April 2025 Auction

Ardbeg Perpetuum Bicentenary Release

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997.

Released in 2015 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the legendary Islay distillery, this is the standard release of Perpetuum, which was launched during Feis Ile 2015. A higher proof offering was also available to Ardbeg Committee members and at the distillery.

Perpetuum is a blend of old and young whisky, matured in both bourbon and sherry casks.

Ledaig 18 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish Batch #3

When 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.

An 18 year old Ledaig, the peated expression produced at Tobermory.

This has been finished in an ex-sherry cask.

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old Batch #3

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997.

Fans of the famous Islay distillery had to wait nearly twenty years for a new permanent age-stated bottle to be added to the Ardbeg core-range of products. First released in September 2019, Traigh Bhan is a small batch annual release named after Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach.

This third batch release has been matured in a combination of American oak and Oloroso sherry casks. The youngest single malt in the was vatting distilled in October 2001.

Batch No: TB/03-10.10.01/21.BL

Longrow Red 7 Year Old Pinot Noir

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

This is the 2024 Longrow Red release, matured for 4 years in bourbon casks before a 3 year finishing period in Burgundy Pinot Noir barrels.

One of 10,000 bottles.

Longrow Red 7 Year Old Pinot Noir

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

This is the 2024 Longrow Red release, matured for 4 years in bourbon casks before a 3 year finishing period in Burgundy Pinot Noir barrels.

One of 10,000 bottles.

Longrow Single Malt

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

Longrow is made at Springbank distillery using malted barley that has been peated to a higher PPM (peatiness) than regular Springbank - hence the different name.

Longrow Single Malt

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

Longrow is made at Springbank distillery using malted barley that has been peated to a higher PPM (peatiness) than regular Springbank - hence the different name.

Longrow Single Malt

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

Longrow is made at Springbank distillery using malted barley that has been peated to a higher PPM (peatiness) than regular Springbank - hence the different name.

Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba Batch #2 75cl / US Import

Aberlour is a picturesque Speyside distillery, built in 1879 by James Fleming after the original distillery of the same name was lost in a fire. It became the first distillery in the S. Campbell & Son portfolio when they acquired it in 1945, and produced fillings for their popular Clan Campell and White Heather blends. Production capacity was increased to meet rising demand for its spirit in 1973, and the following year the company was bought over by Pernod-Ricard who operated it under the Campbell Distillers before merging it with Chivas Brothers, which they acquired from Seagram in 2001. The reverence for the sherry-casked A'Bunadh, launched in 1997, has greatly boosted the popularity of the distillery, and its output from all eras is increasingly sought after.

The A'Bunadh is bottled at cask strength in the tradition of 19th century single malts when villagers would come to the distillery to collect their dram straight from the cask, often in apothecary bottles obtained from the village chemist. These were the inspiration for the A'Bunadh bottle shape today.

Launched in 2019, the A'Bunadh Alba is matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels.

Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba Batch #2 75cl / US Import

Aberlour is a picturesque Speyside distillery, built in 1879 by James Fleming after the original distillery of the same name was lost in a fire. It became the first distillery in the S. Campbell & Son portfolio when they acquired it in 1945, and produced fillings for their popular Clan Campell and White Heather blends. Production capacity was increased to meet rising demand for its spirit in 1973, and the following year the company was bought over by Pernod-Ricard who operated it under the Campbell Distillers before merging it with Chivas Brothers, which they acquired from Seagram in 2001. The reverence for the sherry-casked A'Bunadh, launched in 1997, has greatly boosted the popularity of the distillery, and its output from all eras is increasingly sought after.

The A'Bunadh is bottled at cask strength in the tradition of 19th century single malts when villagers would come to the distillery to collect their dram straight from the cask, often in apothecary bottles obtained from the village chemist. These were the inspiration for the A'Bunadh bottle shape today.

Launched in 2019, the A'Bunadh Alba is matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels.

Auchentoshan 1973 Sherry Cask 32 Year Old

Famed for its exclusive use of triple distillation, Auchentoshan is based on the outskirts of Glasgow and was owned for the duration of the 1960s by Tennents brewery. They sold it to Eadie Cairns at the end of the decade, who upgraded the site and began officially bottling it as a single malt. The distillery passed through the hands of Morrison Bowmore before becoming part of the Beam Suntory table today. Unusually, none of the Auchentoshan output is reserved for blends, meaning there has been a wealth of distillery bottled single casks and independent releases throughout the years.

