February 2015 Auction

Highland Park 50 Year Old

One of the most talked about releases of recent years, this 50 year old is the oldest whisky bottled by Highland Park.

This incredibly rare bottling of Highland Park was bottled from a combination of five refill casks from 1960.  The casks were married together to 'harmonise' their flavours before being bottled, a process Highland Park calls 'cask harmonisation'.

The bottle has been designed by New York based Jeweller Maeve Gillies who grew up in Edinburgh.  The bottle which is created from hand-crafted sterling silver is inspired by the forces of nature and in particular the sea, using her jewellery making expertise the bottle features a metallic 'net' design, a piece of Orkney sandstone carved with the Highland Park logo and a hidden silver replica of the Rose Window from St Magnus Cathedral.  

One of only 275 bottles produced.

Outer packaging is included.

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt The Joker 'Monochrome'

The final bottling in Ichiro's Card Series.

This is one of two Joker's released to complete the 54 bottle series, one in colour and one in Black and White (Monochrome).  This Monochrome Joker is arguably one of the rarest releases from Japan and is a fitting finale for this incredible series of whiskies.

The Monochrome Joker was distilled in 1985 and matured in a hogshead before a second period of maturation in a Mizunara cask, cask number #1024.  This is bottle number 23 of 241.

Bowmore 1964 Single Cask (Bottle number 5 of 99 )

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. 

This lot includes the miniature that originally came along with the product, the key to keep the cabinet locked and the flyer that Oddbins released to promote the Whisky. 

Bottle number 5 of 99 Bottles.

Macallan Sir Peter Blake

This stunning presentation art piece from Macallan is in celebration of Sir Peter Blakes eight decades. This art work and selection of whiskies was released to coincide with Sir Peter Blake's 80th birthday.

Sir Peter Blake has worked with Macallan on numerous projects, including designing the label for the highly collectable Macallan 1926, back in 1986.  He worked alongside designer David Holmes on their earliest advertising campaign, and was the creative mind behind the William and Kate Royal Marriage and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bottlings.

This art piece follows Sir Peter's designs for eight labels representing each of his eight decades.  Working with a team of highly skilled specialists – a fine cabinet maker, a typographer, a writer and art director he inspired and chose several artefacts and backdrops for the art piece to create a true celebration of his life and the Macallan.

The presentation piece consists of a stunning oak box which opens into a display divided into eight sections representing eight decades.  Each section includes one or more artefacts relevant to the decade and a miniature distilled in that decade baring the label designed by Sir Peter.

Further items to note are a book of illustrations, and text about Sir Peter Blake’s life, and the Macallan which is printed on Japanese paper.

Their are eight miniatures in total and they cover every decade from 1930 to 2000. Many (not all) of these vintages are chosen from single malts taken from the Fine & Rare collection through the decades including the oldest from 1937, to the youngest at 2002.  

The artefacts chosen represent the four elements of water, fire, air and earth as a direct connection to our whisky making process.

5cl x 8

Please note damage to the Gnome character in the bottom left section of the piece, as shown in the final image.

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. Includes the original promotional documents released by Oddbins for the product launch. 

This is bottle 219 of 300. 

Macallan 1945 Speymalt Gordon and Macphail 68 Year Old

A spectacular release from Gordon and Macphail, Macallan distilled in 1945 and bottled in 2013 - 68 years old and at this age it takes the mantle for being the oldest bottle of Macallan ever released!

A truly remarkable bottling from G&M presented in an elegant wooden presentation case.

Highland Park 1964 / Orcadian Vintage 

A truly remarkable Highland Park, distilled in 1964 this is the oldest release as part of their 'Orcadian Vintage Series', consisting of the Highland Park 1968 also available in this auction and the 1970.

Released in 2009 this was a vatting of two hogsheads, casks #8737 and #8738 yielded only 290 bottles.  

The presentation as always with Highland Park is spectacular, a hard wood case with a silver Highland Park amulet logo inlay and a stunning black glass bottle.

Macallan 1938

One of two spectacular Macallan's in this months auction, both distilled in 1938 and bottled by Gordon and Macphail at some point during the 1980s.

