April 2025 Auction

Pierre Ferrand 1806 Reserve Marie Domain Cognac

A Cognac form Pierre Ferrand that was distilled in 1806.

One of only 60 bottles.

Port Ellen 1978 37 Year Old 16th Release

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the sixteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1978 and bottled 37 years later in 2016.

Limited to 2,940 bottles.

Port Ellen 1979 37 Year Old 17th Release​

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the seventeenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1979 and bottled 37 years later in 2017.

One of 2,988 bottles.

Port Ellen 1977 SMWS 25 Year Old 61.14

'Sweet ginger biscuits'

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by these annual special releases.

This Port ellen was distilled in February 1977 and matured in a single cask for 25 years. It was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in October 2002. 

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.

Port Ellen 1979 25 Year Old 5th Release

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the fifth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1979 and bottled 25 years later in 2005.

One of 5,280 bottles.

Port Ellen 1978 24 Year Old 2nd Release

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by the annual special releases.

This is the second edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. It was distilled in 1978 and bottled 24 years later in 2002.

One of 12,000 bottles.

Port Ellen 1983 Norse Cask Selection 24 Year Old

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt.

This Norse Cask Selection bottling is a single cask, drawn from hogshead #CM016.

Impressively aged at 24 years old, this was bottled in 2008.

One of 298 bottles.

Penderyn Icons of Wales #5 / Bryn Terfel

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. The firm however, nor the rest of the country actually had a distillery at the time. The product was a somewhat controversial blend of Scotch malt and grain whiskies, and an eventual court case with the Scotch whisky industry. Three of the company directors were then jailed for Duty fraud, but all was not lost! A development funding grant from the EU had been used to develop a new type of spirit still, a project led by David Faraday at the University of Surrey. The result of this was the installation of a Faraday still at The Welsh Whisky Company's new Gwalia distillery in the Brecon Beacons national park, where today this increasingly popular Penderyn single malt is distilled.

This is number 5 of 50 in the Icons of Wales series, each of which celebrates Wales and its people throughout the world. This particular edition lauds opera singer, Bryn Terfel.

Port Charlotte 10 Year Old Private Sherry Cask #630

Port Charlotte is a heavily peated single malt produced at Bruichladdich distillery, introduced after Murray McDavid purchased the distillery 2001. The brand is named after a historic distillery in the eponymous neighbouring town. Having been traditionally an un-peated single malt due to the needs of its former owners for their blends, Murray McDavid were quick to diversify the Bruichladdich portfolio, also introducing the even peatier Lochindaal and Octomore.

This was aged for 10 years in fresh Sherry hogshead #630, before being bottled in July 2013. 

One of 312 bottles.

Port Charlotte 2005 KLMS Collection 8 Years Old

Port Charlotte is a heavily peated single malt produced at Bruichladdich distillery, introduced after Murray McDavid purchased the distillery 2001. The brand is named after a historic distillery in the eponymous neighbouring town. Having been traditionally an un-peated single malt due to the needs of its former owners for their blends, Murray McDavid were quick to diversify the Bruichladdich portfolio, also introducing the even peatier Lochindaal and Octomore.

Distilled on the 26th October 2005 and bottled 8 years later from single bourbon cask #1776.

Penderyn 2013 Single Tawny Port Cask #PT266

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. The firm however, nor the rest of the country actually had a distillery at the time. The product was a somewhat controversial blend of Scotch malt and grain whiskies, and an eventual court case with the Scotch whisky industry. Three of the company directors were then jailed for Duty fraud, but all was not lost! A development funding grant from the EU had been used to develop a new type of spirit still, a project led by David Faraday at the University of Surrey. The result of this was the installation of a Faraday still at The Welsh Whisky Company's new Gwalia distillery in the Brecon Beacons national park, where today this increasingly popular Penderyn single malt is distilled.

This whisky was distilled in June 2013 and laid to rest in single ex-Tawny Port cask #PT266 before being bottled in July 2019.

One of 724 bottles.

