April 2025 Auction

Bowmore 1966 Samaroli Bouquet

Islay's Bowmore distillery and renowned Italian bottler, the late Silvano Samaroli, are both legends in the world of the whisky. The 1966 Bouquet is the glittering supernova that is created when these two key elements of whisky history collide, at just the perfect moment in time. Regarded by many as the one of, if not the best whisky ever bottled, it is not often one of these absolute gems is brought to market.

The Bouquet is rated in first place on WhiskyBase.com's Top 1000 whiskies of all time, occasionally trading places only with another Samaroli epic, the Laphroaig 1967, also bottled for him by R.W. Duthie. Emmanuel Dron, whisky author and owner of the famous Auld Alliance bar in Singapore recently opened a bottle of the Bouquet for customers in that very venue, with enthusiasts and connoisseurs flocking from all over Asia to sample a drop of this liquid gold. And if you still need convincing, the seasoned palate of Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com awarded this Bowmore a staggering rating of 97 points. He writes:

\"Wow! Not an easy, sexy old Bowmore at all, almost a ‘bugger’ and you have to sort of tame it, but when you manage to do so, it’s just splendid. One of the very few total winners I’ve been lucky to be allowed to taste.\"

The coming together of this cask of Bowmore and Silvano Samaroli is one of those rare, chance meetings that go on to write the greatest stories. The aptly named Bouquet represents almost the resplendent blossoming of the long-growing Italian love affair with single malt Scotch whisky. Distilled in 1966, a golden era in production at Bowmore distillery, and the time when Armando Giovinetti was hard at work pushing single malt whisky in his native Italy. Samaroli founded his bottling company in Rome just two years later, in 1968. Giovinetti believed lighter, younger whisky, the Glen Grant 5 year old specifically, was best positioned to capture the hearts and taste buds of the Grappa favouring Italian public. The forward-thinking Samaroli had other ideas though. A kindred spirit with his contemporaries at W.M. Cadenhead, he believed wholeheartedly in the bottling of cask strength whisky, and Silvano's first releases were a collaborative effort with Scotland's oldest independent bottler. These were released in 1979, and were closely followed by the acclaimed Flowers series in 1981, a direct precursor to this, the Bouquet. The Flowers series, bottled with ornate illustrative labels (hand-drawn by Samaroli himself), were a sensation and finally provided Samaroli with the platform and audience he knew his whisky deserved, and in 1984, he rewarded their faith in his product with a whisky he felt they deserved, and it is possibly the greatest ever bottled.

One of 720 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Fino Cask 37 Year Old

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

The unique microclimate of the No.1 Vaults warehouse at Bowmore distillery means casks share very little with the angels, and has allowed the distillery to bottle some spectacular age-statements over the years. These early Morrison Bowmore era vintages are considered classic in the whisky world.

This Bowmore was distilled on 5th November 1964 and matured in Fino Sherry casks for 37 years. It was bottled in 2002.

The bottle is displayed in an individual oak presentation case, hand crafted by the Master Cabinet Makers of Charles Kirkby & Sons of Sheffield, England. Each case has an individually numbered brass plaque which corresponds with the bottle number on the back label. 

One of just 300 produced.

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

Bowmore 1964 Fino Cask 37 Year Old 75cl

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

The unique microclimate of the No.1 Vaults warehouse at Bowmore distillery means casks share very little with the angels, and has allowed the distillery to bottle some spectacular age-statements over the years. These early Morrison Bowmore era vintages are considered classic in the whisky world.

This Bowmore was distilled on 5th November 1964 and matured in Fino Sherry casks for 37 years. It was bottled in 2002.

The bottle is displayed in an individual oak presentation case, hand crafted by the Master Cabinet Makers of Charles Kirkby & Sons of Sheffield, England. Each case has an individually numbered brass plaque which corresponds with the bottle number on the back label. 

One of just 300 produced.

Please note there is a common flaw with the printed lettering on the inside of the doors of these boxes. The laquer is prone to melting on to the faux leather furnishing, making the surface incredibly sticky and potentially damaging to the contents of the box.

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

Yamazaki Age Unknown

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Selected from the finest barrels in the Yamazaki aging warehouses, this was produced in celebration of the life of Keizo Saji and his receipt of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. 

Bottled in 1989, the whisky is exclusively 25 years or older, but is otherwise 'Age Unknown', and drawn from the Yamazaki reserve stock. Some sources estimate the stock to be older than 30 years.

