April 2025 Auction

Ardbeg 2000 Single Oloroso Cask 21 Year Old #1565

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 distilled on 23rd May 2000 and aged in single refill Oloroso sherry cask #1565. It was bottled in March 2022 and resulted in 555 bottles.

Ardbeg Serendipity 12 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.

This Ardbeg blend is the serendipitous result of an accident that occurred when a batch of 12 year old Glen Moray got mixed into a larger batch of (allegedly much older) Ardbeg, back in the day when both distilleries were owned by Glenmorangie plc. This blended malt, released in 2005, is roughly 20% Glen Moray and 80% Ardbeg.

One of 16,000 bottles.

Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition

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.

Ardcore is an experimental release that has been produced using heavily roasted barley. This resulted in a taste-profile of heavy peat and dark chocolate. The bottle design displays a Punk Rock style livery and was released in May 2022. 

Aultmore 18 Year Old​

Built in 1896 by Alexander Edward, Aultmore distillery was procured by John Dewar & Sons in 1923. They joined DCL two years later. So key is it to the Dewar's blends, that it has been part of their outfit ever since, and has rarely been bottled as an official single malt. United Distillers included it in the Flora & Fauna range of the 1990s, but it was not until after Bacardi acquired the Dewar's brand and associated distilleries in 1998 that Aultmore's excellent spirit was rewarded with a permanent range.

Ardbeg An Oa with BBQ Smoker

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.

Released in September 2017 at Ardbeg Embassies and whisky specialists, the An Oa was the fourth addition to the distillery's The Ultimate core range. The whisky itself is a marriage of Pedro Ximénez sherry, bourbon, and charred virgin oak casks, which have been combined together in the distillery's bespoke \"Gathering Vat.\"

This lot includes an Ardbeg branded BBQ Smoker.

Aberlour 12 Year Old A'Bunadh Sterling Silver Label Millennium

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.

A'Bunadh is bottled at cask strength in the tradition of 19th century single malts when villagers would come to the distillery to collect their dram straight from the cask, often in apothecary bottles obtained from the village chemist. These were the inspiration for the A'Bunadh bottle shape today.

The whisky is bottled exclusively from Spanish Oloroso sherry butts. Usually a non-age statement expression, this is a special 12 year old A'Bunadh, released as a special edition with a sterling silver label, featuring legitimate silver hallmarks. 

Ardbeg 10 Year Old Miniature / includes Pot Still Plinth

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 \"Guaranteed 10 year old\" was the standard Ardbeg single malt release during the 1970s and 1980s, however the last of these were sold by Allied Distillers in the early 1990s. When Glenmorangie plc first took over at the distillery, the gap in stock due to its numerous closures meant that the first age-statement distillery bottling they could release was a generous 17 year old. This now classic 10 year old expression made its triumphant return in 2000 however.

This miniature is presented with a small model of one of the distillery's pot stills.

Aberlour 12 Year Old A'Bunadh Sterling Silver Label Millennium

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.

A'Bunadh is bottled at cask strength in the tradition of 19th century single malts when villagers would come to the distillery to collect their dram straight from the cask, often in apothecary bottles obtained from the village chemist. These were the inspiration for the A'Bunadh bottle shape today.

The whisky is bottled exclusively from Spanish Oloroso sherry butts. Usually a non-age statement expression, this is a special 12 year old A'Bunadh, released as a special edition with a sterling silver label, featuring legitimate silver hallmarks. 

Arran Devil’s Punch Bowl Chapter III           

Although the Isle of Arran was once a hot-bed of distilling activity, there were no distilleries on the island for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries. Isle of Arran Distillers opened their first distillery in 1995, and it quickly became a firm favourite. They bottled its first single malt in 1998, a limited edition 3 year old in a glass decanter. The distillery also produced a peated single malt called Machrie Moor, however an experimental second distillery on the other side of the island, called Lagg, is now the site of all the company’s peated production. As of 2019, the distillery was renamed Lochranza, however its single malt brand is still known by the old name, Arran.

Released in 2014, The Fiendish FInale is the third and final edition of the Devil's Punch Bowl, this time a vatting of 21 'fiendishly good' casks;

• 8 x Sherry Butts
• 8 x French Oak Barriques
• 5 x Bourbon Barrels

One of 6,660 bottles.

Arran Devil's Punch Bowl Chapter I

Although the Isle of Arran was once a hot-bed of distilling activity, there were no distilleries on the island for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries. Isle of Arran Distillers opened their first distillery in 1995, and it quickly became a firm favourite. They bottled its first single malt in 1998, a limited edition 3 year old in a glass decanter. The distillery also produced a peated single malt called Machrie Moor, however an experimental second distillery on the other side of the island, called Lagg, is now the site of all the company’s peated production. As of 2019, the distillery was renamed Lochranza, however its single malt brand is still known by the old name, Arran.

