April 2025 Auction

Glendronach 1962 Teacher's 12 Year Old / Ruffino Import

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grants of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grants and Teachers were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world.

This Glendronach was distilled in 1962 and matured for 12 years. It was bottled by Wm. Teacher & Sons and imported to the Italian market by I.L. Ruffino.

Glenburgie 1988 Gordon and MacPhail 32 Year Old Batch #23/003

First established as Kilnflat distillery in 1829, the plant became known as Glenburgie in 1871 when it was bought by Charles Hay. After closing down in 1925, it was eventually acquired by Hiram Walker, alongside Miltonduff distillery, as the firm sought to build a portfolio to supply its newly acquired Ballantine's blend. Today the distillery and Ballantine's are still closely linked, so much so that there have been very few distillery bottlings, the most recent being a 15 year old under the George Ballantine & Sons banner, released in 2017. Prior to this, the majority of the rare examples of Glenburgie on the market came in the form of independent releases like this.

Gordon & MacPhail are one of the largest and most recognisable whisky companies in the world. Although they began distilling at the newly refurbished Benromach distillery in 1998, for most of their history they were an independent bottler. Their labels are recognised by whisky lovers the world over, and their licensed bottlings from distilleries such as Macallan and Talisker in the 1970s and 1980s, when the companies were not bottling themselves, are a huge part of the success of those distillers today.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market. It was initially created for renowned Italian importer, Edoardo Giaccone in the early 1970s, but became a mainstay of the core Gordon & MacPhail portfolio in 1979.

This was distilled in 1988 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail from a refill American hogshead.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market, and this release follows the 2018 rejuvenation of the brand, which saw it reimagined as a premium single casks range.

Glendronach 1990 Single PX Cask 25 Year Old #1375 / Batch 12

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grant's and Teacher's were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world. 

This Glendronach was distilled in August 1990 and matured in single Pedro Ximenez puncheon #1375 for 25 years. It was bottled in August 2015 as part of Batch #12 of the distillery's famous Single Cask series.

One of 656 bottles.

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Private Cask #25 / Whisky.dk

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

This is an exclusive limited edition single cask bottling of Glenfiddich, selected byMalt Master Brian Kinsman and bottled for Whisky.dk in 2012.

One of only 90 bottles.

Glencraig 1975 Gordon and MacPhail Rare Old

Glencraig is a rare single malt that was produced at Glenburgie distillery while owned by Hiram Walker, the Canadian drinks giant who bought into Scotch whisky in the early 1930s. They conducted a number of experiments with Lomond stills in the mid-20th century in order to produce a greater variety of malts for their blends, most notably Ballantline's. The spirit from Glenburgie's Lomond still was Glencraig. It was never intended to be bottled as a single malt, and there are no official releases, but a number of sought after independent bottlings like this have appeared over the years. Production of it ceased in 1981 when the stills were removed. 

This 1975 vintage was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2009.

Discontinued in the spring of 2018 and replaced with the decadently revamped Private Collection range, Rare Old was the former premium range from Gordon & MacPhail. It was intended to showcase Scotland's legendary closed distilleries, as well as some of their oldest and finest stocks from those still in operation.

Chichibu 2009 Single Cask #633 / TWE

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

A 2016 release from the Chichibu distillery. Distilled in 2009 and matured in a single cask #633 before being bottled for The Whisky Exchange.

Chichibu 2013 Ichiro's Malt / Whisky Talk 2020 Fukuoka

The Ichiro's Malt brand is produced by Japanese firm, Venture Whisky, and is named after their founder, Ichiro Akuto. Venture Whisky was established in 2004 after Ichiro acquired the remaining unblended stocks of single malt from his grandfather's Hanyu distillery. Ichiro's Malt was born the following year, with the release of the original 'Card' series single casks of Hanyu. The company then opened its own distillery in 2008, the increasingly sought-after Chichibu. In addition to bottling these two single malts, the Ichiro's Malt brand has also produced a number of sought after blended whiskies like this over the years.

The now seemingly annual Ichiro's malt release for the Whisky Talk festival. This is the 2020 Fukuoka release, distilled in 2013 and matured in a bourbon barrel.

One of 212 bottles.

Chichibu 2011 Single Bourbon Cask #1296 / LMDW

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2011 and matured in single bourbon barrel #1296. It was bottled exclusively for La Maison du Whisky.

The label features the artwork Mangacamo #1 by Fantasista Utamaro.

One of 216 bottles

Chichibu 2015 Berry Brothers and Rudd Exceptional Casks

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2015 and matured in single Pinot Noir wine cask #4415, sourced from Kusuda wines of Martinborough, New Zealand. It was bottled by Berry Brothers & Rudd in 2025, as part of their Exceptional Casks series.

