April 2025 Auction

Hennessy Paradis Imperial Cognac First Edition

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

The Paradis Impérial is a blend of Eaux de Vie from the 19th and 20th centuries and is inspired by the blend produced for Tsar Alexander I in 1818.

This is the first edition, introduced in 2011 and presented in an elegant decanter and display case designed by Stéphanie Balini.

NOTE: Please note that the stoppers on these decanters are incredibly loose. Though some include plastic seals, most are held in place only with a thin wire, and the stopper and cork have signifcant freedom of movement. Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any leakage/damage caused whilst the bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Loss & Breakage Assurance.

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

Glenfiddich 1972 Vintage Reserve 31 Year Old #16037

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 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 Vintage Reserve collection from Glenfiddich is a selection of single cask bottlings introduced in 1999. They were bottled for the best part of the next decade, eventually being replaced by the revamped Rare Collection line during a rebrand of the distillery portfolio in 2008. The series was bottled from only a few select casks per year and they are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

This was distilled in 1972 and matured in single cask #16037.

Glenfiddich 1975 Rare Collection 34 Year Old #22000

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 Glenfiddich was distilled in 1975 and matured in single cask #22000 for 34 years. It was bottled as part of the distillery's Rare Collection.

The Rare Collection from Glenfiddich was first introduced in the early 2000s and included a sought-after annual batch release of 40 year old single malt, as well as the famous 1937 vintage, genuinely one of the world's rarest bottles of whisky. This incarnation sees the label revised for its single cask series, replacing the Vintage Reserve line during the 2008 rebranding of the distillery's portfolio.

One of only 520 bottles.

Glenlivet 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood / Aquarelles 1993

A fantastic vintage bottling of Glenlivet from Silvano Samaroli. This was bottled in 1993 as part of the Aquarelles series, along with a 1977 Ardmore, and a 1979 vintage Springbank. An 'aquarelle' is a type of watercolour painting produced using thin transparent watercolours. All of the paintings featured on these labels were produced by Silvano himself. He also used the image on this example for a 25th anniversary bottling of Glenlivet in the same year.

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.

This was distilled in 1971 and bottled from sherry wood cask #10214 by R.W. Duthie, one of the last of their partnership with Samaroli which ended not long after due to their workload commitments with parent firm, Wm. Cadenhead.

One of 900 bottles.

Glenfarclas 1973 Single Cask 32 Year Old / Highlander Inn

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.

A single cask Glenfarclas, distilled on 21st May 1973 and bottled on 11th August 2005 for the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie.

Bottle number 21 of only 234 yielded from single cask #4796.

Glenallachie 1978 Single Cask #10296 50cl / 50th Anniversary - Signed by Billy Walker

Glenallachie distillery was built by Mackinlays in 1967 to meet the demands of its blends following an upturn in sales in the US. In its short history it has passed through the hands of Invergordon Distillers and Pernod-Ricard. During this period the focus was always on the provision of blends, with over 20 years between the first Mackinlay’s distillery bottlings of its single malt and the next official release from Chivas Brothers in 2005. Now in the hands of Billy Walker, Glenallachie is finally being pushed as an increasingly popular single malt brand since 2017.

This Glenallachie was distilled in December 1978 and matured in single cask #10296. It was bottled in February 2018 as part of a range of single cask bottlings produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the distillery, which began production in February 1968. These were among the first bottlings produced by Billy Walker when he took ownership the distillery.

This is one of only 68 bottles signed by Billy Walker himself.

Highland Park 1960 18 Year Old / Ferraretto Import

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This is one of a number of vintage bottlings produced by the distillery in the 1970s and early 1980s for the Italian importer, Ferraretto.

Highland Distillers bottled several Highland Park releases in this style, as well as some Tamdhu using a very similar aesthetic. This bottle shape would later become the hallmark of their new Bunnahabhain single malt brand.

Glenturret 30 Year Old 2020 Maiden Release

Glenturret claims to be one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, although it was dismantled for over 25 years before James Fairlie built a new facility within the walls of the former site in 1959, using old equipment procured from Perthshire neighbours, Tullibardine. Despite using traditional whisky-making methods, the distillery was also a pioneer, opening Scotland’s second ever visitor centre in 1981. It was then transformed into the home of The Famous Grouse by Edrington in 2002, before changing hands again in 2018 when it was bought by the owner of Lalique crystal. With former Macallan whisky maker, Bob Dalgarno at the helm, the new ownership relaunched the Glenturret single malt brand in 2020 with a predictably luxurious new bottle design.