One of 300 bottles.

Yamazaki 1984 Suntory Vintage Malt

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

This whisky was distilled in 1984 and bottled in 2004.

Part of the Suntory Vintage Malt series that aimed to bottle a whiskies to be enjoyed by those with sentimental attachments to the years in which they were distilled.

Bowmore 1965 Sherry Casks Full Strength / Soffiantino Import

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

A 1965 vintage, sherry cask matured Bowmore, bottled some time in the late 1980s. This series of sherry cask Bowmore vintages come highly recommended by those lucky enough to try them.

This particular bottle is a full strength version imported by Soffiantino for the Italian market.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 17 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

This Port Ellen was distilled in January 1970 and matured for 17 years. It was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in June 1987. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

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.

One of 243 bottles.

This bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 16 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.

A 16 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in January 1970 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in September 1986. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

One of 258 bottles.

This lot is signed by Nadi Fiori.

Balvenie 25 Year Old Rare Marriages / Ellie Mercer Chess Set

Balvenie was built by William Grant in 1892 and remains part of his family's company to this day. In the early part of its history, its purpose was primarily for the provision of malt for Grant's blends, however following the global success of Glenfiddich, the Balvenie single malt brand was launched in 1973. It remained a rarity though, and it was not until the opening of Kininvie in 1990, and later Ailsa Bay in Girvan, that the distillery was given the freedom to focus on its single malt. Today it is one of the best recognised brands in the world. In 1993 they launched the 12 year old \"DoubleWood,\" an expression credited with pioneering the use of cask-finishing, and this has become a key motif for the distillery's output in recent times.

Released in 2021 as released as part of its Rare Marriages series, this 25 year old is a marriage of European and American oak casks.

This particular bottle is presented alongside on elegant chess set, the result of a 2025 collaboration with contemporary artist Ellie Mercer. Mercer is based in London, and is known for sculptural jewellery pieces utilising wood, metals and resin. This minimalist oak chessboard features ornate cuboid chess pieces crafted from brass and resin. Mercer also created a small set of Balvenie-themed chessboards for Raffles Bar.

These sets were available exclusively from London retailers Fortnum & Mason.

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

Yamazaki Age Unknown

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Selected from the finest barrels in the Yamazaki aging warehouses, this was produced in celebration of the life of Keizo Saji and his receipt of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. 

Bottled in 1989, the whisky is exclusively 25 years or older, but is otherwise 'Age Unknown', and drawn from the Yamazaki reserve stock. Some sources estimate the stock to be older than 30 years.

One of 300 bottles.

Balvenie 1961 Vintage Cask #4194

Balvenie was built by William Grant in 1892 and remains part of his family's company to this day. In the early part of its history, its purpose was primarily for the provision of malt for Grant's blends, however following the global success of Glenfiddich, the Balvenie single malt brand was launched in 1973. It remained a rarity though, and it was not until the opening of Kininvie in 1990, and later Ailsa Bay in Girvan, that the distillery was given the freedom to focus on its single malt. Today it is one of the best recognised brands in the world. In 1993 they launched the 12 year old \"DoubleWood,\" an expression credited with pioneering the use of cask-finishing, and this has become a key motif for the distillery's output in recent times.

The vintage cask range of whiskies from Balvenie are a fantastic insight into single casks released from this popular distillery.

This was distilled on 14th June 1961 and aged in cask #4194, before being bottled on 14th September 1999.

One of just 141 bottles.

Bowmore 1966 Duncan Taylor 40 Year Old

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1995. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year prior (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements. The unique microclimate in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

This Bowmore was distilled in May 1966 and matured in single cask #3317 for 40 years. It was bottled by Duncan Taylor in May 2006 under their Rare Auld.

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 171 bottles.

