April 2025 Auction

Chichibu 2015 Blackadder 8 Year Old #5172

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in October 2015 and matured in single American oak hogshead #5172 for 8 years. It was bottled in January 2024 for independent bottlers Blackadder.

Blackadder International were founded in 1995 by whisky writers, Robin Tucek and John Lamond, authors of the 1987 publication, The Malt Whisky File: The Essential Guide for the Malt Whisky Connoisseur. The company has gained great affection from whisky enthusiasts for its Raw Cask series, which is deliberately drawn un-filtered from the cask so as to retain all cask sediment along with any natural oils and fats. The company is credited with a key role in the popularisation of cask strength whiskies since its inception.

One of 278 bottles.

Chichibu 2017 Single Bourbon Cask #8785 / Spirits Shop' Selection

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2017 and matured in single first-fill bourbon barrel #8785. It was bottled in 2023 exclusively for Spirits Shop' Selection.

One of 205 bottles.

Chichibu 2015 Single Bourbon Cask #4585 / Spirits Shop' Selection

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2015 and matured in single first-fill bourbon barrel #4585. It was bottled in 2021 exclusively for Spirits Shop' Selection.

One of 193 bottles.

Chichibu Taiwan Edition 2020

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is the 2020 release of the Taiwan Edition.

One of 701 bottles.

Chivas Royal Salute 2002 The Vintage Blend 21 Year Old

The first Chivas Regal blend was launched by Chivas Brothers in 1909, a premium brand that quickly developed a big market in the US. While Prohibition put a temporary halt to its success ten years later, it also allowed Canadian distillers, Seagram, to become the biggest drinks company in North America, and they targeted Chivas Brothers straight away when buying into the Scotch market. They acquired the firm in 1949, adding Strathisla to its portfolio, and building a further three more distilleries. Over the years they also acquired the assets of Campbell Distillers and The Glenlivet Distillers, positioning it as one of the largest whisky companies in Scotland. The Seagram empire eventually collapsed in the early 2000s, with its Chivas Brothers arm picked up by Pernod-Ricard, along with Allied Domecq in a separate acquisition, bringing over the Ballantine's brand. Chivas now produces two of the top three selling blends in the world, and its distillery portfolio, with Glenlivet as its flagship brand, is rivalled only by that of Diageo.

Chichibu 2010 Single Malt

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2010 and matured in refill bourbon barrels.

Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon 1990s

Rock Hill Farms is a bourbon brand from the portfolio of Age International, the company formed by former Fleischmann's Distilling director's, Bob Baranaskas and Ferdie Falke. They had approached Schenley in the early 1980s with a view to purchasing its Old Charter brand, but were instead offered Ancient Age and the George T. Stagg distillery where it was produced. The deal was completed in 1983, two years before the retirement of George T. Stagg master distiller, Elmer T. Lee, who had served there for 36 years, working his way from the bottom up. One of his final pioneering triumphs before doing so was the introduction of mass produced single barrel bourbon through the creation of the Blanton's brand in 1984. In a fitting tribute, the following year saw the distillery launch the Elmer T. Lee single barrel in his honour and Rock Hill Farms, named after a stretch of farmland in Kentucky was introduced in 1990.

The popularity of these products was particularly high in Japan, coinciding with a market boom for American whiskey there in the 1980s. In 1991, with Age International in some financial trouble, a Japanese company called Takaro Shuzo stepped in and acquired a 22.5% stake in the company. In an unusual series of events, they then scuppered a deal the following year that was to see the remaining shares sold to Heublein (a subsidiary of Grand Metropolitan). Their deal the year before had included a 30 day right of refusal to purchase the shares for themselves should they be put up for sale. With the deal all but done, the Japanese company stepped in on the final day of the window to acquire full control of the company. As it turned out, their only interest was in the brands, and they had used the 30 days to negotiate a deal with the Sazerac Company of  New Orleans. This saw the American company take ownership of the distillery (which they renamed Buffalo Trace in 1999), as well as the exclusive production and US distribution rights for the Age International labels. This is an arrangement that is still in place today.

Chichibu 2014 Single Beer Cask #11036 / TWS

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2014 and matured in single beer barrel #11036, which was sourced from a local brewery. It was bottled in 2024 exclusively for The Whisky Shop.

One of 226 bottles.

Caol Ila 22 Year Old Cask Strength / Feis Ile 2019

Caol Ila distillery was built in 1846 by Hector Henderson, who was bought out from the venture a little over 10 year later by Bulloch Lade. The blending firm merged with DCL (now Diageo) in 1927, who still run the distillery today. In 1972 the original site was demolished and replaced by a new one. When distilling resumed in 1974, Caol Ila was the largest producer of single malt on the Isle of Islay. Despite this, due to its importance in popular blends such as Johnnie Walker, its single malt brand disappeared under United Distillers, and it was not until 2002 that it would return, when the 12 year old was revived by Diageo.

