April 2025 Auction

Wild Turkey 8 Year Old 101 Proof 1969

The Wild Turkey distillery, then known as Boulevard, was built in 1935 by the Ripy Brothers in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The Wild Turkey brand name originated around 1941 when some, shared on a hunting trip, was referred to as \"some of that wild turkey whiskey.\" It is distilled at bottled by the Austin Nicholls company and for many years they had sourced the whiskey from the Ripy's, but eventually bought the distillery from them in 1972, renaming it in the process. Of almost equal importance, the purchase of the distillery included the contract of legendary master distillery, Jimmy Russell, who started working there in 1954. His name is synonymous with the brand, and his son succeeded him 2015. In 2011 a new Wild Turkey distillery was built on the same site, replacing the original Ripy plant after 76 years.

This is the classic 8 year old expression, bottled at 101 US proof. Although it pre-dates the 1972 purchase of Boulevard distillery by Austin, Nichols & Co, however the whiskey was still produced there under contract. In 1968 when this was bottled, the Master Distiller was a certain Jimmy Russell, and the distillery was called JTS Brown.

Whyte and Mackay 21 Year Old 1980s

A well matured blend produced by Whyte and Mackay.

James Whyte and Charles Mackay started their company in 1882, quickly launching their Whyte & Mackay special blend. Their sales were predominantly in the export market until after the second world war, when they renewed their focus domestically. The firm merged with the Mackenzie Brothers in 1960, giving them their first distillery, Dalmore. They soon added Tamnavulin, Fettercairn and the Invergordon grain distillery to their portfolio, all of which have been key contributors to their blends over the years. Whyte & Mackay have always been forward thinking in their approach, using sherry finishing for their proprietary blend, and introducing the first 40 fl oz bottle for the on-trade in 1963 (now an industry standard). Today the brand is synonymous with its master blender, Richard Paterson, and remains one of the most popular Scotch brands in the world.

This bottle comes with a certificate signed by Richard Paterson and is dated June 1984.

No size or ABV is stated on the bottle.

Willett Pot Still Reserve Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon​ #4467 1.75 Litres

This is a single cask bottling of the Willett Pot Still Reserve brand from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, drawn from single barrel #4467.

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

One of 115 bottles.

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

Port Charlotte 16 Year Old / Feis Ile 2020

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 formers owners for blends, Murray McDavid were quick to diversify the Bruichladdich portfolio, also introducing the even peatier Lochindaal and Octomore.

Originally intended as Bruichladdich distillery's Feis Ile release for 2020, after the festival was sadly cancelled, this was offered up by an online ballot in May that year instead. The whisky is a vatting of three parcels of 2003 vintage single malt. The first were refill hogsheads, recasked into first fill bourbon barrels in 2012. The second were first fill bourbon barrels reracked into ex-Sauternes casks in 2013. The final parcel was a variety of ex-sherry, ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks.

One of 3,000 bottles.

Port Dundas 1973 Duncan Taylor 34 Year Old

Built in 1811 at the highest point of the city of Glasgow, Port Dundas grain distillery was a true giant of its day. It became a founding member of DCL in 1877, and over the years has been key component in many of its blends, including Johnnie Walker and White Horse. By the end of the 19th century it was the largest distillery in Scotland, armed with three Coffey and five pot stills, the giant was producing well over two million gallons of spirit a year. Having survived two fires in the early 20th century, the distillery’s story came to an end in 2010 when Diageo the modern iteration of DCL, closed it down to consolidate its grain production at the newly expanded Cameronbridge.

This single grain whisky from the now closed Port Dundas was distilled in January 1973 and bottled in December 2007 by Duncan Taylor. 

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 461 bottles.

Wild Turkey 2009 EBRA Selection 7 Year Old Single Cask

A single barrel Wild Turkey, distilled in 2009 and bottled by the European Bourbon & Rye Association in 2016.

This 7 year old has been \"one year Double Oaked\" suggesting some sort of finishing period.

One of 136 bottles from barrel #5.2.

Pittyvaich 1979 Duncan Taylor 28 Year Old

Pittyvaich could be considered the front-runner for shortest-lived Speyside distillery. It was built in 1975 by Arthur Bell & Sons, next-door to their Dufftown distillery, in order to increase provision for its popular blends. Arthur Bell & Sons were bought by Guinness in 1985, who's merger with DCL to form United Distillers (now Diageo) the following year, saw the huge firm oversupplied by its enormous portfolio. Pittyvaich was an early candidate for closure, and was silenced in 1993 before later being demolished. The brief Flora & Fauna release was the only distillery bottling of Pittyvaich in its lifetime, and aside from the occasional official limited edition, the majority of releases have been increasingly sought after independents like this.