This Auchentoshan was distilled in March 1973 and matured in a pair of sherry casks for 32 years. It was bottled in July 2005.

One of 480 bottles.

Lochside 1981 SMWS 20 Year Old 92.8

Lochside was founded in 1957, however single malt vintages only date from the early to mid-1960s and from the early 1980s as its Spanish owners in the intervening period, Destilerias y Crianzas (DYC), used its malt exclusively for export blends. Prior to this it was in the hands of Joseph Hobbs who had operated both pot and a coffey still, blending both malt and grain at birth for the distillery's Sandy MacNab brand. Some of these \"blended at birth\" casks have subsequently been bottled by independent labels. The practice stopped with Hobbs' death in 1964, and the distillery exclusively produced malt until it eventually closed in 1992.

This Lochside was distilled in May 1981 and matured in a single cask for 20 years. It was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in June 2001.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) was founded in 1983 by a group of friends lead by tax accountant Phillip ‘Pip’ Hills as a private members club. The concept behind the society was to source casks from all over Scotland which would then be bottled and made available exclusively to its members. Perhaps the most famous feature of these bottles are the unique codes. Each distillery is represented by a different number and the following digits indicate that particular release. That same year, the SMWS set up its first location in Leith’s Vault buildings in Edinburgh where it still stands today.

Lagavulin 1978 Cadenhead's 15 Year Old

Lagavulin distillery is one of the quintessential Islay producers, built in the early 19th century before eventually finding itself in the hands of White Horse blenders and their infamous proprietor, Sir Peter Mackie. It has truly captured the imagination of the whisky world in modern times, with the 16 year old becoming an instant (if unexpected) favourite when introduced as one of United Distillers’ Classic Malts in 1988. The company had not expected the smoky flavours to be as popular as lighter offerings such as Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. Lagavulin was also home to the legendary (and near mythical) Malt Mill distillery in the first half of the 19th century. Lower production in the 1980s and 90s, coupled with huge global demand for the current product means that independent bottlings from all eras are particularly rare. 

This Lagavulin was distilled in December 1978 and matured in oak for 15 years. It was bottled at cask strength by Wm. Cadenhead in December 1993 as part of their Authentic Collection series.

The Authentic Collection was launched by Wm. Cadenhead in 1991, and included whiskies from several rare closed Scottish and Irish distilleries, bottled for the company's 150th anniversary. It would later go on to become a mainstay of their portfolio, as the cask strength alternative to the Original Collection, which replaced their famous \"dumpy\" bottlings in the early 1990s. The Authentic Collection is now the flagship Cadenhead brand, and one of the most recognisable independent labels on the market.

Arran 2012 Small Batch Bourbon Barrels Lightly Peated / RMW

A small batch Arran matured in lightly peated bourbon barrels.

Although the Isle of Arran was once a hot-bed of distilling activity, there were no distilleries on the island for the majority of the 19th and 20th centuries. Isle of Arran Distillers opened their first distillery in 1995, and it quickly became a firm favourite. They bottled its first single malt in 1998, a limited edition 3 year old in a glass decanter. The distillery also produced a peated single malt called Machrie Moor, however an experimental second distillery on the other side of the island, called Lagg, is now the site of all the company’s peated production. As of 2019, the distillery was renamed Lochranza, however its single malt brand is still known by the old name, Arran.

Produced exclusively for Royal Mile Whiskies and Drinkmonger.

Linkwood 1974 Rare Malts 23 Year Old 75cl / 61.2%

Official bottlings of Linkwood are scarce. Its malt has always been considered a key component of many popular blends, such as Johnnie Walker and White Horse, with much of its output reserved for these as a result. In 1982 it was selected for the Ascot Malt Cellar range by DCL, an early precursor to the Classic Malts range later launched by United Distillers. It had been on the short-list for the subsequent range at the time, but the company eventually opted for Cragganmore as the Speyside representative instead, later opting to revive the 12 year old under the Flora & Fauna brand. It remains the only permanent distillery release.

Distilled in 1974, this Linkwood was bottled in September 1997 as a limited edition release for the Rare Malts Selection.

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.

