April 2025 Auction

Laphroaig 1969 Sestante 19 Year Old Cask Strength

Laphroaig is the largest of the three heavyweight Islay distilleries in Kildalton, out-stripping the production capacity of neighbours, Ardbeg and Lagavulin, by over 1 million litres per annum. Despite its traditional appearance, Laphroaig was always a forward-thinking distillery. It was bottled as a single malt as early as the 1920s, an unfashionable option at the time, especially for a peated whisky. They were also shrewd in capitalising on post-Prohibition America to add trademark sweetness to their spirit through the use of imported ex-bourbon casks, and hired Scotland’s first ever female distillery manager, Bessie Williamson, in 1954. Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries in Scotland to still use in-house maltings, providing them with 20% of their annual requirements, and contributing to the distillery’s unique flavour profile.

This Laphroaig was distilled in 1969 and bottled at 19 years old. An amazing vintage from one of their golden eras, these ship label bottlings of Laphroaig are a classic Sestante series. This is one of 5 releases, the first of which was produced in 1985. This, and its cask strength equivalent were the final additions, bottled in 1988.

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.

Talisker 1957 Gordon and MacPhail Cask Strength / 53.5%

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

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

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

Laphroaig 1970 Gordon and MacPhail Cask Strength Celtic Label / Meregalli Import

Laphroaig is the largest of the three heavyweight Islay distilleries in Kildalton, out-stripping the production capacity of neighbours, Ardbeg and Lagavulin, by over 1 million litres per annum. Despite its traditional appearance, Laphroaig was always a forward-thinking distillery. It was bottled as a single malt as early as the 1920s, an unfashionable option at the time, especially for a peated whisky. They were also shrewd in capitalising on post-Prohibition America to add trademark sweetness to their spirit through the use of imported ex-bourbon casks, and hired Scotland’s first ever female distillery manager, Bessie Williamson, in 1954. Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries in Scotland to still use in-house maltings, providing them with 20% of their annual requirements, and contributing to the distillery’s unique flavour profile.

An exceptionally rare bottle, this is a 1970 vintage bottling of Laphroaig from Gordon & MacPhail.

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.

This is a Meregalli bottling from 1985. They are the current Italian distributors for Gordon & MacPhail and have been since the mid-1980s, meaning most of these Celtic Label bottles were Meregalli, including at least six other spectacular 1960s vintage Caol Ila.

Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com declared this particular bottling one of the greatest whiskies ever bottled, awarding it 96 points, and suggesting someone should contact UNESCO about it.

Very Olde St Nick 18 Year Old Bourbon Lot #F107 / KBD

The Very Olde St Nick brand is owned by InterBev, a subsidiary of Allied Lomar in California, who's other products include Rare Perfection and Wattie Boone. Its president, Marci Palatella has been sourcing barrels and bottling them for several decades. She was Julian Van Winkle III's agent in the Japanese market in the 1980 and 1990s, and devised the Very Olde St Nick brand to capitalise on the Japanese demand for well-aged bourbon, which fortuitously was not popular in the US. Her first bottles were produced for her by Van Winkle at his Old Commonwealth bottling facility in the late 1980s.

At this time however, Van Winkle did not have a wealth of aged stock in his warehouses, and Palatella instead turned to Evan Kulsveen's Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), who bottled Olde St Nick throughout the 1990s and early 2000s at the then-silent Willett distillery in Bardstown. KBD sourced most of their barrels from neighbours, Heaven Hill, although Kulsveen had joked in the past that their warehouses contained bourbon from every distillery in Kentucky except his own. Van Winkle was not finished with the Very Olde St Nick story however, and put Palatella in touch with representatives at United Distillers who sold InterBev a number of ageing casks that they no longer had any interest in. Much of this was placed into a steel tanks and warehoused in California to prevent any further maturation. 

When KBD fired up the still at Willett again in 2012, they began sourcing less casks from elsewhere, reserving the best stock for their own Willett Family Reserve label. Essentially cut off, the production of Very Olde St Nick moved to California where some of the tanked Stitzel-Weller casks were bottled by Frank-Lin Distillers.

In 2018, Palatella opened the Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. A small craft-distillery operating a pot still, its produces only a few barrels each day. The bottling of Very Olde St Nick now takes places there, and will eventually contain the distillery's own whiskey.

This 18 year old bourbon was bottled by KBD and exported to Japan.

Longmorn 1969 Turatello 22 Year Old Cask Strength

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.

A cask strength bottling of Longmorn, this was bottled for Fiori by Gordon & MacPhail in 1991.

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

Lagavulin 1991 Casks of Distinction 30 Year Old #5403 / Hong Kong Whisky Fellows

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of United Distillers' Classic Malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century.

This whisky was filled into first fill PX Oloroso seasoned European Butt #5403 on the 4th November 1991 and bottled 30 years later on 6th January 2022.