This is the 2020 maiden release of the 30 year old from the distillery's revised core range. 

One of 750 bottles.

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

Glenfiddich 1974 Private Vintage #2336 / Coronation of Elizabeth II 50th Anniversary

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 Private Vintage collection from Glenfiddich is a selection of single cask bottlings, produced between 2001 and 2008. Each cask was exclusively selected and bottled for a variety of private parties and whisky retailers.

This Private Vintage was distilled in 1974 and matured in single cask #2336. It was bottled in 2003 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, and was available exclusively through The Whisky Exchange and the World of Whiskies outlet at Heathrow Terminal 1.

One of 500 bottles.

Glenfiddich 1972 Private Vintage #16034 / Danish Royal Wedding

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 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 Private Vintage collection from Glenfiddich is a selection of single cask bottlings, produced between 2001 and 2008. Each release was exclusively selected from a shortlist of 4 to 6 to casks and bottled for a variety of private parties and whisky retailers.

Single cask #16034 was matured until 2004 when it was bottled for the royal wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson.

One of 240 bottles, all of which were sold via a Danish supermarket.

Highland Park 1957 Cadenhead's 21 Year Old​

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This Highland Park was distilled in March 1966 and matured in a single cask for 21 years. It was bottled by Wm. Cadenhead in February 1988.

Wm. Cadenhead are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. These were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label (white for the occasional grain whisky), with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

Glengoyne 1969 Single Cask #3691 36 Year Old

Built in 1833, what is now known as Glengoyne is a Highland distillery so close to the Lowland region border that its warehouses across the road actually fall into the latter geographical category. The distillery was owned by the Lang Brothers for 89 years, who used it as provision for their blends. In that time it was also important to those of Robertson & Baxter, who would eventually acquire the site in 1966, and bottled it as a single malt for the first time in the 1970s. It was not until the 1990s that the single malt brand became the distillery’s main focus however. An eventual restructuring by Robertson & Baxter’s parent company, Edrington, saw its operations quieted, and Glengoyne was sold to Ian Macleod Distillers in 2003.

This whisky was distilled in 1969 and aged in single cask #3691. It was bottled at cask strength in 2006. 

Glenallachie 1989 35 Year Old

Glenallachie distillery was built by Mackinlays in 1967 to meet the demands of its blends following an upturn in sales in the US. In its short history it has passed through the hands of Invergordon Distillers and Pernod-Ricard. During this period the focus was always on the provision of blends, with over 20 years between the first Mackinlay’s distillery bottlings of its single malt and the next official release from Chivas Brothers in 2005. Now in the hands of Billy Walker, Glenallachie is finally being pushed as an increasingly popular single malt brand since 2017.

This Glenallachie was distilled in 1989 and matured for 35 years in a combination of six casks; three Pedro Ximénez casks, one Oloroso cask and two vrigin oak casks. It was added to the distillery's range of premium expressions in 2024.

Glenfiddich 1976 Private Vintage #21229 / Queen Mary 2​

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 Private Vintage collection from Glenfiddich is a selection of single cask bottlings, produced between 2001 and 2008. Each cask was exclusively selected for and bottled for a variety of private parties and whisky retailers.

Single cask #21229 was bottled in 2004, exclusively for retail aboard the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

One of 279 bottles.

Hakushu Sherry Cask 2012

Hakushu was the third distillery built by Suntory, established in 1973 to shoulder some of the malt production burden for Yamazaki. The latter’s grain production had moved entirely to the new Chita distillery the year prior as well. Hakushu was built at the foot of the Southern Japan Alps, a location deliberately chosen by Suntory to provide a contrast to the style of spirit produced at Yamazaki. Interestingly, a second distillery was built in 1981 (referred to as Hakushu East) which has stills of varying shapes and sizes which are able to produce a wide range of distillate character. This is in contrast to the now-dormant old site (referred to as Hakushu West) which had 24 large stills identical in shape and size, but only capable of producing one particular style of distillate. The first Hakushu single malt was bottled in 1994.

A very limited release from Hakushu, this was matured exclusively in sherry casks and limited to 3,000 bottles.

Goudoulin 1968 Vieil Armagnac

A 1893 vintage Armagnac from Veuve J. Goudoulin.

Glenmorangie 1991 Oloroso Finish 27 Year Old / Loża Dżentelmenów 10th Anniversary

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.

This Glenmorangie was distilled in 1991 and aged first for around 15 years in American white oak bourbon, then finished for around 12 years in an Oloroso sherry cask. It was bottled in February 2019 and specially selected to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Polish independent whisky bottlers, Loża Dżentelmenów.