Pinwinnie 12 Year Old Royale Scotch Whisky 1980s

Increasingly harder and harder to find, Pinwinnie blended whisky was produced by the Pinwinnie Distillery of Airdrie, Scotland and was a popular brand of Inver House Distillers. Pinwinnie was discontinued before the turn of the millennium. 

This is a bottle of the 12 year old release bottled around the 1980s. 

Platte Valley 5 Year Old 100% Straight Corn Whiskey

A 1990s bottling of straight whiskey with a mashbill of 100% corn.

Distilled and bottled by the McCormick Distilling Co in Weston, Missouri. This brand is alive and well today, although it is now distilled in Illinois.

Prince Hubert de Polignac Three Star Cognac ​

A Cognac produced by Prince Hubert de Polignac.  

Prince Hubert de Polignac VSOP Cognac Piano Miniature

This Cognac house was founded in 1947 by Prince Hubert de Polignac who gave the brand his name. In 1959 Cognac Prince Hubert de Polignac got the prestigious title of official supplier to the Denmark court. In 2019, Prince Hubert de Polignac was acquired by Hong Kong investment fund Asia Turbo International.

Bottled as a miniature and presented in a small, model piano.

Penderyn Icons of Wales #5 / Bryn Terfel

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. The firm however, nor the rest of the country actually had a distillery at the time. The product was a somewhat controversial blend of Scotch malt and grain whiskies, and an eventual court case with the Scotch whisky industry. Three of the company directors were then jailed for Duty fraud, but all was not lost! A development funding grant from the EU had been used to develop a new type of spirit still, a project led by David Faraday at the University of Surrey. The result of this was the installation of a Faraday still at The Welsh Whisky Company's new Gwalia distillery in the Brecon Beacons national park, where today this increasingly popular Penderyn single malt is distilled.

This is number 5 of 50 in the Icons of Wales series, each of which celebrates Wales and its people throughout the world. This particular edition lauds opera singer, Bryn Terfel.

Pig's Nose Scotch Whisky

From the makers of Sheep Dip, another farm themed Scotch. This is Pigs Nose.

Pickwick Scotch Whisky Decanter Christmas 1982

This is a blended Scotch whisky presented in a ceramic decanter specially bottled for Christmas 1982.

Penderyn 2004 Single Bourbon Cask 20 Year Old #37 / LMDW

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. The firm however, nor the rest of the country actually had a distillery at the time. The product was a somewhat controversial blend of Scotch malt and grain whiskies, and an eventual court case with the Scotch whisky industry. Three of the company directors were then jailed for Duty fraud, but all was not lost! A development funding grant from the EU had been used to develop a new type of spirit still, a project led by David Faraday at the University of Surrey. The result of this was the installation of a Faraday still at The Welsh Whisky Company's new Gwalia distillery in the Brecon Beacons national park, where today this increasingly popular Penderyn single malt is distilled.

This single cask whisky was distilled in 2004 and matured in ex-Bourbon cask for 20 years. Bottled in 2024 and selected by LMDW.

One of 115 bottles.

Penderyn 2015 Adelphi 8 Year Old #1177

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. The firm however, nor the rest of the country actually had a distillery at the time. The product was a somewhat controversial blend of Scotch malt and grain whiskies, and an eventual court case with the Scotch whisky industry. Three of the company directors were then jailed for Duty fraud, but all was not lost! A development funding grant from the EU had been used to develop a new type of spirit still, a project led by David Faraday at the University of Surrey. The result of this was the installation of a Faraday still at The Welsh Whisky Company's new Gwalia distillery in the Brecon Beacons national park, where today this increasingly popular Penderyn single malt is distilled.

This Penderyn was distilled in 2015 and matured for 8 years in first-fill Bourbon cask #1177, before being bottled by Adelphi in 2024.

Adelphi 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 Distillers Company Ltd in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. With a lineage of whisky expertise he operated Adelphi as private bottling company, which now in the hands of Keith Falconer and David Houston, continues the fine work he began of bottling top quality expressions from Scotland's finest distilleries. The company is now also distilling their own whisky at Ardnamurchan distillery in Glenbeg.