Berry Brothers & Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

One of 211 bottles.

Caperdonich 30 Year Old Small Batch Release

Caperdonich distillery was built next-door to Glen Grant in 1892, and for much of its history was known simply as Glen Grant 2. Expansion via additional distillery has been a method used by several producers over the years, but Glen Grant was the first. Glen Grant 2 was only open for 4 years after being built, and remained closed until 1965 when demand in Italy for Glen Grant single malt meant the second distillery was once again required to meet the needs of the blenders. Now legally required to have a different name, the site was christened Caperdonich. Glen Grant sold it on to Seagram in 1977, who continued to use it for blending purposes until they were wound up in the early 2000s. Pernod-Ricard acquired many of their assets in the Scotch industry in 2001, including Caperdonich which they shut down the following year. Its single malt was only briefly officially bottled while in operation, with further distillery bottlings only appearing from Pernod-Ricard in recent years.

Part of the Secrets of Speyside collection launched in 2019 by Chivas Brothers, which features 15 whiskies from four of its lesser known distilleries: the closed Caperdonich, as well as Glen Keith, Longmorn and Braeval.

Closed since 2002, this is a rare chance to own this elusive single malt. Aged 30 years and bottled from American oak barrels at cask strength.

Batch 001.

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old pre-2007

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

Launched in 2000, the 30 year old distillery bottling is drawn from a vatting of bourbon and Oloroso sherry matured whiskies. This version of the 30 year old was bottled prior to the redesign of the distillery's stag logo in 2007.

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old pre-2007

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

Launched in 2000, the 30 year old distillery bottling is drawn from a vatting of bourbon and Oloroso sherry matured whiskies. This version of the 30 year old was bottled prior to the redesign of the distillery's stag logo in 2007.

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old pre-2007

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

Launched in 2000, the 30 year old distillery bottling is drawn from a vatting of bourbon and Oloroso sherry matured whiskies. This version of the 30 year old was bottled prior to the redesign of the distillery's stag logo in 2007.

Chichibu 2012 Single Bourbon Cask #1883 / Spirits Shop' Selection

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2012 and matured in single first-fill bourbon barrel #1883. It was bottled in 2016 exclusively for Spirits Shop' Selection.

One of 209 bottles. 

Cragganmore 17 Year Old Manager’s Dram 1992

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo. These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength. The selections were taken very seriously by each distillery, a point of principle, and the result has become a series of rare, sought after and highly regarded single malts.

This 17 year old Cragganmore was matured in sherry casks and bottled on the 25th November 1992.

Cragganmore distillery was built by John Smith at the end of the 19th century. An astute businessman, he selected the location of his distillery to facilitate easy trade with his customers, and produced spirit geared fully towards the needs of the blending companies. It was not long before it was considered one of the finest for such a purpose, and the distillery was eventually acquired by White Horse Distillers. When White Horse were bought by DCL (now Diageo), they selected in as part of their Classic Malts series in 1988, officially launching its single malt brand. Despite this, its importance to Diageo's blends means that distillery bottlings like this are scarce, with only the 12 year old and Distillers Edition making up a permanent range.

Chichibu 2011 Single Burgundy Wine Cask #5080 / LMDW

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2011 and finished in single Burgundy wine cask #5080. It was bottled exclusively for La Maison du Whisky.

The label features the artwork Mangacamo #2 by Fantasista Utamaro.

One of 210 bottles.

Glencadam 1974 Intertrade 13 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

Despite being nearly 200 years old, Glencadam is still a lesser-known single malt. For the majority of the 20th century it was owned by blenders, first Gilmour Thompson, and then Hiram Walker who bought it in 1954. Over the next half century a series of amalgamations brought the distillery into the hands of Allied Distillers. Despite being the home of the Stewarts Cream of the Barley blend, it was shut down in 2000. Allied Distillers experimented with a brief distillery bottling of Glencadam single malt in the 1980s, but it was not until Angus Dundee re-opened it in 2003 that it was pushed as a single malt brand. Prior this, independent releases like this were the only real chance to try this well-regarded spirit.

This was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 1988.

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 particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Caperdonich 30 Year Old Small Batch Release

Caperdonich distillery was built next-door to Glen Grant in 1892, and for much of its history was known simply as Glen Grant 2. Expansion via additional distillery has been a method used by several producers over the years, but Glen Grant was the first. Glen Grant 2 was only open for 4 years after being built, and remained closed until 1965 when demand in Italy for Glen Grant single malt meant the second distillery was once again required to meet the needs of the blenders. Now legally required to have a different name, the site was christened Caperdonich. Glen Grant sold it on to Seagram in 1977, who continued to use it for blending purposes until they were wound up in the early 2000s. Pernod-Ricard acquired many of their assets in the Scotch industry in 2001, including Caperdonich which they shut down the following year. Its single malt was only briefly officially bottled while in operation, with further distillery bottlings only appearing from Pernod-Ricard in recent years.