One of only 230 bottles.

Glenallachie 1989 35 Year Old

Glenallachie distillery was built by Mackinlays in 1967 to meet the demands of its blends following an upturn in sales in the US. In its short history it has passed through the hands of Invergordon Distillers and Pernod-Ricard. During this period the focus was always on the provision of blends, with over 20 years between the first Mackinlay’s distillery bottlings of its single malt and the next official release from Chivas Brothers in 2005. Now in the hands of Billy Walker, Glenallachie is finally being pushed as an increasingly popular single malt brand since 2017.

This Glenallachie was distilled in 1989 and matured for 35 years in a combination of six casks; three Pedro Ximénez casks, one Oloroso cask and two vrigin oak casks. It was added to the distillery's range of premium expressions in 2024.

Hibiki 17 Year Old Kacho Fugetsu Limited Edition

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is Suntory's most popular blend, the Hibiki. Launched in 1989, it contains malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from the Chita distillery. It was developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii, and is presented in a bottle with 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar.  The 17 year old was joined in the original lineup by a 21 year old and a non-age statement. The latter both still exist in one form or another, but this expression was discontinued in 2018 after unprecedented demand for Japanese whiskies created wholesale stock shortages within even its largest companies.

This limited edition follows the theme of Kacho Fugetsu, the Japanese Kanji for Flowers, Birds, Breeze, and Lunar. This bottle is designed to embody the beauty of Japanese nature.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt Cask #359 / A Decade as Number One

This release marks the tenth anniversary of Number One Drinks Company.

Since its stills were turned off in 2000, Hanyu has become one of Japan's most sought after single malts. An economic recession at the turn of the millennium forced the distillery to shut its doors, and the remaining casks of its unblended whisky stock were purchased by Venture Whisky, a firm established by the Hanyu distillery founder's grandson, Ichiro Akuto, in 2004. In 2005 he bottled his first single casks under the Ichiro's Malt label.

A single cask bottling of Hanyu's final vintage matured in Red Oak Hogshead #359

Glenallachie 1989 35 Year Old

Glenallachie distillery was built by Mackinlays in 1967 to meet the demands of its blends following an upturn in sales in the US. In its short history it has passed through the hands of Invergordon Distillers and Pernod-Ricard. During this period the focus was always on the provision of blends, with over 20 years between the first Mackinlay’s distillery bottlings of its single malt and the next official release from Chivas Brothers in 2005. Now in the hands of Billy Walker, Glenallachie is finally being pushed as an increasingly popular single malt brand since 2017.

This Glenallachie was distilled in 1989 and matured for 35 years in a combination of six casks; three Pedro Ximénez casks, one Oloroso cask and two vrigin oak casks. It was added to the distillery's range of premium expressions in 2024.

Glendronach 1994 Vintage 26 Year Old / Signed by Rachel Barrie

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 1994 and matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry Casks for 26 years. It was made exclusive to the travel retail market.

One of 1,310 bottles.

This particular bottle has been signed by master blender Rachel Barrie.

Glen Grant 1958 Gordon and MacPhail bottled 2007

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006.

Glen Grant licensed its brand to a number of bottlers in the mid to late 20th century, the most prominent of which was Gordon & MacPhail. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases. The preference of the Italian parent firm at the distillery today for its younger output, often means that Gordon & MacPhail are given access to some impressively aged casks.

This Glen Grant was distilled in 1958 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2007.

Highland Park 12 Year Old 1970s / Ferraretto Import

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This 12 year old malt was bottled in the early 1970s. This is the first iteration of the Highland Park single malt brand introduced by Highland Distillers. When this 12 year old age-statement was first bottled in the 1960s, the labels shared the same aesthetic with the company's other distilleries, Tamdhu and Glenrothes.

Glen Garioch 1965 21 Year Old 

Glen Garioch is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. For most of the 20th century it was self-sufficient, malting its own barley using peat from Pitsligo, giving it a unique smoky character. In fact, in 1968 it was short-listed by then-owners DCL, to convert to heavily peated production in order to make up for a shortfall on Islay caused by a drought. In an odd twist of fate, the decision was instead made to re-open Brora for the job, and close Glen Garioch down. Morrison Bowmore then sprang to its rescue, restarting production in 1973. The maltings and distillery were shut down again by Beam Suntory in 1995, and only the latter resumed operations two years later, with contemporary Glen Garioch becoming an un-peated single malt. These pre-1995 vintages are worth investigating while you can.

This is a 1965 vintage distillery bottling from the Morrison Bowmore era, bottled as a 21 year old.