Auchroisk 2011 Global Whisky 13 Year Old OLO

Auchroisk distillery was built by Justerini & Brooks in 1972 to provide malt for their blends. Despite this, there was an immediate focus on its single malt as well, and it was first bottled in 1986. These were vintage-dated releases, and some of the earliest to use cask finishing. This was never advertised though, and the distillery left Balvenie to take the credit for the innovation. Its single malt has also appeared many times from independent labels like this.

This Auchroisk was distilled in April 2011 and matured for 13 years, including a finshing period in single Oloroso sherry cask #806991. It was bottled by Global Whisky as part of their Oloroso-themed OLO series.

One of 286 bottles.

Auchroisk 2011 Global Whisky 13 Year Old OLO

Auchroisk distillery was built by Justerini & Brooks in 1972 to provide malt for their blends. Despite this, there was an immediate focus on its single malt as well, and it was first bottled in 1986. These were vintage-dated releases, and some of the earliest to use cask finishing. This was never advertised though, and the distillery left Balvenie to take the credit for the innovation. Its single malt has also appeared many times from independent labels like this.

This Auchroisk was distilled in April 2011 and matured for 13 years, including a finshing period in single Oloroso sherry cask #806991. It was bottled by Global Whisky as part of their Oloroso-themed OLO series.

One of 286 bottles.

Auchroisk 2011 Global Whisky 13 Year Old OLO

Auchroisk distillery was built by Justerini & Brooks in 1972 to provide malt for their blends. Despite this, there was an immediate focus on its single malt as well, and it was first bottled in 1986. These were vintage-dated releases, and some of the earliest to use cask finishing. This was never advertised though, and the distillery left Balvenie to take the credit for the innovation. Its single malt has also appeared many times from independent labels like this.

This Auchroisk was distilled in April 2011 and matured for 13 years, including a finshing period in single Oloroso sherry cask #806991. It was bottled by Global Whisky as part of their Oloroso-themed OLO series.

One of 286 bottles.

Auchroisk 2011 Global Whisky 13 Year Old OLO

Auchroisk distillery was built by Justerini & Brooks in 1972 to provide malt for their blends. Despite this, there was an immediate focus on its single malt as well, and it was first bottled in 1986. These were vintage-dated releases, and some of the earliest to use cask finishing. This was never advertised though, and the distillery left Balvenie to take the credit for the innovation. Its single malt has also appeared many times from independent labels like this.

This Auchroisk was distilled in April 2011 and matured for 13 years, including a finshing period in single Oloroso sherry cask #806991. It was bottled by Global Whisky as part of their Oloroso-themed OLO series.

One of 286 bottles.

Ardnamurchan 2015 Peated Single Oloroso Cask #529 / UK

Ardnamurchan is the Highland distillery belonging to revered independent bottlers-turned-distillers, Adelphi. The Adelphi name has a rich history, operating as a distillery in the Gorbals district of Glasgow from 1825, producing spirit from the waters of Loch Katrine. The distillery ceased production in the early 20th century however and several changes in ownership culminating in a takeover by DCL in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. Ardnamurchan is situated on the most westerly point of the British mainland, and opened in 2014, producing both peated and unpeated single malts.

This peated Ardnamurchan was distilled in August 2015 and matured in single first-fill American oak Oloroso butt #529. It was bottled exclusively for the United Kingdom. 

One of 662 bottles.

Ardnamurchan Paul Launois Release AD/04.21 

Ardnamurchan is the Highland distillery belonging to revered independent bottlers-turned-distillers, Adelphi. The Adelphi name has a rich history, operating as a distillery in the Gorbals district of Glasgow from 1825, producing spirit from the waters of Loch Katrine. The distillery ceased production in the early 20th century however and several changes in ownership culminating in a takeover by DCL in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. Ardnamurchan is situated on the most westerly point of the British mainland, and opened in 2014, producing both peated and unpeated single malts.

This unpeated spirit has been aged in ex-Bourbon casks before being finished in nine wine barriques from Paul Launois. One of 2,576 bottles. 

Ardnamurchan AD/ Paul Launois Release 2023

Ardnamurchan is the Highland distillery belonging to revered independent bottlers-turned-distillers, Adelphi. The Adelphi name has a rich history, operating as a distillery in the Gorbals district of Glasgow from 1825, producing spirit from the waters of Loch Katrine. The distillery ceased production in the early 20th century however and several changes in ownership culminating in a takeover by DCL in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. Ardnamurchan is situated on the most westerly point of the British mainland, and opened in 2014, producing both peated and unpeated single malts.