One of only 247 bottles.

Proof and Wood 2001 Blame Canada! 22 Year Old Canadian Rye Whiskey 70cl

This rye whiskey was distilled in 2001 from a mashbill of 91% rye and 9% corn. It was matured in single barrel #1 for 22 years.

Titled Blame Canada!, it was bottled by Proof and Wood Ventures, the second start-up from the people that brought us Redemption Whiskey.

Peated Highland 8 Year Old Single Malt

The Creative Whisky Company was established in 2005 by David and Dawn Stirk. David had been involved in the industry for a long time, both writing extensively about whisky in magazines and books, as well as being a former employee of Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Wm. Cadenhead. His new family company bottled its first whiskies in 2011. Their brands include the Exclusive Malts, Exclusive Grains, and a range of Exclusive Blends as well.

An 8 Year Old Highland Malt bottled by the Creative Whisky Co.

Cask no 017 with cask reference AM.

Peated Highland 8 Year Old Single Malt

The Creative Whisky Company was established in 2005 by David and Dawn Stirk. David had been involved in the industry for a long time, both writing extensively about whisky in magazines and books, as well as being a former employee of Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Wm. Cadenhead. His new family company bottled its first whiskies in 2011. Their brands include the Exclusive Malts, Exclusive Grains, and a range of Exclusive Blends as well.

An 8 Year Old Highland Malt bottled by the Creative Whisky Co.

Cask no 017 with cask reference AM.

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve 2024

The Old Rip Van Winkle brand was a pre-prohibition bourbon label, revived by the Van Winkle family after they were forced to sell their Stitzel-Weller distillery by its board of directors. New owners, Somerset Imports, granted Julian Van Winkle II (son of the famous 'Pappy') the continued use of an office at the distillery, and first option on purchasing casks to bottle his new brand with. When he died and the business passed to his son, Julian III, this courtesy was no longer extended, and he moved bottling to the old Hoffman distillery in Lawrenceburg in 1983, renaming it Old Commonwealth. He was still able to buy Stitzel-Weller stock though, and introduced the famous Pappy Van Winkle range in homage to his grandfather, using well-aged barrels from the distillery the now-legendary figure once so lovingly ran. When Stitzel-Weller was closed down by United Distillers in 1992, it was only a matter of time before stock would run out. This necessitated a partnership between Julian Van Winkle III and Buffalo Trace distillery in 2002, seeing all bottling move there, initially using the remaining Stitzel-Weller barrels, with these eventually replaced by Buffalo Trace distilled stock. The product from all eras is revered, and the brand is considered to be the first premium bourbon line to have been produced in the US.

The 20 year old has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 three-bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996. This bottle is the 2024 release.

A historic distillery, Buffalo Trace was built in 1812 Harrison Blanton. It was then purchased by the legendary Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr in 1870, who named it OFC (Old Fashioned Copper) and invested heavily in its modernisation. So much so in fact that he declared himself bankrupt after just seven years, and George T. Stagg stepped in to rescue it, becoming its owner in 1878. He ran the distillery until his retirement in the 1890s, and it was renamed in his honour in 1904. Having survived Prohibition, it was bought up by the Schenley company in 1933, who ran it as part of their extensive portfolio for the next fifty years, eventually selling it to Age International. The latter's new Japanese ownership in 1992 had no interest in it (only in its brands), and immediately sold it to the Sazerac company, who renamed it Buffalo Trace in 1999.

Laser code: L2424901 19:40M

Pride of Strathspey 1959/1960 Gordon and MacPhail Royal Marriage 1986 Miniature

A special vatting of Highland malt whisky from Gordon & MacPhail, produced to honour the 1986 royal marriage between Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

The bottle contains whisky of 1959 and 1960 vintages, the birth years of the couple.

It is widely rumoured that the Pride of Strathspey releases from Gordon & MacPhail are Macallan.