Part of the Secrets of Speyside collection launched in 2019 by Chivas Brothers, which features 15 whiskies from four of its lesser known distilleries: the closed Caperdonich, as well as Glen Keith, Longmorn and Braeval.

Closed since 2002, this is a rare chance to own this elusive single malt. Aged 30 years and bottled from American oak barrels at cask strength.

Batch 001.

Glendronach 1993 Single Oloroso Cask 20 Year Old #3 / Batch 8

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grants of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grants and Teachers were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world.

This was a 2013 addition to the extensive and ever-popular Glendronach single casks series. It was distilled in 1993 and aged 20 years in an Oloroso sherry butt.

One of 633 drawn from cask #3.

Caperdonich 33 Year Old Glen Marr Ian Gray Artist Edition

Caperdonich distillery was built next-door to Glen Grant in 1892, and for much of its history was known simply as Glen Grant 2. Expansion via additional distillery has been a method used by several producers over the years, but Glen Grant was the first. Glen Grant 2 was only open for 4 years after being built, and remained closed until 1965 when demand in Italy for Glen Grant single malt meant the second distillery was once again required to meet the needs of the blenders. Now legally required to have a different name, the site was christened Caperdonich. Glen Grant sold it on to Seagram in 1977, who continued to use it for blending purposes until they were wound up in the early 2000s. Pernod-Ricard acquired many of their assets in the Scotch industry in 2001, including Caperdonich which they shut down the following year. Its single malt was only briefly officially bottled while in operation, with further distillery bottlings only appearing from Pernod-Ricard in recent years. Production in its later years was high however, and many independent bottlings of this hidden Speyside gem have been produced.

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 270 bottles. 

Chichibu 2011 Single Belgian Stout Cask #4548 / LMDW

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2011 and bottled after finishing in a Belgian Stout cask. 

Selected by La Maison du Whisky. The label features the artwork Mangacamo #3 by Fantasista Utamaro.

One of 250 bottles.

Chichibu 2016 Bourbon Barrel Heavily Peated #6179 / LMDW

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2016 and matured in single first-fill heavily peated bourbon barrel #6179. It was bottled exclusively for French spirit merchants, La Maison du Whisky, as part of their Collection Foundation.

One of 161 bottles.

Glenmorangie 1974 bottled 1996 75cl

Despite being owned by blenders, MacDonald & Muir, for most of the 20th century, Glenmorangie had an early focus on bottling its single malt. Some records show that its single malt was being sold as early as the late 19th century. This became the distillery's main output in 1959, and with the unique flavours derived from Scotland's smallest stills, coupled with their pioneering use of wood finishing, Glenmorangie is now one of the world's biggest selling malts. As a result, the distillery portfolio over the years has been extensive, and little has been spared for independent bottlers. 

Released as part of their limited edition vintage series, this particular edition was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 1996.

Glenfarclas 1981 Family Cask #1081 / Autumn 2013

Glenfarclas is considered by many to be one of the finest distilleries in Speyside. Its direct-fired stills produce a heavy single malt that is almost exclusively matured in Jerez sherry casks. The distillery focuses on single malt over blends, and a cool microclimate around the distillery that means that their casks are particularly stingy to the \"angels,\" resulting in an incredible depth of stock. Glenfarclas also feel they share some credit for the modern day love of cask strength whisky, introducing their acclaimed 105 proof expressions back in 1968.

The impressive cask stock in the Glenfarclas warehouses means there has been a great output of vintage distillery bottlings in addition to their core range age statements. In 2006, the distillery had an unbroken string of vintages dating back to 1952, and launched the Family Casks range that year, an annual release which showcases the very best of these.

This whisky was distilled in 1981 and aged in single cask #1081. It was bottled in July 2013. One of 219 bottles.

Classic Islay Collection 5 x 20cl / including Port Ellen 6th Release

• Port Ellen 1978 6th Release 27 Year Old 54.3% Vol.
• Caol Ila 12 Year Old 43% Vol
• Caol Ila 18 Year Old 43% Vol
• Lagavulin 12 Year Old 2006 Release 57.1% Vol.
• Lagavulin 16 Year Old 43% Vol

5 x 20cl. Italian import.

This lot has a 2 bottle shipping fee.