Released in 2012, this is the first edition of the Devil's Punch Bowl, a vatting of 24 'devilishly good' casks filled between 1997 and 2006;

• 3 x 1996 Sherry Butts
• 2 x 1997 Sherry Butts
• 8 x 1998 Sherry Hogsheads
• 6 x 1996 Bourbon Barrels
• 5 x 2006 Peated Bourbon Barrels

One of 6,600 bottles.

Ardmore Traditional Cask

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

The Traditional Cask was initally matured in bourbon barrels, then finished in \"19th century style\" quarter casks.

Arran 1995 First Distillation

Although the Isle of Arran was once a hot-bed of distilling activity, there were no distilleries on the island for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries. Isle of Arran Distillers opened their first distillery in 1995, and it quickly became a firm favourite. They bottled its first single malt in 1998, a limited edition 3 year old in a glass decanter. The distillery also produced a peated single malt called Machrie Moor, however an experimental second distillery on the other side of the island, called Lagg, is now the site of all the company’s peated production. As of 2018, the distillery was renamed Lochranza, however its single malt brand is still known by the old title, Arran.

This limited release from Arran was from their first distillation in 1995. It was bottled in 2004.

One of 2,784 bottles.

Arran 1996 Vintage Collection

Although the Isle of Arran was once a hot-bed of distilling activity, there were no distilleries on the island for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries. Isle of Arran Distillers opened their first distillery in 1995, and it quickly became a firm favourite. They bottled its first single malt in 1998, a limited edition 3 year old in a glass decanter. The distillery also produced a peated single malt called Machrie Moor, however an experimental second distillery on the other side of the island, called Lagg, is now the site of all the company’s peated production. As of 2019, the distillery was renamed Lochranza, however its single malt brand is still known by the old name, Arran.

This Arran was distilled in 1996 and bottled as part of the distilley's Vintage Collection in 2005.

One of 6,000 bottles.

Arran 10 Year Old pre-2019

Although the Isle of Arran was once a hot-bed of distilling activity, there were no distilleries on the island for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries. Isle of Arran Distillers opened their first distillery in 1995, and it quickly became a firm favourite. They bottled its first single malt in 1998, a limited edition 3 year old in a glass decanter. The distillery also produced a peated single malt called Machrie Moor, however an experimental second distillery on the other side of the island, called Lagg, is now the site of all the company’s peated production. As of 2019, the distillery was renamed Lochranza, however its single malt brand is still known by the old name, Arran.

The first Arran 10 year old was launched in 2006, and it remains part of the distillery core range to this day.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

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.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan is named after the famous whirlpool off the northern tip of Jura. Released in 2009, this expression joined the Ardbeg 10 year old and Uigeadail as a core range product, replacing the Airgh Nam Beist. It was matured in predominantly French oak casks and ex-bourbon American oak casks.

Aberlour 10 Year Old

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.

A 10 year old expression from this classic Speyside distillery. Now discontinued, the distillery shop sold its last cases of these at the end of 2021.

Ardbeg Uigeadail

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 Uigeadail was introduced in 2003, pronounced [oog-a-dal], and takes its name from a nearby Loch from which the distillery sources water. Over 20 years on, this is still a legendary expression and a staple of the distillery's core range.

Ardbeg 1997 Very Young For Discussion

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 is the very first release of Ardbeg Very Young, bottled ‘For Discussion’ with the Ardbeg Committee.  Containing some of the first spirit created under the ownership of Glenmorangie plc, this was distilled during in 1997 bottled 12th November 2003.

Matured using first fill casks, only 4,002 bottles were produced.

Officially launched in January 2000, the Ardbeg Committee is a fan club that loosely tasked with safeguarding the distillery from a return to its darker days of the previous century. Open to anyone to register, the club has access to exclusive releases like this one, which are never available to the general public. Membership also have access to a private room at the distillery and are asked to adhere to semi-tongue in cheek set of Committee rules, one of which warns of grave consequences for those who mix their Ardbeg with anything other than water.

Ardbeg Supernova SN2019 Committee Release

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. 

Supernova is the peatiest Ardbeg expression produced at the famous Islay distillery, and was first bottled in 2009. This 2019 Committee Release was the first bottled in four years, following the SN2015 bottling. That particular edition saw the culmination of an unusual experiment conducted in association with the International Space Station and NanoRacks, a US-based space research firm. The experiment saw vials of Ardbeg new make spirit and several cask fragments sent into the Earth's orbit. 

Officially launched in January 2000, the Ardbeg Committee is a fan club that loosely tasked with safeguarding the distillery from a return to its darker days of the previous century. Open to anyone to register, the club has access to exclusive releases like this one, which are never available to the general public. Membership also have access to a private room at the distillery and are asked to adhere to semi-tongue in cheek set of Committee rules, one of which warns of grave consequences for those who mix their Ardbeg with anything other than water.

Adnams Sloe Gin

This sloe gin was produced by Adnams Copper House Distillery, in England. Adnams Small Batch gin is steeped with the wild sloe berries of the blackthorn tree, creating a spirit rich in fruit flavour and classic gin botanicals.