This Lagavulin is part of Diageo's Casks of Distinction programme. Casks of Distinction is the private sale of individual casks of rare and exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Diageo’s extensive stocks in Scotland. Hand selected by a team of whisky experts under guidance from Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson, each cask is entirely unique and incredibly rare. Each Cask of Distinction is chosen on the basis of their quality, representing the most exceptional and singular expression of the distillery’s character.

One of only 318 bottles. 

The Last Drop 20 Year Old Japanese Blended Malt

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

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

One of 180 bottles.

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

Longmorn 1964 Gordon and MacPhail 46 Year Old Single Cask #1539 'Book of Kells' 

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license to officially bottle Longmorn single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has since furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

This was distilled on 27th March 1964 and aged in single first-fill ex-Sherry hogshead #1539 for 46 years. It was bottled at cask strength on 29th September 2010. The label features artwork adapted from the 8th century Book of Kells.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing licensed bottlings in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. Those from The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd stable however, also including Glen Grant and Glenlivet, were the exception. These distilleries already had established branding that was licensed out to a number of companies in the mid-to-later 20th century in order to bottle their single malt, although Gordon & MacPhail are perhaps the most prolific of these. When Seagram returned the license to the distillery in the 1980s and launched a new single malt brand, Gordon & MacPhail continued to buy and bottle casks using this now-classic label design. As of 2018, bottles in this style have been branded as part of the Distillery Labels range, which replicates the \"house labels\" used by the company for many distilleries like this over the years.

Longmorn 1964 Gordon and MacPhail 46 Year Old Single Cask #1539 'Book of Kells' 

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license to officially bottle Longmorn single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has since furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

This was distilled on 27th March 1964 and aged in single first-fill ex-Sherry hogshead #1539 for 46 years. It was bottled at cask strength on 29th September 2010. The label features artwork adapted from the 8th century Book of Kells.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing licensed bottlings in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. Those from The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd stable however, also including Glen Grant and Glenlivet, were the exception. These distilleries already had established branding that was licensed out to a number of companies in the mid-to-later 20th century in order to bottle their single malt, although Gordon & MacPhail are perhaps the most prolific of these. When Seagram returned the license to the distillery in the 1980s and launched a new single malt brand, Gordon & MacPhail continued to buy and bottle casks using this now-classic label design. As of 2018, bottles in this style have been branded as part of the Distillery Labels range, which replicates the \"house labels\" used by the company for many distilleries like this over the years.

Talisker 1978 Samaroli Sherry Wood / Curved Distillery Label

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

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

Samaroli are perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), founder Silvano Samaroli is regarded by many as a visionary. Since his passing in 2017, the company has been run by his friend Antonio Bleve, who continues his tradition of high quality releases. Many of Silvano’s early bottlings occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of all-time whisky greats.

One of 1,572 bottles.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old White Horse 1970s

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of United Distillers' Classic Malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century.  

This is the 12 year old age-statement that was eventually packaged within DCL's Ascot Malt Cellar collection when it launched in 1982, alongside the Rosebank and Talisker 8 year olds, Linkwood 12 year old, and the Strathconon and Glenleven blended malts, from James Buchanan and Haig, respectively. The Ascot Malt Cellar was a spiritual successor to the Classic Malts range, within which Lagavulin retained its place, as the Islay representative. This 12 year old was discontinued though, replaced by the much-loved 16 year old expression.

Longmorn 1964 Gordon and MacPhail Cask #1034 / LMDW

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license to officially bottle Longmorn single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has since furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing licensed bottlings in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. Those from The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd stable however, also including Glen Grant and Glenlivet, were the exception. These distilleries already had established branding that was licensed out to a number of companies in the mid-to-later 20th century in order to bottle their single malt, although Gordon & MacPhail are perhaps the most prolific of these. When Seagram returned the license to the distillery in the 1980s and launched a new single malt brand, Gordon & MacPhail continued to buy and bottle casks using this now-classic label design. As of 2018, bottles in this style have been branded as part of the Distillery Labels range, which replicates the \"house labels\" used by the company for many distilleries like this over the years.

This whisky was distilled on 28th February 1964 and aged in single first-fill ex-Sherry hogshead #1034. It was bottled in August 2010 for French spirit merchant, La Maison du Whisky.

Very Olde St Nick Winter Rye Lot #R615

The Very Olde St Nick brand is owned by InterBev, a subsidiary of Allied Lomar in California, who's other products include Rare Perfection and Wattie Boone. Its president, Marci Palatella has been sourcing barrels and bottling them for several decades. She was Julian Van Winkle III's agent in the Japanese market in the 1980 and 1990s, and devised the Very Olde St Nick brand to capitalise on the Japanese demand for well-aged bourbon, which fortuitously was not popular in the US. Her first bottles were produced for her by Van Winkle at his Old Commonwealth bottling facility in the late 1980s.

