 when James Espey and Tom Jago, friends of 45 years, started a small blending company in London. The pair boasted a wealth of collected experience within the industry before they started the project. Espey had clocked up over 50 years in the drinks industry working for the likes of Coca-Cola and eventually become the chairman of Chivas Brothers, and Jago was the former head of innovations at International Distillers & Vintners (IDV), where he helped invent brands such as Baileys Irish Cream, Le Piat d’Or and what would eventually become Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The aim of their new venture was to focus on producing extremely limited, high-end blended Scotch, although the portfolio has since grown to include other whiskies, rum, cognac and wine. The very first release came in 2008. The company grew in 2010 when daughter Rebecca Jago joined, and she was followed by Beanie Espey in 2014. Then, in 2016 Espey and Jago agreed to sell their company to American drinks giant and Buffalo Trace distillery-owner, the Sazerac Company. In its relatively short history, Last Drop Distillers has enjoyed success with its modest but ever-increasing catalogue of releases, each of which are highly-regarded by collectors and experts alike.

This is a blended grain whisky, distilled from corn, wheat and malted barley and matured for an impressive 50 years in bourbon casks. Drawn from a single cask, it was bottled by Last Drop Distillers in November 2022, as their thirty-first release. Presented here in an elegant presentation box alongside a 5cl sample.

One of 203 bottles.

Please note due to the weight and size of this lot, it will require a four-bottle shipping fee.

The Last Drop 56 Year Old Scotch Whisky

They story of Last Drop Distillers began in 2007 when James Espey and Tom Jago, friends of 45 years, started a small blending company in London. The pair boasted a wealth of collected experience within the industry before they started the project. Espey had clocked up over 50 years in the drinks industry working for the likes of Coca-Cola and eventually become the chairman of Chivas Brothers, and Jago was the former head of innovations at International Distillers & Vintners (IDV), where he helped invent brands such as Baileys Irish Cream, Le Piat d’Or and what would eventually become Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The aim of their new venture was to focus on producing extremely limited, high-end blended Scotch, although the portfolio has since grown to include other whiskies, rum, cognac and wine. The very first release came in 2008. The company grew in 2010 when daughter Rebecca Jago joined, and she was followed by Beanie Espey in 2014. Then, in 2016 Espey and Jago agreed to sell their company to American drinks giant and Buffalo Trace distillery-owner, the Sazerac Company. In its relatively short history, Last Drop Distillers has enjoyed success with its modest but ever-increasing catalogue of releases, each of which are highly-regarded by collectors and experts alike.

This blend is a vatting comprised of over 60% single malts, with the youngest whisky distilled in 1963. It was initially matured in sherry wood, then re-racked into four bourbon barrels for over 20 years. It was bottled by Last Drop Distillers in May 2019. Presented here in an elegant presentation box alongside a 5cl sample.

One of 732 bottles.

Please note due to the weight and size of this lot, it will require a four-bottle shipping fee.

Springbank 1965 29 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.  

This a very well-aged Springbank, distilled in November 1965 and bottled 29 years later in January 1995.

Springbank 1973 Cadenhead's 18 Year Old Rum Butt

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is the only distillery to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.  

A tropical storm hits Campbeltown with this now highly collectible Springbank, fully matured in a rum butt.

This whisky was distilled in June 1973 and bottled after 18 years of maturation in a ex-Rum butt. 

Wm. Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, founded in 1842 by George Duncan. His brother William Cadenhead joined the company in 1952, taking over after George’s death in 1958. 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.

Strathisla 1967 Gordon and MacPhail Bar Metro 35th Anniversary​

Speyside's oldest operating distillery, Strathisla was founded in 1786 as Milltown, and later renamed Milton in 1890. The distillery was an early advocate of its single malt, which it sold under the brand name, Strathisla, after the river that runs past the site. Strathisla single malt was bottled as early as the late 19th century, and proved very popular. None-the-less, by the 1940s it was struggling, needing rescued by Canadian giants, Seagram, who bought it in 1950, renaming it Strathisla the following year, and tasking it as a key contributor to its Chivas blends. Despite this, the single malt brand remained a core part of the business, and remains so to this day.

Seagram licensed the distillery’s single malt brand to their Chivas Brothers blending operation, but also to Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960 and 1970s. It is the latter’s bottles that are far more prominent. This good standing with the distillery has furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

Chivas Brothers became to sole licensee in the 1980s, launching a 12 year old using this classic branding. Gordon & MacPhail continued to buy and bottle casks, developing a new “house label” which they used until the 1990s when Strathisla was given a modern new look as part of the Seagram Heritage Selection. Rather than confine it to history, Gordon & MacPhail reverted to using this classic label, and continue to do so today. As of 2018, bottles in this style have been branded as part of the Distillery Labels range.

This release was distilled on 5th April 1967 and bottled from single cask #2063 on 16th June 2003. One of 153 bottles produced to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bar Metro.

Founded by Georgio d'Ambrosio, Bar Metro in Milan was a favourite of connoisseurs in its time for its incredible selection. Giorgio was a contemporary of the legendary Edoardo Giaconne of the Edward & Edward 'whiskyteca' in Salo, and both men were among the first in Italy to have special bottlings produced for their bars.

Springbank 1969 Signatory Vintage 34 Year Old

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 Springbank, distilled in 1969 and bottled in 2003.

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

One of 408 bottles.

Talisker 1956 Gordon and MacPhail 31 Year Old Decanter / Intertrade Import

For a long time, Talisker was the sole distillery on Scotland’s iconic Isle of Skye. Renowned for the quality of its output, the distillery has rarely changed hands, joining DCL (now Diageo) back in 1916. Despite this, releases were not the most common. An 8 year old was bottled officially and Gordon & MacPhail produced what are now classic and sought after vintage bottlings under official license from the distillery. When a 10 year old expression became a founding pillar of United Distillers’ Classic Malts range, the popularity of the distillery exploded, and it is now one of the most revered and exported in Scotland. As such, independent bottlings like this are scarce, and particularly sought after when they appear.

This Talisker was distilled in 1956 and bottled at cask strength by Gordon & MacPhail.

Gordon & MacPhail is an Elgin-based family run business, established in 1895 and owned by the Urquhart family. They are perhaps best known for their independent bottlings of single malt, such as the instantly recognisable Connoisseurs Choice brand, and increasingly as distillers in their own right, having acquired Benromach distillery in 1993. The company also has a stake in the blending business though, and has produced a number of well-regarded products over the years.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license by DCL to officially bottle Talisker single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. Although their access to casks of Talisker has dried up in recent years, these older releases are regarded as being of exceptional quality, and are highly sought after.

Teaninich 1973 Samaroli / Curved Distillery Label

A 1973 vintage bottling from Speyside distillery Teaninich and bottled by Samaroli in 1998.

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.

Matured in cask #13667, this is one of 270 bottles.