Antiquary De Luxe Scotch Whisky 1970s

J&W Hardie were established in Edinburgh in 1857 by James Hardie, operating as a wine and spirit merchant as well as a tea blender. Their famous Antiquary blend was created by his sons, John and William, who took the name from the eponymous Walter Scott novel in 1888. The company eventually became part of DCL, who made them licensees to the Benromach distillery for a while during the 20th century. It was purchased in 1994 by the Tomatin group, who contiue to produce its Antiquary brand to this day. The J&W Hardie name was shelved in 2014 however.

This older bottling of this popular blended whisky, with the iconic bottle, was produced during the late 1970s.

Ar Deoch Scotch Whisky

An exclusive blended Scotch Whisky produced by Deagio to the specification of ISC employees and presented to colleagues to celebrate their winning of \"the F18 Market of the Year in Diageo Global Excellence in Supply Chain Awards.\"

Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured

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.

This is the distillery's core-range 12 year old expression, initially matured in traditional oaks casks, then finished in sherry wood.

Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition

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.

Ardcore is an experimental release that has been produced using heavily roasted barley. This resulted in a taste-profile of heavy peat and dark chocolate. The bottle design displays a Punk Rock style livery and was released in May 2022. 

Ardbeg Scorch Limited Edition

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.

Ardbeg Scorch was the 2021 limited edition from the distillery. Released in May 2021, this would have been the tenth edition to celebrate Ardbeg Day at the world famous Fèis Ìle, however as with the previous year,the festivities were cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The whisky has been matured in the most heavily charred ex-Bourbon casks that the distillery has ever used. 

A cask strength committee bottling was also released the month before.

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Committee Release

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.

Titled Heavy Vapours, this committee bottling celebrates Ardbeg Day at Fèis Ìle 2023. The spirt has been produced without using a purifier in the distillation process. The result is a much more robust flavour profile.

Officially launched in January 2000, the Ardbeg Committee is a fan club that loosely tasked with safeguarding the distillery from a return to its darker days of the previous century. Open to anyone to register, the club has access to exclusive releases like this one, which are never available to the general public. Membership also have access to a private room at the distillery and are asked to adhere to semi-tongue in cheek set of Committee rules, one of which warns of grave consequences for those who mix their Ardbeg with anything other than water.

Fèis Ìle, 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.

Ardbeg 10 Year Old Gift Pack with Uigeadail & Corryvreckan Miniatures

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 \"Guaranteed 10 year old\" was the standard Ardbeg single malt release during the 1970s and 1980s, however the last of these were sold by Allied Distillers in the early 1990s. When Glenmorangie plc first took over at the distillery, the gap in stock due to its numerous closures meant that the first age-statement distillery bottling they could release was a generous 17 year old. This now classic 10 year old expression made its triumphant return in 2000 however.

A very well presented bottle of Ardbeg 10 year old (46%) alongside a 5cl miniature of Ardbeg Uigeadail (54.2%) and Ardbeg Corryvreckan (57.1%)

Ardbeg 10 and 17 Year Old Miniature Gift Pack 2 x 5cl

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 Glenmorangie plc revival in 1997 saw Ardbeg receive its first official distillery bottlings. Due to the years of inactivity, a 17 year old was the first age-statement they could release. The classic 10 year old did not appear until 2000.

This small tin includes two miniatures from the distillery's former core-range, before the 17 year old was discontinued;:

• Ardbeg 10 Year Old, 46% 5cl
• Ardbeg 17 Year Old, 40% 5cl

Abhainn Dearg Single Cask 50cl

Abhainn Dearg was founded in 2008 by Marko Tayburn at Red River on the Isle of Lewis, and was the first legal whisky producer in the area for over 150 years. Being Scotland’s remotest distillery, operations there are still particularly old fashioned. The bottles are still hand-filled and sent to the local post office for distribution, and Tayburn even designed and built his own stills, modelling them after an old illicit still he had discovered on the island. The Abhainn Dearg single malt brand was released launched in 2011, and its first 10 year old in 2018, which at the time was the oldest legal whisky ever produced on Lewis.

Abhainn Dearg Spirit of Lewis Single Cask 50cl

Abhainn Dearg was founded in 2008 by Marko Tayburn at Red River on the Isle of Lewis, and was the first legal whisky producer in the area for over 150 years. Being Scotland’s remotest distillery, operations there are still particularly old fashioned there. The bottles are still hand-filled and sent to the local post office for distribution, and Tayburn even designed and built his own stills, modelling them after an old illicit still he had discovered on the island. The Abhainn Dearg single malt brand was released launched in 2011, and its first 10 year old in 2018, which at the time was the oldest legal whisky ever produced on Lewis.

Ardbeg 1991 Douglas Laing 15 Year Old Rum Finish

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 in March 1991 and matured for 15 years, including a finishing period in single rum barrel #3060. It was bottled by Douglas Laing in October 2006, under their Old Malt Cask label.

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.

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

One of 312 bottles.