April 2025 Auction

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength 2017 / 55.7%

Glengyle is J&A Mitchell’s resurrected Campbeltown distillery, originally opened by William Mitchell in 1872. As with most of those in the region, it did not however survive the 1920s, and closed midway through the decade. In 2000 the site was reacquired by the family company though, and the new distillery was designed by former Springbank manager, Frank McHardy, who incorporated the two spirit stills from the long-defunct Ben Wyvis, where he began his career. Distilling began in 2004, and the first release was bottled in 2007. Interestingly, J&A Mitchell were did not acquire the Glengyle trademark along with the site (it belongs to Glen Scotia), so its single malt is bottled under the Kilkerran brand.

This is the 2017 edition of the annual 8 year old cask strength bottling, bottled in March that year.

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength 2017 / 55.7%

Glengyle is J&A Mitchell’s resurrected Campbeltown distillery, originally opened by William Mitchell in 1872. As with most of those in the region, it did not however survive the 1920s, and closed midway through the decade. In 2000 the site was reacquired by the family company though, and the new distillery was designed by former Springbank manager, Frank McHardy, who incorporated the two spirit stills from the long-defunct Ben Wyvis, where he began his career. Distilling began in 2004, and the first release was bottled in 2007. Interestingly, J&A Mitchell were did not acquire the Glengyle trademark along with the site (it belongs to Glen Scotia), so its single malt is bottled under the Kilkerran brand.

This is the 2017 edition of the annual 8 year old cask strength bottling, bottled in March that year.

Strathisla 1960 Gordon and MacPhail bottled 2011

Speyside's oldest operating distillery, Strathisla was founded in 1786 as Milltown, and later renamed Milton in 1890. The distillery was an early advocate of its single malt, which it sold under the brand name, Strathisla, after the river that runs past the site. Strathisla single malt was bottled as early as the late 19th century, and proved very popular. None-the-less, by the 1940s it was struggling, needing rescued by Canadian giants, Seagram, who bought it in 1950, renaming it Strathisla the following year, and tasking it as a key contributor to its Chivas blends. Despite this, the single malt brand remained a core part of the business, and remains so to this day.

This Strathisla was distilled in 1960 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2011.

Seagram licensed the distillery’s single malt brand to their Chivas Brothers blending operation, but also to Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960 and 1970s. It is the latter’s bottles that are far more prominent. This good standing with the distillery has furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

Chivas Brothers became to sole licensee in the 1980s, launching a 12 year old using this classic branding. Gordon & MacPhail continued to buy and bottle casks, developing a new “house label” which they used until the 1990s when Strathisla was given a modern new look as part of the Seagram Heritage Selection. Rather than confine it to history, Gordon & MacPhail reverted to using this classic label, and continue to do so today. As of 2018, bottles in this style have been branded as part of the Distillery Labels range.

Springbank 2014 Amontillado Cask Finish 10 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it is one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This Springbank was distilled in July 2014 and initially matured in refill bourbon barrels for 5 years, then finished in fresh Amontillado sherry hogsheads for a further 5 years. Released in late 2024, this is part of Springbank's five-part Sherry Wood series.

One of 9,900 bottles.

Springbank 1974 Chieftain's 29 Year Old / Ton Overmars

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This whisky was distilled in October 1974 and aged in single cask #1778 for 29 years. It was bottled at cask strength in October 2003, and made exclusive to Wijnwinkel Ton Overmars of Amsterdam.

Ian Macleod & Co was founded in 1933, and was acquired by Peter J Russell thirty years later, running alongside William Maxwell & Co as subsidiaries for many years, producing a range of blends and independent single malt bottlings. This is their flagship Chieftain’s label. Peter J Russell rebranded as Ian Macleod Distillers in 2003, at the same time as achieving their long-held ambition of becoming distillery owners, acquiring Glengoyne, and later, Tamdhu and Rosebank.

One of only 216 bottles.

Springbank 1974 Chieftain's 29 Year Old / Ton Overmars

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This whisky was distilled in October 1974 and aged in single cask #1778 for 29 years. It was bottled at cask strength in October 2003, and made exclusive to Wijnwinkel Ton Overmars of Amsterdam.

Ian Macleod & Co was founded in 1933, and was acquired by Peter J Russell thirty years later, running alongside William Maxwell & Co as subsidiaries for many years, producing a range of blends and independent single malt bottlings. This is their flagship Chieftain’s label. Peter J Russell rebranded as Ian Macleod Distillers in 2003, at the same time as achieving their long-held ambition of becoming distillery owners, acquiring Glengoyne, and later, Tamdhu and Rosebank.

One of only 216 bottles.

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2020 / 56.1%

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

Introduced in 2010 to replace the 12 year old 100 proof, these cask strength Springbank are incredibly popular.

This is Batch #21, bottled in October 2020. It was matured in a complex combination of 45% sherry casks, 25% bourbon casks, 25% Burgundy wine casks and 5% Port casks. 

One of 12,000 bottles.

