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.

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

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

Rémy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Baccarat Decanter

A spectacular release from Rémy Martin. This beautiful Baccarat decanter contains liquid which was drawn from a single 100 year-old tiercon (blending) cask. It was made up of small quantities of 1,200 different eaux-de-vie some of which were over 100 years old.

In 1724, a young winegrower named Rémy Martin started to produce cognac under his own name. What started out as a small operation would go on to become one of the most famous names in the history of distilled wines. So successful were his first few decades that he would attract the attention of King Louis XV, who in 1738 personally granted him the incredibly rare permission to plant new vines in recognition of his fine product. After Rémy Martin died in 1773, the family business passed through the hands of several different family members and close associates of the company, before merging with Cointreau in 1990 to form the Remy Cointreau group. Rémy Martin VSOP was launched in 1927 and today remains the best-selling VSOP cognac of all time. At the end of the Second World War a bold decision was made when the then head of the business, André Renaud decides that the house will exclusively produce cognac made from Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne crus only. After almost 300 years of production, today Rémy Martin is one of the most celebrated cognac producers in history and a well-established symbol of luxury.

The Black Pearl Anniversary edition was bottled to celebrate 140 years of the Maison in 2014.

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

Decanter 581 of 786.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rémy Martin Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac

In 1724, a young winegrower named Rémy Martin started to produce cognac under his own name. What started out as a small operation would go on to become one of the most famous names in the history of distilled wines. So successful were his first few decades that he would attract the attention of King Louis XV, who in 1738 personally granted him the incredibly rare permission to plant new vines in recognition of his fine product. After Rémy Martin died in 1773, the family business passed through the hands of several different family members and close associates of the company, before merging with Cointreau in 1990 to form the Remy Cointreau group. Rémy Martin VSOP was launched in 1927 and today remains the best-selling VSOP cognac of all time. At the end of the Second World War a bold decision was made when the then head of the business, André Renaud decides that the house will exclusively produce cognac made from Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne crus only. After almost 300 years of production, today Rémy Martin is one of the most celebrated cognac producers in history and a well-established symbol of luxury.

This is the long-standing ultra-premium expression from the Rémy Martin portfolio, the Louis XIII. Created by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1874, the expression is named after King Louis XIII, ruler of France from 1610-1643, and is comprised of only the company’s finest Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie, some of which has been matured for up to 100 years. The unique decanter is a replica of a bottle discovered at the site of the Battle of Jarnac, fought in 1569, and is now produced by famed crystal house, Baccarat. Now world-renowned, the expression gained international prestige when it was served to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the Chateau de Versailles in July 1938, and again to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to France in April 1957.

This is a modern bottling of the Louis XIII, though the cognac's quality and luxurious presentation remain unchanged.

Please note - this lot will incur a two-bottle shipping fee.

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.

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.

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.

Rosebank 1978 SMWS 25.4

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993. Seemingly closed for good, many were surprised in 2017 when Ian Macleod Distillers announced that they had acquired the distillery and brand with a view to resurrecting it. After a long and at times difficult restoration project, the first casks were filled at on 18^th July 2023.

This Rosebank was distilled in October 1978 and bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in October 1991. This was only the fourth cask of Rosebank that the SMWS had ever bottled.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) was founded in 1983 by a group of friends lead by tax accountant Phillip ‘Pip’ Hills as a private members club. The concept behind the society was to source casks from all over Scotland which would then be bottled and made available exclusively to its members. Perhaps the most famous feature of these bottles are the unique codes. Each distillery is represented by a different number and the following digits indicate that particular release. That same year, the SMWS set up its first location in Leith’s Vault buildings in Edinburgh where it still stands today.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Richard Hennessy Cognac Second Edition

When the Irish Jacobite, Richard Hennessy, founded a distillery in 1765, he could not have possibly foreseen the scale to which his fledgling business would grow. Hennessy found himself in the right place at the right time as trade in alcoholic spirits was booming, extremely popular not only with the French but also with many people within the British Empire. In addition, Hennessy and the other cognac producers at the time also benefitted from rum shortages due to the Seven Years War. Fast forward to the 1970s and Kilian Hennessy, a fifth-generation descendant of Richard became the CEO of the family business. In 1971 she oversaw the merger of the business with French wine giant, Moët & Chandon, which created one of the biggest drinks companies in the world. The business was further strengthened in 1987 by the merger with fashion house, Louis Vuitton to create LVMH, however due to a managerial crisis the following year, Guinness (now Diageo) also came on board by securing a 34% share. Today Hennessy sell around 50 million bottles of cognac per year and account for more than 40% of the world’s supply.

Launched in 1996, Richard Hennessy is the pinnacle of 200 years of cognac producing experience, knowledge and passion of Maison Hennessy, with a special blend of exceptionally delicious and rare eaux-de-vie matured from 40 years to nearly 200 years.

This is the second edition of the Richard Hennessy, which saw the original wooden stopper replaced with a metal stopper. This was revised again with the introduction of the third edition in 2008.

Please note due to the size of this lot, it will carry a two-bottle shipping fee.

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

Richard Hennessy Cognac Third Edition

When the Irish Jacobite, Richard Hennessy, founded a distillery in 1765, he could not have possibly foreseen the scale to which his fledgling business would grow. Hennessy found himself in the right place at the right time as trade in alcoholic spirits was booming, extremely popular not only with the French but also with many people within the British Empire. In addition, Hennessy and the other cognac producers at the time also benefitted from rum shortages due to the Seven Years War. Fast forward to the 1970s and Kilian Hennessy, a fifth-generation descendant of Richard became the CEO of the family business. In 1971 she oversaw the merger of the business with French wine giant, Moët & Chandon, which created one of the biggest drinks companies in the world. The business was further strengthened in 1987 by the merger with fashion house, Louis Vuitton to create LVMH, however due to a managerial crisis the following year, Guinness (now Diageo) also came on board by securing a 34% share. Today Hennessy sell around 50 million bottles of cognac per year and account for more than 40% of the world’s supply.

Launched in 1996, Richard Hennessy is the pinnacle of 200 years of cognac producing experience, knowledge and passion of Maison Hennessy, with a special blend of exceptionally delicious and rare eaux-de-vie matured from 40 years to nearly 200 years.

This is the third edition of the Richard Hennessy, presented with this crystal stopper since 2008.

Please note due to the size of this lot, it will carry a two-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.