July 2019 Auction

Macallan 52 Year Old 2018 Release

2018 was a celebratory year for Macallan, with the opening of their new distillery in June that year. Befitting the occasion, the distillery released a number of impressively aged single malts, beginning with their second bottling of a 50 year old, followed by this even rarer release, the 52 year old.

A perfect time capsule, this was distilled in the year that the old Macallan increased its production capacity with the introduction of six new stills, and bottled when the distillery was once again undergoing a huge forward-looking expansion.

The wood and spirit have worked together in perfect harmony for over half a century, with maturation taking place in a first-fill European oak sherry seasoned cask, sourced from Jerez De La Frontera. 

Released in 2018, this is one of just 250 bottles. 

Yamazaki 35 Year Old

This very rare 35 year old whisky was distilled between 1966 and 1970 before being bottled in 2006. The spirit was matured in special 90 litre Spanish second fill sherry casks.

This is one of the oldest expressions of Yamazaki ever bottled, and is presented in a stunning hard wooden case.

The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate and with it being an area where three rivers converge. The distillery was established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the father of Japanese whisky. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Distilled way back in 1961, this 50 year old is the oldest publicly available Bowmore ever bottled (there are a few bottles of 54 year old available to procure from the distillery). The spirit was distilled in December of that year and laid down to rest for half a century in two ex-bourbon hogsheads. The \"angel's share\" in these casks left only enough for a limited 200 bottles.

The presentation of this 50 year old celebrates more than just the craftsmanship of whisky. The bottle was hand-blown and engraved by two of Scotland's foremost glass artists, Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns. The wooden cabinet and stand were carved and carpented by acclaimed woodsmith Peter Toaig, who used highly-prized burr elm grown in the Scottish Highlands. Finally, the presentation is completed with a solid silver neck collar and 50-year perpetual calendar, allowing you to \"look into the future\" as you savour the past, both fashioned by sixth generation silversmiths, Thomas Fattorini.

This is bottle 156 of 200. 

Midleton Very Rare Collection x 34

This famous blend of whiskies was initially produced by Jameson's Master Distiller, Barry Crockett, and has been released in very limited quantities on an annual basis since 1984.

The whiskey is aged somewhere between 12 and 20 years and matured solely in Bourbon casks. Each bottle is individually numbered and carries the signature of the Master Distiller.

This lot is a complete set of the 1984, through 2017 releases. 

Shipping will be charged at 34 bottles.

Macallan 1968 Fine and Rare 34 Year Old

A stunning bottling of Macallan which was distilled in 1968. This is part of the Fine and rare vintages series.

Aged in Hogshead #2875 and bottled in 2002 at a cask strength after 34 years.

One of just 109 bottles.

Karuizawa 1965 Single Sherry Cask 50 Year Old #2372​ 

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

A special release from La Maison Du Whisky, this vintage Karuizawa was distilled in 1965 and matured in a sherry cask. 

This is bottle number 114 of 300.

Karuizawa 1965 Single Bourbon Cask 50 Year Old #8636 

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

A brand new release from La Maison Du Whisky. A 1965 vintage Karuizawa matured in a bourbon cask. 

This is bottle number 46 of 199 bottles.

Macallan 1966 Fine and Rare 35 Year Old

A stunning bottling of Macallan which was distilled in 1966.

Aged in sherry cask #7878 and bottled in 2002 at cask strength after 35 years.

One of just 135 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 42 Year Old

Arguably the most famous of all Bowmore's, one of the most collectible and most memorable whiskies on the market.  The Black Bowmore is an icon of whisky collecting, whisky drinking and whisky investing!

This is the first of the more recent releases from this famous Bowmore vintage, officially released in 2007 at 42 years of age in an impressive wooden presentation case.

The Black Bowmore was followed by the slightly older, Gold and White Bowmore.

Bottle number 313 of only 827 produced.

Dalmore 1926 50 Year Old Decanter

A spectacular Dalmore distilled all the way back in 1926 and matured for 50 years before being bottled at cask strength. 

Brora 1972 Cask Strength 40 Year Old

At time of launch this was both the most expensive whisky ever released by Diageo and the oldest Brora ever made.

Presented in a stunning engraved glass decanter and wooden display case. This is bottle number 62 of 160 produced.

Distilled in 1972 this is a vintage mate to some of the most sought after and legendary Brora ever produced, including the rare malts and the slightly more recent 44 year old.

Highland Park 50 Year Old 2018 Release 75cl / US Import

An absolutely stunning release from Orkney's legendary Highland Park distillery. 

The liquid is a vatting of just two Spanish oak, sherry seasoned, hogshead casks which were filled in 1964. The casks had lay undisturbed at the back of warehouse number 7 at the Highland Park distillery until 2008 when they were first sampled and considered to be of astonishing quality. Due to the incredible quality of the liquid, it was decided to transport the casks separately to Highland Parks warehouse in Glasgow where they were married. When they brought the two casks together a small amount of the original Highland Park 50 Year Old released in 2010 was added to the vatting. The liquid was then bottled in 2018.