Released on the distillery's open day on May 27th, this Caol Ila has been matured for over 22 years in sherry-treated American oak casks. Bottled at a cask strength of 58.4%, this is one of two Caol ila bottlings for the 2019 Feis Ile festival on Islay.

Feis Ile, also known as the Islay Festival of Music and Malt had humble beginnings. It traces it origins back to 1985 and the establishment of The Islay Festival Association after it was realised that an event celebrating Gaelic, music and culture would drive tourism to the island. The inaugural event was two weeks of music, drama and workshops with ceilidhs, concerts and dances in the evening. The first whisky tasting took place as a festival event in 1990, and ten years later the island's distilleries began to be directly involved, organising their annual open days to coincide with it. Today it is one of the biggest events on the whisky calendar, annually drawing hundreds of revellers, and turning out an increasingly sought-after batch of limited edition whiskies like this.

One of 3,000 bottles.

Chichibu 2015 Single Bourbon Cask #4226 / Spirits Shop' Selection

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2015 and matured in single first-fill bourbon barrel #4226. It was bottled in 2023 exclusively for Spirits Shop' Selection.

One of 205 bottles.

Chichibu 2015 Single Wine Cask #12509 / Whisky Magazine

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2015 and matured in single Koshu Chardonnay cask #12509, which was sourced from a local Chichibu winery. It was bottled in 2022 exclusively for Whisky Magazine, as part of their Japanese Craft Whisky series.

One of 271 bottles.

Chichibu Paris Edition 2023

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is the sixth release of the Chichibu Paris Edition which was sold via legendary French spirits merchant, La Maison du Whisky. This whisky is a marriage of nine ex-Bourbon, Quarter and hogshead casks which have been aged between five to seven years. The label artwork features several different examples of Parisian shopping avenues built in the 19th-Century. These include Samaritaine, Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps and the Galerie Lafayette.

One of 2,100 bottles.

Ciroc Ten X Vodka 1 Litre / Gavin

Cîroc is a French vodka brand, distilled five times from French grapes grown in the Cognac region.

This particular NFS bottle has been produced as a leaving present for 'Gavin' at I&BC Team.

Chichibu London Edition 2022

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is the 2022 and fifth release of Chichibu's London Edition, produced annually to coincide with The Whisky Show.

One of 1,861 bottles.

Chichibu The US Edition 2018 75cl

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

Exclusive to the US, this 2018 small batch release comprised Mizunara hogshead #1460 and bourbon barrels #1882, #1886, #2590, #2591 and #2596.

One of 1,235 bottles.

Chichibu Paris Edition 2023

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is the sixth release of the Chichibu Paris Edition which was sold via legendary French spirits merchant, La Maison du Whisky. This whisky is a marriage of nine ex-Bourbon, Quarter and hogshead casks which have been aged between five to seven years. The label artwork features several different examples of Parisian shopping avenues built in the 19th-Century. These include Samaritaine, Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps and the Galerie Lafayette.

One of 2,100 bottles.

Chichibu London Edition 2023

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is the 2023 and sixth release of Chichibu's London Edition, produced annually to coincide with The Whisky Show.

One of 1,949 bottles. 

Rosebank 1990 Douglas Laing 19 Year Old

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

This whisky was distilled in February 1990 and aged in a refill butt for 19 years.It was bottled in December 2009.

Douglas Laing & Co was established in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, affectionately known as “FDL.” The company started out as a blending business, but over time their focus shifted towards independently bottlings single malts. Fred died in 1982, leaving the business to his two sons, Stewart and Fred Jr, who eventually carved it up in 2013, with Stewart leaving to establish Hunter Laing. Fred Jr and his daughter Cara now run Douglas Laing, which continues to bottle single malt and has also revived its blending business. Additionally, the company has recently moved into distilling as well, announcing plans to construct the new Clutha distillery in Glasgow, and taking over Strathearn in Perthshire in 2019.

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

One of 670 bottles.

Chichibu 2014 Single Bourbon Cask #3905/ Sweden & Norway

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is one of 185 bottles charged from single Bourbon cask #3905.  Distilled in 2014 and bottled exclusively for Sweden and Norway.

Caol Ila 1994 Gordon and MacPhail 30 Year Old Batch #24/229

Caol Ila distillery was built in 1846 by Hector Henderson, who was bought out from the venture a little over 10 year later by Bulloch Lade. The blending firm merged with DCL (now Diageo) in 1927, who still run the distillery today. In 1972 the original site was demolished and replaced by a new one. When distilling resumed in 1974, Caol Ila was the largest producer of single malt on the Isle of Islay. Despite this, due to its importance in popular blends such as Johnnie Walker, its single malt brand disappeared under United Distillers, and it was not until 2002 that it would return, when the 12 year old was revived by Diageo. The Flora & Fauna release was well-regarded in the meantime, but it was independent releases like this that gave the best opportunity to sample this much-loved single malt.

