December 2016 Auction

Macallan 1949 Millennium 50 Year Old

An amazing bottle of whisky, released by Macallan to commemorate the turn of the millenium.   This whisky is among the most desirable and sought after whiskies on the market, it represents the most luxiourious of Macallan, not only in presentation and quality, but also in rarity and age.

Distilled on 14th January 1949 and released as a 50 year old presented in an elegant decanter designed by Caithness Glass along with a stopper and an impressive 'fitted' lockable hard wood case.  The copper used for the ingot and neck were retrieved from No.9 spirit still at Macallan distillery.

Please note condition of lot.

Springbank Millennium  Collection including Miniatures 6 x 70cl and 6 x 5cl

An incredible and very rare set of Springbank, bottled for the Millennium.

Each bottles comes with a wooden presentation case and matching miniature.

The range comprises of the following -

25 Year Old 46.7%
30 Year Old 46.7%
35 Year Old 46.7%
40 Year Old 40%
45 Year Old 40.1%
50 Year Old 40.5%

Please note the fill level of some of the miniatures.

Macallan 1940 Fine And Rare 35 Year Old

Distilled in 1940, originally bottled by Gordon and MacPhail in 1975 as a 35 year old, and re-bottled officially by Macallan in 2002.

Legendary spirit which is now part of the Fine and Rare range, the pinnacle of Macallan's excellence. 

A rare opportunity to own a genuinely old Macallan. 

Karuizawa Geisha Collection TWE Single Casks 4 x 70cl / #3555, #8606, #5347 and #8897

This lot comprises of:

Karuizawa 31 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #3555

A 31 year old single sherry cask matured Karuizawa that was one of two Karuizawas released at the 2013 Whisky Show London.

While there was 350 of the Bourbon bottling, this a sherry matured release was much more limited at only 108 bottles.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #8606

A 2013 bottling of Karuizawa bottled exclusively for the Whisky Exchange.  This is one of two bottles release alongside each other at The Whisky Show 2013, the other bottle is from a sherry cask #3555.

Only 350 bottles were yielded from cask #8606.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Single Cask #5347

One of the recent Karuizawa bottlings exclusive to attendees of The Whisky Show, London and carries a stunning depiction of a Geisha, only half though - the other half is found on a sister bottling from the bourbon cask #8897.

Produced from single sherry cask #5347.

Karuizawa 29 Year Old Single Cask #8897

One of the recent Karuizawa bottlings exclusive to attendees of The Whisky Show, London and carries a stunning depiction of a Geisha, only half though - the other half is found on a sister bottling from a sherry cask #5347.

Produced from single bourbon cask #8897.

Please note shipping charge for 4 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Single Cask 35 Year Old / One of 99 Bottles

Released for Oddbins in the year 2000, bottled from single cask 3709, this sherry hogshead cask was from the same batch of casks as the legendary Black Bowmore series. 

Unsurprisingly for such a limited release, this is extremely rare. 

Bottle number 37 of 99 Bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #8354 / Samurai

Karuizawa distillery was the smallest distillery in Japan. The distillery was established in 1955  on the slopes of Mount Asama, an active volcano. Karuizawa was mothballed in 2000 and the remaining stocks were thankfully ‘saved’ by Ichiro Akuto.   

Karuizwa’s style was that of a certain Speyside whisky, they almost exclusively used Golden Promise barley imported from Scotland and primarily matured whisky in sherry casks imported from Spain. The key to Karuizawa’s success was the hidden earthiness and peatiness that gave many of their legendary single cask bottlings it’s unique character.

The water source used in production has flowed through the volcanic lava rock and soil that surround the distillery, giving it a unique mineral quality. This high quality led Karuizawa to be the first whisky exported out of Japan but ultimately led to their downfall, as both Japan and the world were not ready to accept such a high quality spirit which was not produced in Scotland. As a result, the distillery was not financially viable, which resulted in a great loss for whisky drinkers but produced an interesting rarity for whisky collectors.

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 175 bottles.