The whisky comes in an oak box made by Scottish designer and master craftsman John Galvin, which contains a bottle of Highland Park 50 Year Old, a striking crystal decanter encased in polished silver-plated metal and a leather book about the whisky’s development. 

The bottle number of this particular lot has been obscured at the request of the seller. This will be made available to the buyer

Ardbeg 1967 Kingsbury 29 Year Old #922

This is an incredible bottle of old sherry casked Ardbeg, bottled by Kingsbury's of Japan.

Kingsbury are Japan's most sought after independent bottler. They were founded in 1989 by Eaglesome, the high-end deli in Campbeltown that was purchased by J & A Mitchell & Co of Springbank distillery, and turned into one of the region's finest whisky merchants. They initially bottled Kingsbury's exclusively for the Japanese market, before the label was acquired by native firm, the Japanese Import System. They have released a number of some of the most collectible whiskies, including a Bowmore 1966, and two dark sherry casked Ardbeg, this is one of them.

Indeed, this particular cask is the highest rated Ardbeg on Serge Valentin's WhiskyFun.com, receiving a staggering score of 97 points. He had this to say, \"…It’s got everything.\"

Distilled on 8th March 1967 and matured in single sherry cask #922 until June 1996. 

Macallan 1951

Technically not part of the series, however this is certainly a fine and rare Macallan!

Distilled in 1951 and bottled from two sherry casks, #1541 and #1542

One of only 632 bottles.

Macallan 1961

Technically not part of the series, however this is certainly a fine and rare Macallan!

Distilled in 1961 and bottled from two sherry hogshead casks #1127 and #1581.

One of only 379 bottles.

Bowmore 1955 40 Year Old

A very old Bowmore put into a bourbon hogshead cask on the 22nd of November 1955, then 20 years later it was transferred into a sherry cask prior to being bottled in 1995. 

The glass decanter was hand crafted by the artists of Caithness Glass, Scotland, each being individually numbered. The presentation case has been hand made from oak by the Master Cabinet Makers of Charles Kirkby & Sons, England. 

As a combination this is an impressive liquid presented in the most elegant of styles. 

The certificate states that this is bottle number 305 of only 306. However, the engraving on the bottom of the bottle states that it is number 92. 

Includes glass stopper, certificate of authenticity and padlock with key. 

Karuizawa 38 Year Old Sherry Cask #4348 / Pearl Geisha

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This is the fifth release in the Geisha series, and was available exclusively to clients of FINE+RARE. 

Matured for 38 years, this is one of 172 bottles filled from sherry cask #4348.

Karuizawa 38 Year Old Sherry Cask #4348 / Pearl Geisha

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This is the fifth release in the Geisha series, and was available exclusively to clients of FINE+RARE. 

Matured for 38 years, this is one of 172 bottles filled from sherry cask #4348.

The bottle number of this particular lot has been obscured at the request of the seller. This will be made available to the buyer.

Bowmore 1964 White Bowmore 43 Year Old

The second in this famous series, the White Bowmore was matured exclusively in Bourbon casks to create a comparison to the more famous Oloroso Sherry casked Black Bowmore.

Bottled at 42.8%

Bottle 424 of 732.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore / Final Edition

An icon of the whisky world, it's hard to fathom where whisky collecting would be today without the Black Bowmore. 

Distilled in 1964 and matured within Oloroso sherry casks before bottling in 1995. This is the last of three Black Bowmore released in the mid-nineties. 

This is an over-numbered bottle, labelled 1867 of 1812.

Karuizawa 31 Year Old Sherry Cask / Murasaki Geisha

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

One of two highly sought after 'Murasaki Geisha' released in 2018 by Elixir distillers. This particular single cask has been matured for over 31 years in a single sherry cask.

Bottle number 45 of only 60.

Balvenie 1951 Vintage Cask

The vintage cask range of whiskies from Balvenie are a fantastic insight into single casks released from this popular Speysider.

Distilled in 14th June 1951 and bottled on 7th November 1996 this is a specially selected single cask Balvenie, from cask #1236.

Bottled at cask strength with an impressive ABV for a 45 year old Scotch whisky.

Bottle number 6 of only 90.

Please note that the bottle number on the bottle and tube do not match.

Bowmore 1964 Gold Bowmore 44 Year Old

Bottled in 2009 as the third and final instalment in this famous series, the Gold Bowmore was matured in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, to provide a comparison to the more famous Oloroso casks.

Bottled at 42.4%.

Bottle number 204 of 701. 

Bowmore 1964 Gold Bowmore 44 Year Old

Bottled in 2009, the third and final in this famous series, the Gold Bowmore was matured in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, to provide a comparison to the more famous Oloroso casks.