This 2023 release is an unpeated whisky which has been finished in 195 litre wine barriques from Domaine Paul Launois.

One of 2676 bottles. 

Ardmore 2002 Global Whisky 21 Year Old OLO

Ardmore was built by Wm. Teacher at the end of the 19th century, and as a rare peated Highland single malt, provided the smoky qualities in their well-loved blends. Now in the hands of Beam Suntory, there have been very few official bottlings, but the independent releases that have appeared over the years are much sought after.

This Ardmore was distilled in February 2002 and matured for 21 years, including a finshing period in single Oloroso sherry cask #288. It was bottled by Global Whisky as part of their Oloroso-themed OLO series.

One of 206 bottles.

Ardmore 2002 Global Whisky 21 Year Old OLO

Ardmore was built by Wm. Teacher at the end of the 19th century, and as a rare peated Highland single malt, provided the smoky qualities in their well-loved blends. Now in the hands of Beam Suntory, there have been very few official bottlings, but the independent releases that have appeared over the years are much sought after.

This Ardmore was distilled in February 2002 and matured for 21 years, including a finshing period in single Oloroso sherry cask #288. It was bottled by Global Whisky as part of their Oloroso-themed OLO series.

One of 206 bottles.

Ardbeg Dark Cove

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997.

This was matured in ex-Bourbon casks with a heart matured in dark sherry casks.  The style has been inspired by the history of illicit distilling on the Island of Islay. Many islanders were involved in this activity, including Allan and Alexander the uncles of John McDougall founder of Ardbeg distillery. 

This was the public release, launched for Ardbeg Day/Night at the 2016 Feis Ile. A cask strength advance release was also bottled for the Ardbeg Committee.

Le Génépi des Pères Chartreux 3 litre

Génépi is a liqueur is made from several aromatic alpine plants, and is often referred to as Mugwort.

This bottling is made to a secret recipe under the supervision of the Chartreuse monks in Aiguenoire. 

Please note: due to size and weight this lot will incur a 4 bottle shipping fee

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch #001

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

The 10 year old is one of the all time classics of the whisky world, famed the world over for its uniquely Laphroaig flavour. The cask strength equivalents were first bottled in 1995, and have been incredibly sought after ever since.

This is the first of the batch-numbered versions of the popular series, bottled in February 2009.

Laphroaig 18 Year Old pre-2013

Launched in 2009, this was originally the replacement for the much loved 15 year old. Sadly this has since been discontinued too, ceasing production in 2016.

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

Longrow 21 Year Old 2023 Release

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

The 2023 release of the 21 year old has been matured in a combination of 35% bourbon casks and 65% sherry casks.

Laphroaig 28 Year Old

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

This limited edition 28 year old was introduced in late 2018. The stock used to produce this whisky was rumoured to be from the oldest remaining stock at the distillery. It included whiskies matured in quarter casks, bourbons casks and Oloroso sherry butts.

Akkeshi Sarorunkamuy Lightly Peated 2020 20cl

The Akkeshi distillery was founded in 2016 by Tokyo based trading company, Kenten Jitsugyo. The small facility located on the north island of Hokkaodo in an aera which is famed for its high-quality milk and cheese products. The small facility covers just 2,960 square feet for the entirety of its whisky production. The coastal environment where the distillery stands is like that of Islay in Scotland, and like Islay, Akkeshi’s is noted for its use of peat. The distillery is equipped with two stills, six washbacks and maturation takes place in a wide variety of different cask styles.

Sarorunkamuy is the lightly peated single malt from the Akkeshi distillery. This release was bottled in 2020 and imported by La Maison du Whisky.

Antiquary 21 Year Old Millennium Blend

J&W Hardie were established in Edinburgh in 1857 by James Hardie, operating as a wine and spirit merchant as well as a tea blender. Their famous Antiquary blend was created by his sons, John and William, who took the name from the eponymous Walter Scott novel in 1888. The company eventually became part of DCL, who made them licensees to the Benromach distillery for a while during the 20th century. It was purchased in 1994 by the Tomatin group, who continue to produce its Antiquary brand to this day. The J&W Hardie name was shelved in 2014 however.

The Millennium Blend is aged 21 years and presented in a replica of the original Antiquary blend packaging produced back in 1888.