Glenmorangie 1981 Pride Press Sample 35cl / US Import

An incredibly rare bottle never publicly released from Glenmorangie.

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 in 1981 this was matured for 18 years prior to being moved to Sauternes Barriques from Chateau d’Yquem for an additional 10 years.

This press sample was distributed to journalists and bloggers prier to the official release of the 1981 Pride.

Imported by Moët Hennessy USA via New York.

Glen Moray 1974 Distillery Manager's Choice 

Originally built as a brewery, Glen Moray was converted into a whisky distillery during the market boom of the late 19th century. The subsequent slump saw it mothballed, before being bought by MacDonald & Muir in 1923, who later became the Glenmorangie Company in 1996. In the latter days of their ownership it was sadly treated as their budget single malt, but it has always been a high quality whisky, and its reputation it is now beginning to recover under the ownership of La Martiniquaise, who took over in 2008. 

This Glen Moray was distilled in 1974 and finished in a single Oloroso butt. It was bottled in May 2002 and signed by distillery manager, Ed Dodson

One of 676 bottles.

Glengoyne 28 Year Old Oloroso Casks

Built in 1833, what is now known as Glengoyne is a Highland distillery so close to the Lowland region border that its warehouses across the road actually fall into the latter geographical category. The distillery was owned by the Lang Brothers for 89 years, who used it as provision for their blends. In that time it was also important to those of Robertson & Baxter, who would eventually acquire the site in 1966, and bottled it as a single malt for the first time in the 1970s. It was not until the 1990s that the single malt brand became the distillery’s main focus however. An eventual restructuring by Robertson & Baxter’s parent company, Edrington, saw its operations quieted, and Glengoyne was sold to Ian Macleod Distillers in 2003.

Unveiled in 2018, this is a travel retail exclusive from Glengoyne, matured exclusively in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks.

Glen Avon 15 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail 57% / Sestante Import

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

This Glen Avon is a wonderful old bottling of a mystery Speyside by Gordon and MacPhail, specially bottled for Sestante in Italy.

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. Mainardi imported a lot of Glen Avon in the 1980s, bottling several spectacular dark sherry casks in his famous crystal decanters.

This is a cask strength version of the 15 year old Glen Avon. Mainardi has previously stated that Glen Avon was Glenfarclas single malt, but this has never been confirmed (or denied) by Gordon & MacPhail.

Highland Park 1973 Dragon

A legendary Highland Park, distilled in 1973 and bottled by Robertson of Kirkwall.

The 1973 Dragon rarely appears at auction, these Robertson's of Kirkwall bottlings are very highly regarded.

The Dragon from which this whisky takes its name comes from the 12th century carving in Maes Howe neolithic tomb, Orkney.

Bottled at 20 years old from cask #13313, in a 75cl bottle with gold capsule.

Glenlivet 1967 Cellar Collection

Released as part of the Glenlivet Cellar Collection, this is a very well aged Glenlivet.

Well-known as the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, for many years ‘Glenlivet’ was a byword for quality, with many single malts using the Glenlivet suffix in an attempt to reap the benefits of associating themselves with the Banffshire distillery. Indeed, owners Pernod-Ricard now put a heavy focus on the brand being ‘The Glenlivet’, encouraging their consumers not to accept any imitations. Glenlivet is in a long-running battle with Glenfiddich for the title of best-selling single malt, with both now selling over a million cases a year. George Smith secured a license to legally distil at Glenlivet in 1824, and it remained family-run until 1978 when Seagram bought a controlling stake in what had by then become The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd, and counting assets such as Glen Grant, Benriach and Longmorn among its portfolio. When Seagram collapsed in 2001, Pernod-Ricard acquired its sizeable Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky division, with Glenlivet the crown jewel in an empire rivalled only by Diageo.

This whisky was distilled in 1967 and bottled in 2000. Sample #2GC8003

Glen Moray 22 Year Old Moon Import / Half Moon

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.

This 22 year old Glen Moray is from Moon Import's inaugural Half Moon series, bottled in 1982.

Originally built as a brewery, Glen Moray was converted into a whisky distillery during the market boom of the late 19th century. The subsequent slump saw it mothballed, before being bought by MacDonald & Muir in 1923, who later became the Glenmorangie Company in 1996. In the latter days of their ownership it was sadly treated as their budget single malt, but it has always been a high quality whisky, and its reputation it is now beginning to recover under the ownership of La Martiniquaise, who took over in 2008. Thankfully the distillery's excellent single malt has always been treated with the reverence it deserves by independent labels like this.

One of 600 bottles.