Bottled at 42.4%.

Bottle number 321 of 701.

Tormore 1966 Samaroli Sherry Wood / Silver Cap

An incredible example of Speyside single malt from a not-often bottled distillery at the time. This is a 1966 vintage Tormore, bottled for Silvano Smaroli by longtime partners, R.W. Duthie of Aberdeen in 1982.

Samaroli is 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!), he is regarded by many as a visionary. Many of his bottles now occupy deserved sports on the pantheon of whisky greats.

This is part of the three bottle, much sought after Silver Cap series that also includes a 27 year old Glen Grant and a release many consider the finest whisky ever committed to bottle, the 1967 Laphroaig.

All three bottles in the series are sherry wood matured. Whisky author and owner of Singapore's Auld Alliance bar, Emmanual Dron, describes this as \"a sherry moster!\", while Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun scored in 95 points.

Bottle number 429.

Scapa 1958 Samaroli 52% / Handwritten Labels

In the words of Emmanuel Dron, owner of the Auld Alliance - \"The 1958 Samaroli is probably the best Scapa ever bottled.\"  It's certainly one of the oldest vintages known to exist. 

Bottled in 1985, two versions were produced, one at 52% and one at 46%. Both are exceptionally hard to find. This is the first time we have had the pleasure of auctioning a bottle of the 52%.

It is part of the Handwritten Labels series. While Samaroli was famed for his keen eye for aesthetic in designing his own labels, this series simply features his own elegant calligraphy reproduced on them.

Bottle number 43.

Karuizawa 33 Year Old Sherry Cask #3579 / Golden Geisha

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

The 2 highly sought after Golden Geisha releases were available to purchase by winners of a raffle hosted by The Whisky Exchange.

Aged for 33 years in sherry cask #3579, this bottle is number 85 of 129.

Bottled at cask strength.

Ardbeg 1974 Cadenhead's 18 Year Old / 150th Anniversary

A rare 1970s vintage Ardbeg, bottled by Scotland's oldest indpendent bottler, Cadenhead's.

This is part of the Authentic Collection, was launched by Cadenhead's in 1991, and included whiskies from several rare closed Scottish and Irish distilleries, bottled for the company's 150th anniversary. It would later go on to become a mainstay of their portfolio, as the cask strength alternative to the Original Collection, which replaced their famous \"dumpy\" bottlings in the early 1990s. The Authentic Collection is now the flagship Cadenhead's brand, and one of the most recognisable independent labels on the market.

This 18 year old is one of the original 150th anniversary releases.

This is a regarded as a spectacular Ardbeg, receiving 96 points of Serge Valentin's WhiskyFun.

Hanyu 1988 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9003 / 2nd King of Diamonds​

Since its stills were turned off in 2000, Hanyu has become one of Japan's most sought after single malts. An economic recession at the turn of the millennium forced the distillery to shut its doors, and the remaining casks of its unblended whisky stock were purchased by Venture Whisky, a firm established by the Hanyu distillery founder's grandson, Ichiro Akuto, in 2004. In 2005 he bottled his first single casks under the Ichiro's Malt label. He later cemented his legacy with the opening of the acclaimed Chichibu distillery, but his finest achievement will surely always be considered to be the Hanyu 'Card' series. The bottles are a collection of 58 releases, each displaying one of 52 playing cards on the label, two jokers, and a second batch of follow up releases to the original 2005 Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, King of Diamonds, and Jack of Clubs bottlings. Each unique in its own right, every one of these have become a true collector's piece and an important moment in the history Japanese whisky.

This is the second King of Diamonds release, bottled in 2006. It was distilled in 1988 and matured in a hogshead prior to being finished in an American oak Sherry butt. 

Bottle number 226 of 555. 

Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherriff's 1960s

An incredibly rare Bowmore, presented in a wonderful pear shaped glass bottle. Likely released in the 1960s, with a similar capsule to that found on the 7 year old Sherriff's bottling.

The liquid inside has been bottled at 18 years of age, making it likely to have been distilled in the late 1940s when the distillery was owned by J.B. Sherriff & Co.

Macallan 1940 Handwritten Label / German Exclusive

A stunning and incredibly rare presentation of wartime-distilled Macallan, produced all the way in 1940.

This is part off a series of vintage releases all with handwritten labels, that includes a 1938, 1950, 1957 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada. They were all bottled between 1980 and 1983.

The 1940 vintage was exclusive to the German market.

Bottle number 421.

Macallan 1940 Handwritten Label / German Exclusive

A stunning and incredibly rare presentation of wartime-distilled Macallan, produced all the way in 1940.

This is part off a series of vintage releases all with handwritten labels, that includes a 1938, 1950, 1957 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada. They were all bottled between 1980 and 1983.

The 1940 vintage was exclusive to the German market.

Bottle number 421.