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve 1994-99

The Old Rip Van Winkle brand was a pre-prohibition bourbon label, revived by the Van Winkle family after they were forced to sell their Stitzel-Weller distillery by its board of directors. New owners, Somerset Imports, granted Julian Van Winkle II (son of the famous 'Pappy') the continued use of an office at the distillery, and first option on purchasing casks to bottle his new brand with. When he died and the business passed to his son, Julian III, this courtesy was no longer extended, and he moved bottling to the old Hoffman distillery in Lawrenceburg in 1983, renaming it Old Commonwealth. He was still able to buy Stitzel-Weller stock though, and introduced the famous Pappy Van Winkle range in homage to his grandfather, using well-aged barrels from the distillery the now-legendary figure once so lovingly ran. When Stitzel-Weller was closed down by United Distillers in 1992, it was only a matter of time before stock would run out. This necessitated a partnership between Julian Van Winkle III and Buffalo Trace distillery in 2002, seeing all bottling move there, initially using the remaining Stitzel-Weller barrels, with these eventually replaced by Buffalo Trace distilled stock. The product from all eras is revered, and the brand is considered to be the first premium bourbon line to have been produced in the US.

The 20 year old has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 three-bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

This is one of the earliest examples of the 20 year old, introduced in 1994 and produced in this light green bottle until 1999 when Van Winkle switched to clear glass. The 1994 bottling of the 20 year old Family Reserve was produced using a high-rye bourbon from Boone distillery, however casks from Stitzel-Weller would have been used later in the 1990s.

Pierre Ferrand 1806 Reserve Marie Domain Cognac

A Cognac form Pierre Ferrand that was distilled in 1806.

One of only 60 bottles.

Port Ellen 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.

A 14 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in May 1974 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in July 1988. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

One of only 570 bottles.

This particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Bowmore Bicentenary Cask Strength / Fecchio & Frassa

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

This is an extremely rare Bowmore released for their Bicentenary in 1979, created for Fecchio & Frassa and the Italian market.

The whisky is rumoured to be from 1969 but this is not stated on the bottle. Bottled at a cask strength of 56.2%. 

There are two other releases bearing this label as well, a pair of 1969 vintage single sherry casks bottled exclusively for Mr. Federico Minnetti.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 16 Year Old Magnum 1.5 Litre / 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.

A 16 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in December 1970 and bottled by Intertrade in August 1987. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

One of only 240 bottles.

This bottle is signed by Nadi Fiori.

Note that this lot will include a two bottle shipping fee.

Port Ellen 1978 37 Year Old 16th Release

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the sixteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1978 and bottled 37 years later in 2016.

Limited to 2,940 bottles.

Port Ellen 1978 Turatello 16 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

A 16 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in April 1978 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in September 1994. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

This is a Nadi Fiori bottling. Fiori was the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Italy, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi. Fiori established an import company in the 1980s, along with beer distributors the Turatello brothers, and the firm was named Intertrade. Their bottles are legendary and some of the most sought after on the market. The Intertrade name disappears around 1989, however Fiori continued to import bottles under the Turatello Imports name, like this one. He would then later go on to found his own company, called High Spirits.

This particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Bowmore 1957 Hart Brothers 31 Year Old Sherry Wood

The Hart Brothers bottling company was founded in 1964 when Iain and Donald Hart incorporated as a wine and spirit merchant and Scotch whisky blenders. They have been bottling independent single malts since the 1980s.

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1995. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year prior (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements. The unique microclimate in their iconic No.1 vaults shares very little with the angels, meaning casks are readily available for independent labels like this, many of which are spectacular.

This incredible release is a pre-Morrison's vintage, distilled back in 1957. The unique microclimate of the No.1 Vaults warehouse at Bowmore distillery means casks share very little with the angels, and has allowed the distillery, and independents like this, to bottle some spectacular age-statements over the years.

Port Ellen 1979 37 Year Old 17th Release​

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the seventeenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1979 and bottled 37 years later in 2017.

One of 2,988 bottles.

Bowmore 39 Year Old White Tiger of the West

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

Spanning across four different bottlings and titled the Four Guardians, this series celebrates the animals of Chinese mythology. The full collection includes:

• The Azure Dragon of the East
• The Vermilion Bird of the South
• The White Tiger of the West
• The Black Turtle (Black Warrior) of the North

This elegant and well-aged single malt was produced in 2022 and resulted in just 888 bottles.

Balvenie 1966 Vintage Cask #6426 75cl / US Import

Balvenie was built by William Grant in 1892 and remains part of his family's company to this day. In the early part of its history, its purpose was primarily for the provision of malt for Grant's blends, however following the global success of Glenfiddich, the Balvenie single malt brand was launched in 1973. It remained a rarity though, and it was not until the opening of Kininvie in 1990, and later Ailsa Bay in Girvan, that the distillery was given the freedom to focus on its single malt. Today it is one of the best recognised brands in the world. In 1993 they launched the 12 year old \"DoubleWood,\" an expression credited with pioneering the use of cask-finishing, and this has become a key motif for the distillery's output in recent times.