At only 175 bottles this is by far the rarest of the Samurai range. 

Hibiki 35 Year Old Arita Kutani Decanter 

A very recent release from Hibiki, that only came onto the market on 29th November 2016.

Created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Japanese porcelain production.

The 35 year old blend is presented within a beautifully decorative handmade ceramic decanter and accompanied by a finely crafted wooden box.

One of only 150.

Hibiki 35 Year Old Arita Takumi Decanter 

A very recent release from Hibiki, that only came onto the market on 29th November 2016.

Created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Japanese porcelain production.

The 35 year old blend is presented within a beautifully decorative handmade ceramic decanter and accompanied by a finely crafted wooden box.

One of only 150.

Images and Check - Macallan Fine and Rare Linley Collection 6 x 5cl

A quite magnificent hand-crafted trinket box from quarter cut Burr Oak and English Oak with a raised nickel band and a silver plaque on the lid bearing The Macallan and Linley engraving.

Macallan and the British design company headed by Viscount David Linley have worked in partnership for five years creating a number of beautifully bespoke, hand crafted pieces for The Macallan collectors.

In this lot each box contains 6 x 5cl mini bottles of Fine & Rare vintages, which include:

1947: 15 years old and bottled at 45.4%
1952: 50 years old and bottled at 50.8%
1965: 36 years old and bottled at 56.3%
1969: 32 years old and bottled at 50.6%
1976: 29 years old and bottled at 45.5%
1989: 21 years old and bottled at 55.2%

Box is 95mm x 356mm x 189mm Plus 6x5cl F&R minis

Please note condition of Silver Plaque.

Macallan 40 Year Old 2016 Release 

This most rare of Macallan's came into being as a result of the instinct and foresight shown by master whisky maker Bob Dalgarno.

Back in 2006 he and his team were crafting the annual release of the 30 Year Old  Sherry Oak, which involved combining the finest spirit from 27 specially selected casks into nine 'marrying' casks. 

Bob was inspired to fill a tenth cask, which was laid back down and allowed to continue to mature and develop. Assessed again in 2011 it was left for a further 5 years at which point it was deemed ready.

The result, an incredible 40 Year Old, only the second ever non-vintage Macallan released and limited to 500 bottles! Stunning!

Bottle #57 of 500

Macallan 1938

A spectacular Macallan distilled in 1938 and bottled by Gordon and Macphail at some point during the 1980s.

This was released for the UK. 

Please note the smudges on the label and common issue with this release. 

Bottle number 581. 

Macallan 1959 Presentation Gift Pack Including 2 Bottles​

Distilled in 1959, both these very old bottlings of Macallan were bottled by Gordon and MacPhail at 80 proof.

Please note damage inside box and fill levels.

Italian Imports.

The difference in colour is purely down to one bottle being behind the display box and one not.

You will be charged for 2 bottles for shipping.

Macallan 1946 Select Reserve 52 Year Old

A truly stunning bottle of Macallan distilled in 1946 and matured for over half a century until bottling, this is bottle number 1349. 

This 52 year old whisky is presented in an elegant lockable hard wood case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Laphroaig 1960 Vintage Reserve 40 Year Old

A vintage release of Laphroaig distilled in 1960 and bottled as a 40 year old. Laphroaig this age is incredibly rare!

Distilled in 1960 and presented with a certificate from distillery manager Iain Henderson, the casks were matured for 40 years in warehouse #1. This is the first release from Oddbins and the far more limited of the two. 

This is bottle 132 of 300. 

Please note general condition. 

Karuizawa 1969 Single Cask 42 Year Old #8183

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim, this one perhaps more than most!

It is amazing that whiskies such as this have been bottled in recent years given how few casks of Karuizawa are remaining. There are now not many as old as this and we doubt there will be many (if any at all) that will match this age in the future.

Distilled in December 1969 and bottled 42 years later in August 2012, this is legendary cask #8183  which oddly is a 400 litre ex-bourbon cask.