At this time, however, Van Winkle did not have a wealth of aged stock in his warehouses, and Palatella instead turned to Evan Kulsveen's Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), who bottled Olde St Nick throughout the 1990s and early 2000s at the then-silent Willett distillery in Bardstown. KBD sourced most of their barrels from neighbours, Heaven Hill, although Kulsveen had joked in the past that their warehouses contained bourbon from every distillery in Kentucky except his own. Van Winkle was not finished with the Very Olde St Nick story however, and put Palatella in touch with representatives at United Distillers who sold InterBev a number of ageing casks that they no longer had any interest in. Much of this was placed into a steel tanks and warehoused in California to prevent any further maturation. 

When KBD fired up the still at Willett again in 2012, they began sourcing less casks from elsewhere, reserving the best stock for their own Willett Family Reserve label. Essentially cut off, the production of Very Olde St Nick moved to California where some of the tanked Stitzel-Weller casks were bottled by Frank-Lin Distillers.

In 2018, Palatella opened the Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. A small craft-distillery operating a pot still, its produces only a few barrels each day. The bottling of Very Olde St Nick now takes places there, and will eventually contain the distillery's own whiskey.

Lagavulin 1976 Cask Strength 30 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of United Distillers' Classic Malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century.

A highly sought after bottle, this was the oldest official release until the 37 year old from the same vintage came along. Distilled in 1976, this was released within Diageo's Special Releases selection back in 2006.

One of 2,340.

Lagavulin 1985 Cask Strength 21 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of Diageo's classic malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century. 

This is a truly legendary bottling, released in 2007 within Diageo's Special Releases range that year

Distilled in 1985 and bottled as a 21 year old at cask strength, this is incredibly highly acclaimed, a must for any Lagavulin collector or drinker.

One of 6,642 bottles.

Lagavulin 1985 Cask Strength 21 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of Diageo's classic malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century. 

This is a truly legendary bottling, released in 2007 within Diageo's Special Releases range that year

Distilled in 1985 and bottled as a 21 year old at cask strength, this is incredibly highly acclaimed, a must for any Lagavulin collector or drinker.

One of 6,642 bottles.

The Last Drop 1971 Scotch Whisky

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

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

One of 1,352 bottles.

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

Lagavulin 1985 Cask Strength 21 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of Diageo's classic malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century. 

This is a truly legendary bottling, released in 2007 within Diageo's Special Releases range that year

Distilled in 1985 and bottled as a 21 year old at cask strength, this is incredibly highly acclaimed, a must for any Lagavulin collector or drinker.

One of 6,642 bottles.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Signature Blend

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

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

One of 500 bottles.

Very Old Fitzgerald 1955 Bottled in Bond 8 Year Old 100 Proof Half Pint / Stitzel-Weller

Originally registered as \"Jno. E. Fitzgerald,\" the Old Fitzgerald brand was devised by S.C. Hebst in 1870. Hebst was a rectifier by trade (using grain neutral spirit with colouring and flavourings to make \"whiskey\"), but he also had a passion for sourcing high quality barrels of pot still bourbon and rye, which he bottled as Jno. E. Fitzgerald. When the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was passed, rectified whiskey fell out of favour and Hebst went into the distilling business, purchasing a distillery which he named Old Judge after his best-selling flagship brand. Old Judge did not survive Prohibition however, and Hebst sold the Old Fitzgerald brand for just $10,000 to a former customer, a certain Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, who was sourcing label for his new Stitzel-Weller venture. Van Winkle had a near-religious belief in the importance of quality above all else in the bourbon he produced and under his guidance, Old Fitzgerald became and remains to this day, one of the most sought-after and respected labels in American whiskey. Stitzel-Weller was eventually shut down by United Distillers, and as their successor, Diageo, sold the Old Fitzgerald brand was sold to current owners, Heaven Hill.

This is the 8 year old Very Old Fitzgerald, distilled at Stitzel-Weller in 1955 and bottled in 1963. While under his management, 'Pappy' Van Winkle refused to bottle Old Fitzgerald at anything less than the domestic requirement of 100 proof, set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

The Stitzel-Weller company was officially established in 1933 at the repeal of National Prohibition in the US. It was the result of a merger between the A. Ph. Stitzel distillery and its biggest customer, W.L. Weller & Sons. The Stitzel-Weller distillery opened on Kentucky Derby day in 1935, and quickly developed a reputation for its high quality wheated bourbon, and its main brands were Old Weller, Old Fitzgerald and Cabin Still. The original ownership was shared between Alex T. Farnsley, Arthur Philip Stitzel and Julian Van Winkle. The former passed-away in 1941 and 1947, respectively, leaving the Van Winkle family as the sole heirs to the business. 'Pappy' died in 1965, having handed the reigns to his son, Julian II the year prior, who ran it until 1972 when the board of directors forced him to sell it to the Norton-Simon subsidiary, Somerset Imports. When they were bought over by the American arm of Scottish distillers, DCL, its subsequent iteration invested heavily in bourbon. So much so in fact, that their newly rebuilt Bernheim distillery had such capacity that Stitzel-Weller was rendered surplus to requirements. It was shut down in 1992. Still part of the Diageo portfolio, it has never re-opened and instead now houses the visitor experience for their Bulleit brand.