The vintage cask range of whiskies from Balvenie are a fantastic insight into single casks released from this popular Speysider.

Distilled in 21st May 1966 and bottled on 15th December 1997 this is a specially selected single cask Balvenie, from cask #6426.

One of 228 bottles. 

Balvenie Rose 16 Year Old / 1st Edition 53.4%

The Balvenie Rose was created to celebrate the long history of Balvenie Castle.  Margaret Douglas 'The Fair Maid of Galloway' married in turn, two of the infamous Black Douglases.  Following the murder of William Douglas at the hands of James II the Black Douglases rebelled against the Stewart King and were defeated loosing their titles and estates.  The king however was taken by Magaret's beauty and reinstated her in Balvenie Castle with an annual rent of a single red rose.

Two batches of the Balvenie Rose were released and sold exclusively at Balvenie distillery, each batch consisted of 4 refill American oak casks which were finished in a single first fill port pipe. This is the first bottling from 2008 and has a cask strength of 53.4%.

Yoichi 1988 Single Cask #100215 / LMDW

A Japanese single malt bottling from Nikka's flagship distillery in Hokkaido. 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, modelling its pot stills on the long-necked design of the Longmorn stills in Speyside.

This whisky was distilled on 14th June 1988 and laid to rest in single cask #100215 before being bottled on 8th July 2013 exclusively for La Maison du Whisky of Paris, France.

Brora 30 Year Old 2002 Inaugural Release

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) 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. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. It was never bottled officially as Brora during its years of operation, and the Rare Malts Selection in 1995 were the first distillery bottlings to bear the name. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19th May 2021.

The Rare Malts Selection releases were there followed by an annual distillery bottling as part of the Diageo Special Releases each year, beginning in 2002, with the last one in 2017.

This 30 year old is the inaugural 2002 release and the first Brora bottled using its own single malt brand.

One of 3,000 bottles.

Port Ellen 1978 35 Year Old 14th Release

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the fourteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1978 and bottled 35 years later in 2014.

Limited to 2,964 bottles.

Brora 30 Year Old 2004 Release

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) 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. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. It was never bottled officially as Brora during its years of operation, and the Rare Malts Selection in 1995 were the first distillery bottlings to bear the name. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19th May 2021.

The Rare Malts Selection releases were there followed by an annual distillery bottling as part of the Diageo Special Releases each year. The first of these was released in 2002, launching an official Brora single malt brand for the first time, and the last one was bottled in 2017.

This was the third annual release, and is one of 3,000.

Port Ellen 1983 The Whiskyman 27 Year Old

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

This Port Ellen was distilled in 1983 and matured in a single cask for 27 years. It was bottled for The Whiskyman in Belgium in 2011.

One of 120 bottles. 

Brora 35 Year Old 2013 Release 

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) 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. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. It was never bottled officially as Brora during its years of operation, and the Rare Malts Selection in 1995 were the first distillery bottlings to bear the name. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19^th May 2021.

The Rare Malts Selection releases were there followed by an annual distillery bottling as part of the Diageo special releases each year. The first of these was released in 2002, launching an official Brora single malt brand for the first time, and the last one was bottled in 2017.

The 2013 release was limited to 2,944 bottles. 

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2013

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Mizunara (Japanese Oak) is famous for imparting its own characteristics onto the whisky stored within them such as sandalwood and other notes. This was released in 2013.

Brora 35 Year Old 2012 Release

Brora distillery (originally known as Clynelish) 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. DCL closed the distillery in 1967 after opening a new, larger Clynelish next-door, but re-opened the first site, now renamed as Brora the following year. Bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. It was never bottled officially as Brora during its years of operation, and the Rare Malts Selection in 1995 were the first distillery bottlings to bear the name. In 2017 it was announced that Diageo planned to re-open this formerly lost gem, and the revived distillery filled its first casks on 19th May 2021.

The Rare Malts Selection releases were there followed by an annual distillery bottling as part of the Diageo Special Releases each year. The first of these was released in 2002, launching an official Brora single malt brand for the first time, and the last one was bottled in 2017.

The 2012 release was matured in bourbon casks filled in 1976 and 1977.

One of 1,566 bottles.