Please note the smudges on the label, including where the bottle number should be.  We have confirmed the authenticity of these.

Please note there is no box.

Macallan 1938

One of two spectacular Macallan's in this months auction, both distilled in 1938 and bottled by Gordon and Macphail at some point during the 1980s.

Please note the smudges on the label, including where the bottle number should be.  We have confirmed the authenticity of these.

Please note there is no box.

Macallan No.6 

The latest addition to Macallan's 1824 series, the No.6 represents the six pillars of Macallan; 

• Easter Elchies - The Spiritual Home of Macallan
• Curiously small stills
• The finest spirit cut 
• Exceptional oak casks
• Natural colour
• Peerless spirit

This impressive whisky is a labour of love between Macallan and Lalique, producing this stunning decanter and presentation case.  

Balvenie 40 Year Old

A remarkable bottle and presentation, the Balvenie 40 year old is a stunning whisky that has been highly acclaimed around the World.  

Produced in it's seventh generation this 40 year old was a marriage of three American oak casks and three sherry butts.

Macallan 'M'

The final premium release within Macallan's 1824 series of whiskies.  

In true Macallan fashion the M Decanter is incredibly elegant and impressive to look at, without even considering the contents.  The crystal decanter is designed by Fabien Baron a well known French Director and Art Director and created by Lalique.  It is one of the more difficult decanters to produce as it requires a 15 stage finishing process.

The Macallan M is limited to only 1,750 bottles each year and carries Macallan's reputation of exceptional quality whisky proudly.

Please note Russian tax stamp.

Macallan 'M'

The final premium release within Macallan's 1824 series of whiskies.  

In true Macallan fashion the M Decanter is incredibly elegant and impressive to look at, without even considering the contents.  The crystal decanter is designed by Fabien Baron a well known French Director and Art Director and created by Lalique.  It is one of the more difficult decanters to produce as it requires a 15 stage finishing process.

The Macallan M is limited to only 1,750 bottles each year and carries Macallan's reputation of exceptional quality whisky proudly.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9523 / Ace of Clubs​

Part of the legendary card series produced by Ichiro Akuto.  

Distilled at the lost Japanese distillery of Hanyu in 2000 and bottled in 2012 from cask #9523.

This rare Hanyu was initially matured in a traditional hogshead before a second maturation in a Mizunara puncheon.

Bottle number 363 of 503.

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.

Macallan 'M'

The final premium release within Macallan's 1824 series of whiskies.  

In true Macallan fashion the M Decanter is incredibly elegant and impressive to look at, without even considering the contents.  The crystal decanter is designed by Fabien Baron a well known French Director and Art Director and created by Lalique.  It is one of the more difficult decanters to produce as it requires a 15 stage finishing process.

The Macallan M is limited to only 1,750 bottles each year and carries Macallan's reputation of exceptional quality whisky proudly.

Please note Russian Tax seal.

Highland Park 35 Year Old / John Goodwin Retirement 

A very very rare bottling of Highland Park released to commemorate the retirement of the company Chairman John Goodwin.

Distilled in 1962 and bottled in October 1997, the same length of time that John Goodwin served with the business.

Bottle and box are in excellent condition.

Highland Park 1968 / Orcadian Vintage 

Following the release of the 1964 Orcadian Vintage, the 1968 followed suit in November 2009.

This was a vatting of eight hogsheads, which yielded only 1,550 bottles.  

The presentation as always with Highland Park is spectacular, a hard wood case with a silver Highland Park amulet logo inlay and a stunning black glass bottle.

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

The first of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1979 and bottled 22 years later in 2001, bottled at cask strength and limited to 6,000 bottles, this is bottle 1420.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

The bottle is in excellent condition, the front box label has a tiny touch of water staining. 

Talisker 1973 28 Year Old Single Cask Oddbins' Exclusive

At the time of release, the 100 bottles of this were from the oldest casks at Talisker.  Exclusive to Oddbins, this very, very limited release of Talisker sold out within hours and has been one of the rarest Taliskers since. Includes the original leaflet that Oddbins produced to promote the whisky. 