Sheep Dip Islay Blended Malt

A nice extension of the popular Sheep Dip brand. The whisky used in this blended malt has all been distilled on Islay, and have been selected for their characteristic peaty notes. 

Sheep Dip 1999 Amaroso Oloroso

This whisky was distilled in 1999 and blended in Scotland. It was matured for three years in bourbon barrel then shipped to Sanchez Romate in Jerez and matured for further nine years in Oloroso Sherry butt. After that it was shipped back to Scotland and bottled in March 2012.

Springbank 21 Year Old 2024 Release

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

These gold boxed editions appeared in 2012 and were the first 21 year old to be produced since 2005 after the distillery's self-imposed closure in the 1990s left it without the requisite aged stock. They are incredibly popular with drinkers and collectors, usually selling out in shops very quickly.

The 2024 release was matured in a combination of 65% Port, 25% Bourbon, 5% Rum, and 5% Sherry casks. 

Springbank 25 Year Old 2023 Release

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is the 2023 release of the annual limited edition Springbank 25 year old.

One of just 1,400 bottles.

Springbank 30 Year Old 2025 Release

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is the 2025 release of the revered 30 year old, matured a combination of 85% bourbon casks and 15 % sherry casks.

Sexton Single Malt

An Irish single malt created by master distiller Alex Thomas. Produced with 100% Irish and matured in Oloroso sherry casks.

Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength Christmas 2020

Opened in 2005, Kilchoman was the first new distillery to be built on Islay for 124 years. Its proprietors are the Wills family, and the distillery saw a return of the practice of “farm distilling” to the island, with its own barely fields, malt floors and kilns. Today around 25% of its barley requirement is self-fulfilled, and in 2011 they bottled their first 100% Islay release of single farm, single malt. The distillery’s first release came in 2009, and it has cemented a fine reputation ever since.

First introduced in 2012, Machir Bay is now the distillery's core expression and is a vatting of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, with a greater influence from the former.

This 2020 limited edition was bottled at cask strength.

Springbank 18 Year Old 2023 Release

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is the 2023 release of the distillery's famous 18 year old.

Sexton Single Malt

An Irish single malt created by master distiller Alex Thomas. Produced with 100% Irish and matured in Oloroso sherry casks.

Scottish Cream Blended Whisky 1980s

This blend was bottled by the Kinloch Distillery Company, who once had a distillery in Campbeltown until the 1930s.

Slaintheva Blended Scotch Whisky circa 1970s / Japanese Import

A blend produced by Alexander Dunn & Co of Edinburgh. 

Named after the old Celtic phrase \"Slaintheva\" meaning very, very good health. 

Sempe XO Impériale Armagnac Crown Decanter 75cl

This is a Napoleon Armagnac from Sempe, who were founded in 1934 by Able Sempe. Presented in a cermaic crown decanter modelled off the one worn by Napoleon of France.

Armagnac is a style of brandy produced in the southwest of France, using the short alambic-armagnacais still which tends to produce richer spirits than that of Cognac. The impurities found in the spirit owing to these short stills require a long ageing period in order to reveal their silky richnesses within - thus well-aged Armagnacs can be a thing of utter beauty.

Strathisla 1982 Gordon and MacPhail bottled 1996

Speyside's oldest operating distillery, Strathisla was founded in 1786 as Milltown, and later renamed Milton in 1890. The distillery was an early advocate of its single malt, which it sold under the brand name, Strathisla, after the river that runs past the site. Strathisla single malt was bottled as early as the late 19th century, and proved very popular. None-the-less, by the 1940s it was struggling, needing rescued by Canadian giants, Seagram, who bought it in 1950, renaming it Strathisla the following year, and tasking it as a key contributor to its Chivas blends. Despite this, the single malt brand remained a core part of the business, and remains so to this day.

As Strathisla was one of the distilleries that licensed its brand to Gordon & MacPhail to produce official releases in the 1970s and 1980s, this good standing with the distillery has furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases.  

This is a 1982 vintage, bottled in 1996. The continued use of these classic liveries by Gordon & MacPhail is now called their Distillery Labels series.

Seagram licensed the distillery’s single malt brand to their Chivas Brothers blending operation, but also to Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960 and 1970s. It is the latter’s bottles that are far more prominent. This good standing with the distillery has furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

Springbank 2010 Local Barley 13 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is one of a select number of releases produced using malted barley harvested from neighbouring farms in the Campbeltown area. They were first introduced in the late 1990s, and were eventually re-named as the Local Barley series in the 2000s. Originally intended to be a 5 part revival series, this is now being marketed as an annual release.

Distilled in June 2010 and bottled in December 2023, the 'local barley' comes from the varietal, Belgravia, and was grown in Campbeltown at the Glencraigs Farm.

One of 8,400 bottles.

Springbank 10 Year Old 2021 Release

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is the classic 10 year old entry level expression from Springbank.

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2024 / 57.2%

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

Introduced in 2010 to replace the 12 year old 100 proof, these cask strength Springbank are incredibly popular.

Staub Fine Champagne Cognac

This cognac was produced by Staub in the Champagne region of France. It likely dates from the 1970s.