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old 

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

The 30 year old distillery bottling is drawn from a vatting of bourbon and Oloroso sherry matured whiskies.

Girvan 1964 First Batch Distillation

Girvan distillery was built in 1963 by William Grant & Sons after a disagreement with DCL resulted in the latter severing their grain supply for the Standfast blend. It was built and in production within 9 months, with the first spirit running on Christmas day, just as it had at Glenfiddich. Today the distillery still provides grain for the Grant's blends, but has also been marketed as a single grain. Black Barrel was the first single grain brand that William Grant & Sons marketed it under, taking its name from the charred oak casks used in maturation. It was launched in 1995 and produced until 2013, later being replaced by the Girvan Patent Still brand the following year.

This exclusive vintage release was bottled in 2001, using the distillery name as opposed to the Black Barrel brand. The casks used for this bottling were filled on the 30th April 1964 and matured for 37 years.

One of 1,200 bottles.

Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Collection 3 x 70cl

Glenfiddich was an early advocate of the single malt Scotch category, and their faith is rewarded today by being one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. The distillery was built by William Grant in 1886, distilling its first spirit on Christmas day the following year. Today it is still part of the family-owned, William Grant & Sons. They became the first distillery to actively market their single malt brand in 1963, and were the first to open their facility to visitors. Glenfiddich was an important trailblazer in the whisky industry, who's contribution cannot be forgotten. The scale of their operation today is a testament to this.

• Glenfiddich 19 year old Madeira Cask
• Glenfiddich 19 year old Red Wine Cask
• Glenfiddich 19 year old Bourbon Cask

This lot will include a three bottle shipping fee.

Glenmorangie 1981 Distillery Manager's Choice

Despite being owned by blenders, MacDonald & Muir, for most of the 20th century, Glenmorangie had an early focus on bottling its single malt. Some records show that its single malt was being sold as early as the late 19th century. This became the distillery's main output in 1959, and with the unique flavours derived from Scotland's tallest stills, coupled with their pioneering use of wood finishing, Glenmorangie is now one of the world's biggest selling malts. As a result, the distillery portfolio over the years has been extensive, and little has been spared for independent bottlers.

Distilled on 14th May 1981 and bottled March 1998, this is a cask strength Glenmorangie selected by the distillery manager and bottle by hand onsite at the distillery.

Compass Box The Circus

Despite brands like Ballantine’s, Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal remaining the best-selling Scotch whisky brands in the world, the blended Scotch category played second fiddle to the more fashionable single malt market in the second half of the 20th century. This remains largely true today, however in recent decades the perception of the blend has improved. The company at the forefront of this is Compass Box, founded in 2000 by John Glaser, a former marketing director for the Johnnie Walker brand. Their core range consists of The Spice Tree, The Peat Monster, Story of the Spaniard, Oak Cross and Hedonism blends, and they regularly produce limited editions as well. The company prides itself on its boundary-pushing approach to its creations, and on occasion, boundary-crossing creations, such as the original Spice Tree in 2005 which was banned by the Scotch Whisky Association for its use of suspended staves in casks. Despite investment from Bacardi in 2015, the company continues to push the envelope and rebel against tradition, most notably in its Scotch Whisky Transparency campaign, launched in 2016 following another disagreement with the SWA, this time about their detailed revealing of the recipes of their whiskies.

A 2016 release, The Circus was one of the flagbearers for the company's transparency drive. The bulk of this whisky is from blends that have been married and then matured together in cask.

• 57.2% Blended Whisky that was matured in a refill sherry butt. 
• 26% Blended Grain that was matured in a refill sherry butt. 
• 15.4% Benrinnes matured in a 1st fill sherry butt.
• 1.4% blended whisky matured in a refill sherry butt. 

Bottled in March 2016 and limited to 2,490 bottles.

Chichibu 2011 Single Cask #1402 / Spirits Shop' Selection

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2011 and matured in single American oak hogshead #1402. It was bottled in 2016 exclusively for Spirits Shop' Selection.

One of 270 bottles.

Glendronach 1975 First Cask 23 Year Old #1694

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grant's and Teacher's were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world. 

Distilled in June 1975 and matured in single cask #1694 for 23 years. It was bottled by Direct Wines as part of their First Cask series.

The First Cask range is a no-frills collection of independent releases, simplistically labelled but with a real focus on high quality cask selection. The brand was produced by Direct Wines, a firm established in Windsor in 1973 and the casks are provided by Signatory Vintage. Often sold in mixed cases through Direct Wines' global distribution network, these bottles can be found all over the world yet have retained the allure of being a relatively boutique label, with many examples incredibly sought after.