Port Ellen 1983 The Whiskyman 27 Year Old

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

This Port Ellen was distilled in 1983 and matured in a single cask for 27 years. It was bottled for The Whiskyman in Belgium in 2011.

One of 120 bottles. 

Port Ellen 1983 Shinanoya 27 Years Old / The Chess

For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.

This Port Ellen was distilled 1983 and matured in a single sherry butt. It was bottled in 2010 exclusively for Japanese specialist supermarket Shinanoya. This release is part of The Chess series.

One of 240 bottles.

Pierre Oudinot Napoleon Grand Cognac 1960s

An old bottle of Napoleon coganc, imported to Italy in the 1960s.

Puerto De Indias Peach, Elderflower & Orange Sevillian Gin

A bottle of gin from Los Alcores, a distilling company located in Spain.

Peated Highland 8 Year Old Single Malt

The Creative Whisky Company was established in 2005 by David and Dawn Stirk. David had been involved in the industry for a long time, both writing extensively about whisky in magazines and books, as well as being a former employee of Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Wm. Cadenhead. His new family company bottled its first whiskies in 2011. Their brands include the Exclusive Malts, Exclusive Grains, and a range of Exclusive Blends as well.

An 8 Year Old Highland Malt bottled by the Creative Whisky Co.

Cask no 017 with cask reference AM.

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve 2017

The Old Rip Van Winkle brand was a pre-prohibition bourbon label, revived by the Van Winkle family after they were forced to sell their Stitzel-Weller distillery by its board of directors. New owners, Somerset Imports, granted Julian Van Winkle II (son of the famous 'Pappy') the continued use of an office at the distillery, and first option on purchasing casks to bottle his new brand with. When he died and the business passed to his son, Julian III, this courtesy was no longer extended, and he moved bottling to the old Hoffman distillery in Lawrenceburg in 1983, renaming it Old Commonwealth. He was still able to buy Stitzel-Weller stock though, and introduced the famous Pappy Van Winkle range in homage to his grandfather, using well-aged barrels from the distillery the now-legendary figure once so lovingly ran. When Stitzel-Weller was closed down by United Distillers in 1992, it was only a matter of time before stock would run out. This necessitated a partnership between Julian Van Winkle III and Buffalo Trace distillery in 2002, seeing all bottling move there, initially using the remaining Stitzel-Weller barrels, with these eventually replaced by Buffalo Trace distilled stock. The product from all eras is revered, and the brand is considered to be the first premium bourbon line to have been produced in the US.

The 20 year old has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 three-bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

Now incredibly hard to find and even harder to buy from any retailer.

A historic distillery, Buffalo Trace was built in 1812 Harrison Blanton. It was then purchased by the legendary Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr in 1870, who named it OFC (Old Fashioned Copper) and invested heavily in its modernisation. So much so in fact that he declared himself bankrupt after just seven years, and George T. Stagg stepped in to rescue it, becoming its owner in 1878. He ran the distillery until his retirement in the 1890s, and it was renamed in his honour in 1904. Having survived Prohibition, it was bought up by the Schenley company in 1933, who ran it as part of their extensive portfolio for the next fifty years, eventually selling it to Age International. The latter's new Japanese ownership in 1992 had no interest in it (only in its brands), and immediately sold it to the Sazerac company, who renamed it Buffalo Trace in 1999.

Glass Laser-Code: L1726201 13:27N

Port Ellen 1980 Dun Eideann / 43%

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt.

This whisky was distilled in 1980 and bottled in 1996.

Dun Eideann is an independent whisky label produced by Andrew Symington of Signatory Vintage. It was devised as a means to allow him to sell whisky in different markets using competing distibutors. For example, the French distributor for Signatory Vintage was La Maison du Whisky, while Dun Eideann was imported by Auxil. Similarly, in Italy the two brands were distributed by Velier and Donato, respectively. There are over 250 bottlings under the Dun Eideann banner, which is the Scots gaelic term for ‘Edinburgh.’