An independently bottled Pittyvaich from Duncan Taylor, part of their Rarest of the Rare series which spotlights Scotland's closed distilleries.

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.

Distilled in April 1979 and bottled in May 2007 from single cask #5638.

One of only 210 bottles.

Penderyn Peated

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. However, neither the firm 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 core range single malt is finished in ex-Islay casks.

William Larue Weller 2018 Release

William Larue Weller was born into a distilling family in Kentucky in 1825, and launched his W.L. Weller brand in 1849. Originally a rectification business (creating 'whiskey' using neutral spirit, colouring and flavourings), this all changed with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 and the death of Weller two years later. The company was left in the hands of the fiercely passionate Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle I who, having steered it safely through the wreckage of National Prohibition, established Old Weller alongside the newly acquired Old Fitzgerald labels and the flagship brands for the new Stitzel-Weller distillery in 1933. It was produced there for over 60 years, eventually being sold to the Sazerac Company in 1999, who distil it at Buffalo Trace using Pappy's recipe to this day.

This line was introduced in 2000 as the W.L. Weller 19 year old, however it was removed again in 2003 due to the Sazerac partnership with Old Rip Van Winkle, which required primary access to the distillery ageing wheated bourbon. It returned as the younger William Larue Weller in 2005, and has been bottled annually since, as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, a selection of whiskies collated and in some cases created to pay homage to the history of the company and its brands.

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.

This 2018 release was drawn from 149 barrels, filled in Winter 2006 and matured for 12 years.

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 bottled during the 1980s featuring the plastic capsule. 

Penderyn Icons of Wales #11 / Patagonia

The first Welsh whisky brand, Swn Y Mor, was devised in the 1970s by The Welsh Whisky Company. However, neither the firm 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 11 of 50 in the Icons of Wales series, each of which celebrates Wales and its people throughout the world.

This edition is the distillery's first blended malt, and celebrates the first group of Welsh emigrants that travelled from Liverpool to Patagonia, aboard the Mimosa in 1865. 

Port Ellen 1982 McGibbon's Provenance 18 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 1982 and matured for 18 years. It was bottled by Douglas McGibbon & Co. in 2001 under their McGibbon's Provenance label.

Douglas McGibbon & Co were established in 1947 becoming a subsidiary of independent bottler, Douglas Laing, in 1950. They are perhaps best known for their McGibbon's blend and its golf-themed decanters, but for many years produced this Provenance brand for single malts as well. When Douglas Laing was carved up between brothers Stewart and Fred in 2013, the McGibbon's and Provenance brands were retained by Fred as part of Douglas Laing firm, with other notable labels such as the Old Malt Cask going the other way, to Stewart's newly founded Hunter Laing. Nowadays the Provenance brand is part of the main Douglas Laing portfolio, with Douglas McGibbon the named bottler on Clan Denny releases.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Port Ellen 1974 Intertrade 14 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

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.

A 14 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in May 1974 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in July 1988. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

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.

One of only 570 bottles.

This particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 16 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

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.

A 16 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in January 1970 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in September 1986. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

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.

One of 258 bottles.

This lot is signed by Nadi Fiori.

Port Ellen 1978 Turatello 16 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

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.

A 16 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in April 1978 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in September 1994. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

This is a Nadi Fiori bottling. Fiori was the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Italy, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi. Fiori established an import company in the 1980s, along with beer distributors the Turatello brothers, and the firm was named Intertrade. Their bottles are legendary and some of the most sought after on the market. The Intertrade name disappears around 1989, however Fiori continued to import bottles under the Turatello Imports name, like this one. He would then later go on to found his own company, called High Spirits.

This particular bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 16 Year Old Magnum 1.5 Litre / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

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.

A 16 year old Port Ellen, this was distilled in December 1970 and bottled by Intertrade in August 1987. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

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.

One of only 240 bottles.

This bottle is signed by Nadi Fiori.

Note that this lot will include a two bottle shipping fee.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 17 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

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 January 1970 and matured for 17 years. It was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in June 1987. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

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.

One of 243 bottles.

This bottle has been signed by Nadi Fiori.

Port Charlotte 2003 Private Cask 20 Year Old #275 

Like its island neighbour Bunnahabhain distillery, Bruichladdich has traditionally been an un-peated single malt, mostly owing to its requirements by the blenders who owned it. The last of these was Whyte & Mackay, who eventually shut it down in 1995, deeming it surplus to requirements. They sold the distillery to Murray McDavid in 2001, who launched the peated Port Charlotte and heavily-peated Octomore single malts in 2006 and 2008. A recommissioned Lomond still also now produces the popular Botanist gin there.