This was distilled in 1994 and aged for 30 years in first fill sherry butt #12431. It was then bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2024.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market, and this release follows the 2018 rejuvenation of the brand, which saw it reimagined as a premium single casks range.

One of 532 bottles. 

Chichibu 2016 Single Bourbon Barrel 7 Year Old #5884 / Cask By Cask No.2

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This whisky was distilled in 2016 and aged in single first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel #5884 for 7 years.

One of 203 bottles.

Chichibu 2016 Single Bourbon Barrel 7 Year Old #5884 / Cask By Cask No.2

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This whisky was distilled in 2016 and aged in single first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel #5884 for 7 years.

One of 203 bottles.

Chichibu 2014 Single Bourbon Cask #3905/ Sweden & Norway

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is one of 185 bottles charged from single Bourbon cask #3905.  Distilled in 2014 and bottled exclusively for Sweden and Norway.

Campbeltown Loch 30 Year Old 

J & A Mitchell are a whisky company with an incredible pedigree. The family firm have been owner-operators of the legendary Springbank distillery since 1837 and are the parent company of Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Wm. Cadenhead. Through these channels alone, their output is nothing short of reverential, and this is before you even consider the casks they sold to independent companies like Samaroli through their R.W. Duthie arm, and to Japan via their Eaglesome company's Kingsbury brands. Many if not all of these are legendary. The company now owns a second distillery in Campbeltown, Glengyle, which is the home of Kilkerran single malt.

This blend contains various Campbeltown single malts from the Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle distilleries.

Chichibu 2014 Single Bourbon Cask #3905/ Sweden & Norway

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This is one of 185 bottles charged from single Bourbon cask #3905.  Distilled in 2014 and bottled exclusively for Sweden and Norway.

Caol Ila 1994 Gordon and MacPhail 30 Year Old Batch #24/229

Caol Ila distillery was built in 1846 by Hector Henderson, who was bought out from the venture a little over 10 year later by Bulloch Lade. The blending firm merged with DCL (now Diageo) in 1927, who still run the distillery today. In 1972 the original site was demolished and replaced by a new one. When distilling resumed in 1974, Caol Ila was the largest producer of single malt on the Isle of Islay. Despite this, due to its importance in popular blends such as Johnnie Walker, its single malt brand disappeared under United Distillers, and it was not until 2002 that it would return, when the 12 year old was revived by Diageo. The Flora & Fauna release was well-regarded in the meantime, but it was independent releases like this that gave the best opportunity to sample this much-loved single malt.

This was distilled in 1994 and aged for 30 years in first fill sherry butt #12431. It was then bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2024.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market, and this release follows the 2018 rejuvenation of the brand, which saw it reimagined as a premium single casks range.

One of 532 bottles. 

Chichibu 2016 Single Virgin Cask #6865 / Whisky Magazine

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This Chichibu was distilled in 2016 and matured in single virgin oak barrel #6865. It was bottled in 2024 exclusively for Whisky Magazine, as part of their Japanese Craft Whisky series.

One of 198 bottles.

Croftengea 1992 SMWS 11 Year Old 122.1

'Marzipan smoke'

Loch Lomond distillery was an innovative project when first conceived, intending to be fully self-reliant in its blending responsibilities by producing a variety of single malt and grain whiskies on the same site. The combination of swan-necked pot stills, Lomond stills and continuous stills, nowadays allow for the production of a staggering 11 distinct spirits. Croftengea is its most heavily peated single malt. Primarily produced as a blending component, very few distillery bottlings have been produced over the years.

This Croftengea was distilled in September 1992 and matured in a single cask for 11 years. It was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in March 2004. This was the first cask of Croftengea that the SMWS had ever bottled.

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.

Chartreuse Voiron Green Label 1980s

Chartreuse was originally created in 1605 by monks using a recipe for an elixir of long life.  It was produced produced between 1904-1989 in Tarragona (Spain) after the Carthusian Monks were exiled from France. In 1989 the distillery in Tarragona closed down and the production of this liquor returned to France. Today the bottles produced in the distillery of Tarragona have become some of the most expensive and sought after liquors in the world. The recipe contains more than 130 different plants, bark, roots, spices and flowers.

This Chartreuse was made in the Voiron production facility in France.

Note: There is no ABV stated on the bottle.

Chichibu 2016 Single Bourbon Barrel 7 Year Old #5884 / Cask By Cask No.2

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This whisky was distilled in 2016 and aged in single first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel #5884 for 7 years.

One of 203 bottles.

Chichibu 2016 Single Bourbon Barrel 7 Year Old #5884 / Cask By Cask No.2

Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. The first Chichibu releases appeared under it in 2011.

This whisky was distilled in 2016 and aged in single first-fill ex-Bourbon barrel #5884 for 7 years.

One of 203 bottles.