April 2025 Auction

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.

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.

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.

The Last Drop 1971 Scotch Whisky

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

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

One of 1,352 bottles.

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

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Signature Blend

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

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

One of 500 bottles.

Tobermory 1972 Moon Import 33 Year Old Private Stock

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

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

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

One of 960 bottles.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Blended Grain

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

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

One of 203 bottles.

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

The Last Drop 56 Year Old Scotch Whisky

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

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

One of 732 bottles.

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

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. 

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.

Tomatin 36 Year Old Small Batch 

Tomatin was once the largest distillery in Scotland, with an expansion in 1976 bringing its still count to a whopping 23 (with a capacity for 10 million litres). An over-stretch at the time, it was forced into liquidation in 1985, never having run at full capacity. The following year it became Scotland's first ever Japanese-owned distillery after it was saved by a consortium of long-term customers. Nowadays it provides the heart to the popular Antiquary blend in addition to continuing to produce a highly regarded single malt.

This Tomatin was matured for 36 years in a combination of first-fill Spanish Oloroso butts and 'traditional oak casks'

Nikka Taketsuru 25 Year Old

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

This range of blended malts is named after the Nikka founder. Taketsuru 25 year old was highly acclaimed, but was discontinued alongside the 17 and 21 year old expressions in 2020 after unprecedented 21st century demand for Japanese whisky left even its largest companies suffering from stock shortages.

Tomatin 1976 Whisky-Doris 34 Year Old

Tomatin was once the largest distillery in Scotland, with an expansion in 1976 bringing its still count to a whopping 23 (with a capacity for 10 million litres). An over-stretch at the time, it was forced into liquidation in 1985, never having run at full capacity. The following year it became Scotland's first ever Japanese-owned distillery after it was saved by a consortium of long-term customers. Nowadays it provides the heart to the popular Antiquary blend in addition to continuing to produce a highly regarded single malt.

This whisky was distilled in December 1976 and bottled in November 2011 by Whisky-Doris.

Tullibardine 1965 Single Cask #949

Tullibardine distillery in Perthshire was built in 1949 and was quickly acquired by blending firm, Brodie Hepburn. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the distillery came under ownership of Whyte & Mackay in 1993, who shut it down following year. In the preceding decades, its large production capacity had filled its even larger warehouses. In addition to selling the stock to third-party blenders, Whyte & Mackay used it for their own products, including some well-regarded official single malt releases. Greater emphasis was placed on this when it was sold to new owners in 2003, who re-casked much of the stock in order to launch this reinvigorated version of the Tullibardine brand.

This single cask release was distilled in 1965 and bottled from a hogshead in May 2005.

One of 199 bottles.

Tobermory 1972 Oloroso Sherry Finish 32 Year Old / Red Label

The Isle of Mull's Tobermory distillery was first opened way back in 1798, known back then 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 re-opened in 1979, it was now known as Tobermory. Its production in former years had generally been peated whisky, but 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 brand, while the traditional peated style fittingly retained the historic Ledaig name.

This Tobermory was distilled in 1972 and finished in Oloroso sherry casks. It was bottled in May 2005, amongst an array of similar bottlings with different-coloured labels.

The 1972 vintages from what was then Ledaig are legendary whiskies. The style at the time was a lightly peated malt, and these are usually bottled under the modern Ledaig branding. The flavour porfile of these was clearly believed to be a better match for the unpeated Tobermory brand however.

One of 1,710 bottles.

Tullibardine 1966 Single Cask #1112

Tullibardine distillery in Perthshire was built in 1949 and was quickly acquired by blending firm, Brodie Hepburn. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the distillery came under ownership of Whyte & Mackay in 1993, who shut it down following year. In the preceding decades, its large production capacity had filled its even larger warehouses. In addition to selling the stock to third-party blenders, Whyte & Mackay used it for their own products, including some well-regarded official single malt releases. Greater emphasis was placed on this when it was sold to new owners in 2003, who re-casked much of the stock in order to launch this reinvigorated version of the Tullibardine brand.

This Tullibardine was distilled in 1966 and matured in single sherry butt #1112. It was bottled in April 2006 to celebrate a tournament in Germany that summer.

One of 436 bottles.

Tullibardine 1964 Single Cask #33659

Tullibardine distillery in Perthshire was built in 1949 and was quickly acquired by blending firm, Brodie Hepburn. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the distillery came under ownership of Whyte & Mackay in 1993, who shut it down following year. In the preceding decades, its large production capacity had filled its even larger warehouses. In addition to selling the stock to third-party blenders, Whyte & Mackay used it for their own products, including some well-regarded official single malt releases. Greater emphasis was placed on this when it was sold to new owners in 2003, who re-casked much of the stock in order to launch this reinvigorated version of the Tullibardine brand.