This is a private bottling of 20 year old Bruichladdich that was drawn from sherry hogshead cask #275. 

Wild Turkey Master's Keep 1894 Batch #1

The Wild Turkey distillery, then known as Boulevard, was built in 1935 by the Ripy Brothers in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The Wild Turkey brand name originated around 1941 when some, shared on a hunting trip, was referred to as \"some of that wild turkey whiskey.\" It is distilled at bottled by the Austin Nicholls company and for many years they had sourced the whiskey from the Ripy's, but eventually bought the distillery from them in 1972, renaming it in the process. Of almost equal importance, the purchase of the distillery included the contract of legendary master distillery, Jimmy Russell, who started working there in 1954. His name is synonymous with the brand, and his son succeeded him 2015. In 2011 a new Wild Turkey distillery was built on the same site, replacing the original Ripy plant after 76 years.

A special bottling of well-aged Wild Turkey, matured in Rickhouse A, the oldest at Wild Turkey.

Prince Hubert de Polignac Three Star Cognac 1.5 litre

A larger bottling of Three Star cognac, produced by Prince Hubert de Polignac.  

Please note: due to the size and weight of this lot, it will incur a 2 bottle shipping fee

Petite Champagne Cognac 1973 Whisky Agency 42 Year Old

A 1973 vintage very fine old cognac from the Whisky Agency, bottled in 2016 at 42 years old.

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

One of 483 bottles.

Paul Giraud Heritage Grande Champagne Cognac

A single cask Cognac from the Grand Champagne region. 

William Larue Weller 2023 Release

William Larue Weller was born into a distilling family in Kentucky in 1825, and launched his W.L. Weller brand in 1849. Originally a rectification business (creating 'whiskey' using neutral spirit, colouring and flavourings), this all changed with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 and the death of Weller two years later. The company was left in the hands of the fiercely passionate Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle I who, having steered it safely through the wreckage of National Prohibition, established Old Weller alongside the newly acquired Old Fitzgerald labels and the flagship brands for the new Stitzel-Weller distillery in 1933. It was produced there for over 60 years, eventually being sold to the Sazerac Company in 1999, who distil it at Buffalo Trace using Pappy's recipe to this day.

This line was introduced in 2000 as the W.L. Weller 19 year old, however it was removed again in 2003 due to the Sazerac partnership with Old Rip Van Winkle, which required primary access to the distillery ageing wheated bourbon. It returned as the younger William Larue Weller in 2005, and has been bottled annually since, as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, a selection of whiskies collated and in some cases created to pay homage to the history of the company and its brands.

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.

The 2023 release was distilled in the Spring of 2011 and matured for 12 years.

Wild Turkey 17 Year Old Master's Keep Bottled in Bond Batch #1

The Wild Turkey distillery, then known as Boulevard, was built in 1935 by the Ripy Brothers in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The Wild Turkey brand name originated around 1941 when some, shared on a hunting trip, was referred to as \"some of that wild turkey whiskey.\" It is distilled at bottled by the Austin Nicholls company and for many years they had sourced the whiskey from the Ripy's, but eventually bought the distillery from them in 1972, renaming it in the process. Of almost equal importance, the purchase of the distillery included the contract of legendary master distillery, Jimmy Russell, who started working there in 1954. His name is synonymous with the brand, and his son succeeded him 2015. In 2011 a new Wild Turkey distillery was built on the same site, replacing the original Ripy plant after 76 years.

The Master's Keep series was originally debuted in 2017, and featured the original Aged 17 Years, Decades, The 1824 and Revival.

This Bottled in Bond version of the 17-year-old was released in June 2020.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.

Writer's Tears Cask Strength 2021

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 as Hot Irishman Ltd by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, to blend and bottle their recipe for Irish Coffee. In 2006 they signed an agreement with an undisclosed distillery, granting them a long-term supply of whiskey in order to launch their own brands. The Irishman was the first, in 2007, followed by Writer's Tears in 2009. The success of these drew investment from ILLVA Saronno in Italy, who partnered with the company to open the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Construction began in 2014, and laid down its first casks in March 2016, becoming the first distillery in County Carlow for over 200 years. Relations between the Irish and Italian companies quickly deteriorated however, and in January 2019 it was announced that they were to demerge. The brands remained the property of the newly named Walsh Whiskey, while the distillery, renamed Royal Oak, remained with ILLVA Saronno.

Writer's Tears is an unusual blend containing single malt and single pot still Irish whiskies, with no grain whiskey. This is the 2021 release of the brand's cask strength expression, first released in 2011.

One of 4,500 bottles.