Tobermory 1972 Moon Import 33 Year Old Private Stock

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

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

Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

One of 960 bottles.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Blended Grain

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

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

One of 203 bottles.

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

Le Voyage de Delamain Cognac

Delamain is one of the oldest Cognac houses in France. This particular bottling, 'Le Voyage', is extremely rare and is produced from some the house's very best Champagne Cognac's.

Please note that due to the size this lot has an 3 bottle shipping fee.

The Last Drop 56 Year Old Scotch Whisky

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

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

One of 732 bottles.

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

Longrow 1973 bottled 1980s-90s

First distilled in 1973, Longrow is the peated single malt produced at Springbank distillery. Although very popular, Longrow remains an elusive whisky, with only 100-150 casks of it filled at the distillery each year. Early champions of this spirit included the legendary Italian bottler, Silvano Samaroli, who bought and bottled a number of famous casks from the inaugural vintage, and is credited by many with a good deal of the brand's success. It remains revered by connoisseurs to this day.

An iconic and increasingly sought-after vintage, this one was bottled at some point between 1989 and 1991.

Longmorn 1968 Douglas Laing 35 Year Old / Old and Rare

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

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

This Longmorn was distilled in 1968 and aged for 35 years. One of only 68 bottled from a single cask in 2004 as part of the premium Old & Rare series by Douglas Laing.

Includes certificate of authenticity. 

Longmorn 1972 Gordon and MacPhail Cask #1090 / LMDW

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license to officially bottle Longmorn single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has since furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing licensed bottlings in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. Those from The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd stable however, also including Glen Grant and Glenlivet, were the exception. These distilleries already had established branding that was licensed out to a number of companies in the mid-to-later 20th century in order to bottle their single malt, although Gordon & MacPhail are perhaps the most prolific of these. When Seagram returned the license to the distillery in the 1980s and launched a new single malt brand, Gordon & MacPhail continued to buy and bottle casks using this now-classic label design. As of 2018, bottles in this style have been branded as part of the Distillery Labels range, which replicates the \"house labels\" used by the company for many distilleries like this over the years.

This was ditilled in 1972 and aged in a single 1st fill Sherry butt #1090. Bottled in 2011 exclusively for La Maison du Whisky.

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

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

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

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

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

Teaninich 1973 Samaroli / Curved Distillery Label

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

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

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

Longmorn 1968 Intertrade 20 Year Old / 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 was distilled on 10th December 1968 and aged for 20 years.

Longmorn is a popular Speyside distillery, and an essential component in many blends over the years. As such, much of its production is reserved for this purpose and although distillery bottlings first appeared in the 1980s, it was rarely seen before the 15 year old expression was relaunched in 1993. The distillery has long been prominent on the independent scene however, and has cult following in Japan, perhaps in no small part to its connection with Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru, who modelled the stills at Yoichi on those at Longmorn.

One of 350 bottles.

This particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Lagavulin 1997 Prima and Ultima 25 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of United Distillers' Classic Malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 20th century.

This Lagavulin was distilled in 1997 and matured in three refill American oak hogsheads for 25 years,. It was bottled in December 2022 as part of Diageo's luxury Prima & Ultima range.

One of 625 bottles.

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

The National Choice Hearts Royal Flush & Jokers 7 x 70cl

This set of seven bottles was produced by Taiwanese importers and distributors 99 Bottle Co. under their The National Choice label. Produced alongside a number of playing card themed releases, this collection features the necessary cards to form a royal flush with the suit of hearts, alongside a colour and monochrome joker.

Each whisky was drawn from a single sherry octave, and bottled at cask strength in March 2021 by C.S. James & Sons of Glasgow.

• Tomintoul 2012 Ten of Hearts, 56.2% 70cl
• Tullibardine 2011 Jack of Hearts, 53.7% 70cl
• Benriach 2012 Queen of Hearts, 57.1% 70cl
• Ben Nevis 2012 King of Hearts, 57.8% 70cl
• Glen Elgin 2009 Ace of Hearts, 56.1% 70cl
• Ardmore 2013 Monochrome Joker, 56.8% 70cl
• Caol Ila 2016 Colour Joker, 57.5% 70cl

Each bottle is one of only 75 bottles.

Please note this lot will include a seven-bottle shipping fee.