This Tullibardine was distilled in 1964 and matured in single hogshead #3359. It was bottled in September 2004.

One of 163 bottles.

Talisker 30 Year Old Cask Strength 2009 Release

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 in 1988, the popularity of the distillery exploded, and it is now one of the most revered and exported in Scotland.

Released in 2009, this is a 30 year old Talisker from the annual Diageo Special Releases.

One of 3,000 bottles.

Talisker 1982 Cask Strength 20 Year Old

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 in 1988, the popularity of the distillery exploded, and it is now one of the most revered and exported in Scotland.

This 1982 vintage, cask strength Talisker was matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 20 years old. One of 12,000 bottles filled in 2003 as part of the annual Diageo Special Releases.

Talisker 12 Year Old Distillers Agency 1970s

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 in 1988, the popularity of the distillery exploded, and it is now one of the most revered and exported in Scotland.

This is a 1970s bottling of the 12 year old age-statement. Prior to the formation of United Distillers in 1988, the distilleries within the DCL portfolio were often licensed out to its blending companies, in this instance it was The Distillers Agency. DCL later included an 8 year old Talisker as part of their Ascot Malt Cellar collection in 1982, by then being bottled by another of their blenders, John Walker & Sons. When United Distillers succeeded DCL, one of their first orders of business was to reclaim control of the distribution of their single malts, and bottling responsibility for Talisker was returned to the distillery with the introduction of the Classic Malts, which saw this expression discontinued after decades on production.

Tamnavulin 1966 Moon Import / The Birds I

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.

Moon Import released two The Birds series, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. This Tamnavulin is not officially part of the first series, and was bottled in 1988, however the label means it is often grouped together with them. One of 2400.

Tamnavulin distillery was opened in 1966 by Invergordon Distillers as a response to the increasing demands for their blends, and such provision has always been the distillery's focus. Despite this, Invergordon Distillers were always interested in bottling their single malts, and Tamnavulin was no different. They even boasted the legendary Moon Import are their Italian agents in the later 1980s. When Invergordon were bought over by Whyte & Mackay in 1995, the distillery was mothballed, but eventually re-opened in 2007. It now has a more prominent range for its single malt brand but earlier bottlings, even from independents are becoming something of a rarity.

Talisker 1979 Cadenhead's Bond Reserve 21 Year Old 

Wm. Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, founded in 1842 by George Duncan. His brother William Cadenhead joined the company in 1952, taking over after George’s death in 1958. The company got into the whisky bottling business after 1904, when his nephew Robert Duthie took over, and since its sale to J&A Mitchell in 1972, Wm. Cadenhead has become on of the most sought after names in whisky. Its Authentic Collection is the flagship brand, but the portfolio of the company has expanded in recent years with labels like this.

This is a 1979 vintage Talisker, bottled in September 2000. One of 300 bottles.

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.

Taketsuru 17 Year Old Pure Malt Non-Chill Filtered 2012

Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown. Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, followed by the Nishinomaya and Miyagikyo distilleries in 1959 and 1969, respectively. Since 1989 the company has also has also had a stake in the Scotch whisky industry after they purchased the struggling Ben Nevis distillery. Today they are one of the second largest whisky producer in Japan.

This range of blended malts is named after the Nikka founder. Taketsuru 17 year old was highly acclaimed before it was announced in early 2020 that age-statements in the series were to be discontinued. This followed a similar move with the company's single malts in 2015, all brought about by stock shortages due to an unprecedented demand for Japanese whisky in the 21st century.

This is the 2012 Non-Chill Filtered release, limited to just 100 bottles.

Tomatin 1967 Vintage Malt Whisky Company 33 year Old / VA.MA

Tomatin was once the largest distillery in Scotland, with an expansion in 1976 bringing its still count to a whopping 23 (with a capacity for 10 million litres). An over-stretch at the time, it was forced into liquidation in 1985, never having run at full capacity. The following year it became Scotland's first ever Japanese-owned distillery after it was saved by a consortium of long-term customers. Nowadays it provides the heart to the popular Antiquary blend in addition to continuing to produce a highly regarded single malt.

This Tomatin was distilled in 1967 and matured for 33 years in sherry wood. It was bottled by The Vintage Malt Whisky Company in 2000 as a limited edition \"specially for our friends\" bottling, and imported to Italy by VA.MA

The Vintage Malt Whisky Company is a family-owned firm in Glasgow, founded in 1992 by Brian Crook. In addition to their Cooper's Choice series, they also bottle number of their own single malt brands, such as Finlaggan (an Islay) and Tantallan (a Highland), using whisky sourced from unspecified distilleries.

One of only 252 bottles.