Bottle number 18 of 100, cask number 4633

Karuizawa 1999 Noh Single Cask #869

A rare single cask Karuizawa exclusively bottled for K&L Wines.

This single cask was distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2013 from single sherry butt cask #869.

Limited to 500 bottles.

75cl

Karuizawa 1982 29 Year Old Noh Single Cask #8529

Another new single cask Karuizawa for us, distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2012 with a fantastic label - shame we missed Halloween with this one!

Single bourbon cask #8529 yielded only 411 bottles.

Macallan Royal Marriage 1981

A wonderful addition to any Macallan collection, the Royal Marriage bottling was released in 1981 to celebrate the marriage of The Prince of Wales to  Lady Diana Spencer.

A marriage of casks from 1948 and 1961, the years of the couples' births.

Excellent condition fill level is lower neck.

Karuizawa 1999 Noh Single Cask #869

A rare single cask Karuizawa exclusively bottled for K&L Wines.

This single cask was distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2013 from single sherry butt cask #869.

Limited to 500 bottles.

75cl

Karuizawa 1990 22 Year Old Single Cask #679

A rare single cask Karuizawa bottled in 2012 bottled at cask strength for The Whisky Exchange, from a single first fill sherry butt #679.

Please note the damage to the front of the box, where a label has been removed, Although these were not the original boxes as the boxes were added for the UK market by the Whisky Exchange. 

Hanyu 1988 Full Proof 'Big Butt' Single Cask #9306 Including Picture

A single cask release for Full Proof that come with a great print of the label. 

Bottle number 143 of 200. 

Karuizawa Noh 27 Year Old Multi Vintages Batch #1

La Maison Du Whisky released a number of multi-vintage Karuizawa's, bottled under the Noh release brand.

This is the original multi-vintage Karuizawa from 1981, 1983 and 1984 bottled October 2011.

The whisky used was from Sherry Butts and Bourbon casks from 1981, 1981, 1983 and 1984; cask numbers #6405, #4973, #8184 and #6437.

Port Ellen Elements of Islay Collection (Pe1 / Pe2 /Pe3 /Pe4 /Pe5)

A range of no age statement Port Ellens bottled by Speciality Drinks Ltd in 50cl bottles. 

-Pe1 58.7% bottled in 2009.

-Pe2 59.5% bottled in 2010. 

-Pe3 54.8%, Ex-Bourbon cask bottled in 2010.

-Pe4 58.2% bottled in 2011. 

-Pe5 57.9% bottled in 2011. 

Glenfarclas 1956 Family Cask Autumn 2014 

One of the oldest recent releases in the Family Cask range by Glenfarclas.  This Autumn 2014 released was distilled in 1956 and bottled from a single plain butt #1768 on 9th July 2014.

One of 129 bottles.

Macallan 1970 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old

A stunning example of Macallan 25 year old, distilled in 1970 and bottled 25 years later in 1996. 

Matured exclusively in sherry wood.

Ardbeg 1974 Provenance 26 Year Old (US Import)  75cl / 55.0%

One of the legendary Ardbeg Provenance bottlings, distilled in 1974 and matured for 26 years until being released in early 2000, imported into the US by Brown-Forman, this is the fourth release.

These whiskies are highly acclaimed and desirable, including certificate and tartan insert.

This bottle carries the bottling date of 21st September 2000 and is bottle number 6127 bottled at 55.0%.

Please note the box lid hinges are loose but can be positioned correctly.

Macallan Private Eye 70cl and 5cl

Arguably the most desirable/collectable bottle of Macallan, released in 1996 to mark the 35th Anniversary of Private Eye magazine.

The screen-printed label has been designed by the infamous Gonzo artist and Illustrator of Private Eye magazine Ralph Steadman.

The vatting used in this whisky included one cask from 1961 (#1580) amongst other casks and a total of 5,000 bottles were released.

Bottle 3396 of 5,000.

Includes the very famous miniature version aswell. Please note the fill level in all miniatures, this example has a level just below the neck.