Yamazaki 1984

Matured in native Japanese 'Mizunara' oak casks, as well as American and European. This whisky was named World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2011 World Whisky Awards.

Bottle number 1321.

Nikka 40 Year Old

This is Nikka's oldest stock including 1945 Yoichi and 1969 Miyagikyo. With over 65% malt content this is Nikka's ultimate premium product. 

Presented in a crafted wooden box with a branded glass. 

One of only 700 bottles. 

Laphroaig 40 Year Old

Distilled in 1960, this 40 year old was the official release following the 1960 vintage 40 year old at Oddbins.

The casks were matured in Warehouse #1 for 40 years, prior to bottling on 29th May 2001.  

A mere 3,300 bottles of this Laphroaig 40 year old were made available and it remains the oldest official release of Laphroaig to date.

This is bottle number 0937.

Glenfarclas 50 Year Old Crystal Decanter

Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. 

One of 87 produced for the retailer.

Laphroaig 40 Year Old

Distilled in 1960, this 40 year old was the official release following the 1960 vintage 40 year old at Oddbins.

The casks were matured in Warehouse #1 for 40 years, prior to bottling on 29th May 2001.  A mere 3,300 bottles of this Laphroaig 40 year old were made available and it remains the oldest official release of Laphroaig to date.

This is bottle number 0305.

Please note the condition of this lot.

Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac Tres Vieille 1950s

Remy Martin is perhaps the most well known of all Cognac producers and has established a reputation for quality that very few others can relate to.

This is a spectacular 1950s example of the Louis XIII Tres Vieille Cognac Baccarat decanter which holds Grande Champagne cognac aged between 40 and 100 years.

Please note that this item is very old and hence very fragile. Lot is sold as photographed. 

Karuizawa 1972 39 Year Old Single Cask #7038

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

Another cracking single cask from Karuizawa, distilled in 1972 and bottled 39 years later on the 4th October 2011. 

523 bottles were released.

Note there is no box.

Karuizawa 1980 Single Cask #8317 / Only 89 Bottles

One of the three bottles which make up the iconic 1980/1981/1982 Samurai Set.

Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015 after maturing in a single Bourbon Cask. Cask #8317

One of only 89 bottles.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #4943

Karuizawa distilled in 1981 and bottled solely for The Whisky Show..  

As usual with Karuizawa sherry matured and carrying a high abv.

Karuizawa 1977 32 Year Old Single Cask #4592

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

A fantastic and very limited Noh bottling of Karuizawa, distilled in 1972 and bottled 32 years later from single sherry butt #4592 in 2010.

190 bottles were released.

Please note there is no box

Dalmore 35 Year Old

Aged in 3 different types of cask, Bourbon barrel, a Matusalem Sherry butt and a colheita Port pipe, this 35 Year Old Dalmore is presented in a Baccarat Crystal Decanter.

Only 1000 bottles released.

Karuizawa 1976 Single Cask #7818

A stunning vintage Karuizawa distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2010 from a single sherry butt #7818.

Please note the condition of the box. 

Karuizawa 1979 35 Year Old Single Cask #8187

Matured in an ex-bourbon cask for 35 years this single cask #8187 Karuizawa was bottled in July 2014 for La Maison Du Whisky.

Only 350 were released.

Macallan 1962 / The Macallan Decanter 25 Year Old

A beautifully presented Macallan Decanter, distilled in 1962 and bottled at 25 years old.

The hand blown English crystal decanter is often referred to as the 'Tudor Decanter'.  The writing on the decanter is difficult to make out on the images but carries a large 'M'.

Includes a well designed branded Macallan box and crystal stopper, on which the vintage 1962 is displayed.

Please note condition of box.

Karuizawa 1976 Noh Single Cask 32 Year Old  #6719​

A stunning vintage Karuizawa distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2009 from a single sherry butt #6719

1 of 486 bottles

Please note the condition of the box. 

Macallan 1959 (26 2/3rds fl oz)

Distilled in 1959 this very old bottling of Macallan was bottled by Gordon and Macphail at 100 proof.

Note condition of lot.