Talisker 1989 SMWS 15 Year Old 14.15

A very rare independant bottling of Talisker, distilled in March 1989 and bottled in September 2004.

Teaninich 1972 Rare Malt 27 Year Old / 64.20%

The Rare Malts Selection was a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005. As with the Flora & Fauna series, they were often from lesser-seen single malt distilleries.

This Teaninich was distilled in 1972 and matured for 27 years. It was bottled in October 2000.

Teaninich was built in the early 19th century and was eventually bought by blenders, Munro & Cameron, in 1895. Their trustees later sold the distillery to DCL in 1933, and it remains part of the Diageo operation to this day. The distillery's primary focus is on provision for the firms many blends, and the 10 year old Flora & Fauna has been the only permanent distillery bottling, with just a handful of rare official releases appearing alongside it over the years. 

Tamnavulin 15 Year Old Moon Import / The Birds II

Tamnavulin distillery was opened in 1966 by Invergordon Distillers as a response to the increasing demands for their blends, and such provision has always been the distillery's focus. Despite this, Invergordon Distillers were always interested in bottling their single malts, and Tamnavulin was no different. They even boasted the legendary Moon Import are their Italian agents in the later 1980s. When Invergordon were bought over by Whyte & Mackay in 1995, the distillery was mothballed, but eventually re-opened in 2007. It now has a more prominent range for its single malt brand but earlier bottlings, even from independents are becoming something of a rarity.

Moon Import released two The Birds series, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. This Tamnavulin is not officially part of the second series, but it was bottled circa 1990 and the label style means it is often grouped together with them. In fact, it is not even technicaly an independent release. As Moon Import were the official importers for Tamnavulin at the time, this was specially bottled for them by the distillery itself.

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 3600 bottles.

The Malt Heritage Collection 3 x 70cl / includes Laphroaig

The Malt Heritage Collection was the Allied DIstillers response to the Classic Malts from United Distillers. Also known as the Caledonian Malts, it was introduced in 1991 and included Glendronach, Miltonduff, Laphroaig and Tormore (the latter eventually replaced by Scapa).

This set includes:

• Laphroaig 10 Year Old / 40% 70cl
• Glendronach 15 Year Old Sherry Matured / 40% 70cl
• Scapa 12 Year Old / 40% 70cl

Please note shipping will be charged for 3 bottles.

Teaninich 1973 Whisky Agency 40 Year Old

Teaninich was built in the early 19th century and was eventually bought by blenders, Munro & Cameron, in 1895. Their trustees later sold the distillery to DCL in 1933, and it remains part of the Diageo operation to this day. The distillery's primary focus is on provision for the firms many blends, and the 10 year old Flora & Fauna has been the only permanent distillery bottling, with just a handful of rare official releases appearing alongside it over the years. As such, the majority of Teaninich single malt has appeared under independent labels such as this.

This Teaninich was distilled in 1973 and matured for 40 years in a sherry hogshead. It was bottled by The Whisky Agency in 2013.

The Whisky Agency was founded in Germany by Carsten Ehrlich, who is also the driving force behind The Whisky Fair in Limburg, one of the world's most renowned annual whisky gatherings. Their passion is unquestionable, and they have a regular release schedule of high quality single casks, often in collaboration with some of the most respected whisky bars and retailers. The Whisky Agency's labels include The Perfect Dram, Liquid Library, Private Stock, and Liquid Sun.

One of only 213 bottles.

Tamnavulin 15 Year Old Moon Import / The Birds II

Tamnavulin distillery was opened in 1966 by Invergordon Distillers as a response to the increasing demands for their blends, and such provision has always been the distillery's focus. Despite this, Invergordon Distillers were always interested in bottling their single malts, and Tamnavulin was no different. They even boasted the legendary Moon Import are their Italian agents in the later 1980s. When Invergordon were bought over by Whyte & Mackay in 1995, the distillery was mothballed, but eventually re-opened in 2007. It now has a more prominent range for its single malt brand but earlier bottlings, even from independents are becoming something of a rarity.

Moon Import released two The Birds series, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. This Tamnavulin is not officially part of the second series, but it was bottled circa 1990 and the label style means it is often grouped together with them. In fact, it is not even technicaly an independent release. As Moon Import were the official importers for Tamnavulin at the time, this was specially bottled for them by the distillery itself.

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 3600 bottles.

Timorous Beastie 40 Year Old Cask Strength

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.

Timorous Beastie was the third addition to what became the Douglas Laing family of Remarkable Regional Malts, introduced in 2013 and produced using only Highland malt whiskies. The other family members include Big Peat, Scallywag, Rock Oyster and Epicurean blends produced using malts from Islay, Speyside, the Islands and the Lowlands, respectively.

This limited edition cask strength 40 year old is one of 1,080 bottles.