Springbank 'Glen Cawdor' 1976 Samaroli

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This Springbank was distilled in 1976 and bottled by R. W. Duthie for Samaroli under the Glen Cawdor pseudonym. The Glen Cawdor name was in part borrowed by Silvano Samaroli from Shakespeare; Castle Cawdor of course being the setting for MacBeth.

Samaroli are perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), founder Silvano Samaroli is regarded by many as a visionary. Since his passing in 2017, the company has been run by his friend Antonio Bleve, who continues his tradition of high quality releases. Many of Silvano’s early bottlings occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of all-time whisky greats.

One of only 960 bottles

Springbank 15 Year Old early 2000s

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This is the classic 15 year old expression from Springbank, presented in the first squat bottle style introduced in 2000.

Seagram's V.O Canadian Whisky circa 1970s / Italian Import

Seagram's Very Old is a popular Canadian whiskey, matured for 6 years.

Estimated to be from around the 1970s.

Stagg Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch #24C

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.

Because Sazerac did not own the the existing distillery portfolio, they necessarily had to begin adding new brands to their range. Besides their eponymous flagship bourbon, perhaps the most important of these was this, the George T. Stagg. It was originally added to the annual Antique Collection in 2002, quickly becoming a flag-bearer for the range. Stagg Jr was the brands first line extension, and was launched in 2013. A barrel proof bourbon, these are bottled in twice-annual batches and receive a wider and more accessible distribution than their hugely sought-after sibling.

Batch #24C was released in Winter 2024.

Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Summer 2018

Rye whiskey is synonymous with the Sazerac Company, becoming the key ingredient in the Sazerac cocktail which they sold at their eponymous coffee house in the late 19th century. The coffee house was run by Thomas H. Handy until his death in 1893. His former secretary, C.J. O’Reilly, took over the business and it was he who named it the Sazerac Company. The new company marketed a Sazerac rye whiskey for the first time, producing it up until Prohibition closed the Sazerac Coffee House down.

When the Sazerac Company acquired what is now called Buffalo Trace distillery in 1992, one of their long-term intentions was to see the eponymous rye brand return. They began distilling it for the first time in 1998, and introducing the modern version of the Sazerac Rye in 2006.

Prior to this however, a Sazerac 18 year old was launched in 2000 as part of what is now the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. These were bottled from a legendary batch of rye whiskey distilled by Schenley at Buffalo Trace when it was still known as George T. Stagg. It was distilled in the early 1980s with the intention of releasing a rye line for its popular Cream of Kentucky brand. The company lost interest in this however, and the casks were left to age far beyond the normal period for such whiskies. To the surprise of many, it turned into an exceptional product and has produced many legendary bottlings. In addition to these, it was also blended through the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye in 2004, and a number of barrels also ended up in the warehouses at Willett, where Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) used them for a number of brands, including the Willett Familty Estate, Black Maple Hill, and early examples of the Michter's revival.

With 1984 being the final vintage for the \"Cream of Kentucky\" rye, the remaining casks were placed into steel tanks in 2003 to prevent it from over-maturing, by then actually a 19 year old. It provided whiskey for this annual release until 2015 when it finally ran out. This 2018 release was also bottled from tanked whiskey, the original 1998-distilled rye first produced by Sazerac at what was then still George T. Stagg. This was first bottled for the 2016 release, and placed into neutral steel in the same year.

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.

Springbank 2014 Amontillado Cask Finish 10 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it is one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This Springbank was distilled in July 2014 and initially matured in refill bourbon barrels for 5 years, then finished in fresh Amontillado sherry hogsheads for a further 5 years. Released in late 2024, this is part of Springbank's five-part Sherry Wood series.

One of 9,900 bottles.

Stagg Jr Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch #17

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.

Because Sazerac did not own the the existing distillery portfolio, they necessarily had to begin adding new brands to their range. Besides their eponymous flagship bourbon, perhaps the most important of these was this, the George T. Stagg. It was originally added to the annual Antique Collection in 2002, quickly becoming a flag-bearer for the range. Stagg Jr was the brands first line extension, and was launched in 2013. A barrel proof bourbon, these are bottled in twice-annual batches and receive a wider and more accessible distribution than their hugely sought-after sibling.

Batch #17 was released in Winter 2021. This was the last batch to feature the Jr suffix in the name, as the next batch was bottled simply under the name Stagg.

Springbank 2014 Amontillado Cask Finish 10 Year Old

Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it is one of Scotland's most revered distilleries. Following a brief mothballing between 1979 and 1987, upon the reopening the decision was taken to cease all sales to the blending industry and focus on its single malt sales. Today it is one of the only distilleries to malt, distil, bottle and mature whisky on the same site, and produces three distinct and highly prized single malts.

This Springbank was distilled in July 2014 and initially matured in refill bourbon barrels for 5 years, then finished in fresh Amontillado sherry hogsheads for a further 5 years. Released in late 2024, this is part of Springbank's five-part Sherry Wood series.

One of 9,900 bottles.