March 2019 Auction

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. 

Dalmore 1967 Sirius 44 Year Old

A single cask from Dalmore and bottled by Sirius Whisky Purvey.

Distilled in 1967 and then filled into cask number #2055 on February 24th. 

The liquid was then bottled 44 years later and comes in at a hefty 64.3%. Only 89 have been produced. 

The bottle is also very elegantly cased in a swing style display stand. 

Dalmore 1966 40 Year Old

The oldest release within Dalmore's Rare and Prestigious range, this 40 year old is matured in the classic Dalmore combination of American oak and Gonzalez Byass sherry casks.

Distilled on 21st March 1966, this is one of only 1,000 bottles produced.

Dalmore 40 Year Old

The oldest release within Dalmore's Rare and Prestigious range, this 40 year old is matured in the classic Dalmore combination of American oak and Gonzalez Byass sherry casks.

Distilled on 21st March 1966, this is one of only 1,000 bottles produced.

Very Xtra Old Fitzgerald 1955 Bonded 10 Year Old 100 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in 1955 and bottled in 1965.

Distilled at Stitzel-Weller distillery when it was under the management of the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle and bottled in the year of his death by his son, Julian II who had taken over the year prior.

These pure Van Winkle era Stitzel-Weller bottlings are rare gems and incredibly sought after.

Presented in a lockable fel-lined box with two glasses.

Dalmore 50 Year Old Decanter 10cl

A very interesting bottle, the liquid has a long and complex history. The casks used combine vintages from 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939. A brief summary of these casks is below:

Cask one: Distilled in June 1868 and transferred into sherry wood in August 1880 and again in October 1891.

Cask two: Distilled February 1878 then re-racked into sherry wood in April 1890 and again in April 1908.

Cask three: Distilled March 1922.

These three casks were then “racked” – one in May 1926, one in July 1926  and one in August 1926. Then in September 1977 all 3 were then re-racked to a single, unique butt and bottled in February 1978.

Two further casks were filled in 1939 and bottled at 52 years of age in October 1991.

All the above whiskies were then blended under the master craftsmanship of Richard Paterson to create this stunning 50 Year Old. 

Van Winkle 1985 Family Reserve Rye / Un-Chillfiltered European Exclusive

Blink and you might miss it, but this is not the standard 13 year old Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye that at first glance it may appear. Labelled simply as the 1985 vintage, this was released in 2001 when the Family Reserve was actually 15 years old. Although it is commonly known as a 13 year old, the rye actually continued to age in cask until 2004 when it was eventually tanked at Buffalo Trace. 

The Family Reserve Rye is presumed to have been distilled at Medley in Owensboro, with Cream of Kentucky rye from Bernheim blended through it after it was tanked in 2004. More recent bottlings are also expected to contain whiskey distilled at Buffalo Trace. This however is the unblended Medley liquid.

Bottled by Julian Van Winkle III at Old Commonwealth distillery in Lawrenceburg, he has personally confirmed that this un-chillfiltered version was an experiment for the European market, at the request of a French customer. Un-chillfiltering is unheard of with bourbon in the US, but is the preference here. Van Winkle also noted that he believes this release does have some flavour lost in the regular chillfiltered product.

Bottled at the higher strength of 100 proof, this is a particularly rare gem.

Dalmore 1974 Matusalem Sherry Finesse

You can always expect Dalmore to create impressive packaging. This addition to Dalmore's Rare and Prestigious series appears in a leather bound case. The whisky was distilled on the 15th April 1974 and bottled in 2008 matured exclusively in a Matusalem sherry butts from Jerez De La Frontera.

Bottle number 493 of 948.

Van Winkle 1985 Family Reserve Rye / Un-Chillfiltered European Exclusive

Blink and you might miss it, but this is not the standard 13 year old Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye that at first glance it may appear. Labelled simply as the 1985 vintage, this was released in 2001 when the Family Reserve was actually 15 years old. Although it is commonly known as a 13 year old, the rye actually continued to age in cask until 2004 when it was eventually tanked at Buffalo Trace. 

The Family Reserve Rye is presumed to have been distilled at Medley in Owensboro, with Cream of Kentucky rye from Bernheim blended through it after it was tanked in 2004. More recent bottlings are also expected to contain whiskey distilled at Buffalo Trace. This however is the unblended Medley liquid.

Bottled by Julian Van Winkle III at Old Commonwealth distillery in Lawrenceburg, he has personally confirmed that this un-chillfiltered version was an experiment for the European market, at the request of a French customer. Un-chillfiltering is unheard of with bourbon in the US, but is the preference here. Van Winkle also noted that he believes this release does have some flavour lost in the regular chillfiltered product.

Bottled at the higher strength of 100 proof, this is a particularly rare gem.

Bottle number A2580. 

Van Winkle 13 Year Old Family Reserve Rye / 1999 Release

As sought after as the other members of this 'family'.

This is bottle A1857, and was released in 1999 when the whiskey was actually now 14 years old, despite the label. The Van Winkle Family reserve rye actually continued to age in cask until 2004 when it was eventually vatted. They are all labelled as 13 years old regardless.

The Family Reserve Rye is presumed to have been distilled at Medley in Owensboro, with Cream of Kentucky rye from Bernheim blended through it after it was tanked in 2004. As of 2018, the rye batches have been distilled and bottled at Buffalo Trace.

Bottled at the Old Commonwealth distillery in Lawrenceburg by Julian Van Winkle III. 

Dalmore 1960 25 Year Old

A very very rare bottling of Dalmore, distilled \"prior to\" 1960 and aged for 25 years before bottling. The label features the prominent branding of owners, Whyte & Mackay.

Limited edition bottle number 98, presented in a classic wooden box - what a wonderful contrast to recent well aged Dalmore.

Very Very Old Fitzgerald 1955 Bonded 12 Year Old 86 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in the Spring of 1955 and bottled in 1967.

Distilled at the Stitzel-Weller distillery while it was still being run by the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, and bottled at the distillery by his son, Julian II, who assumed control following his father's death in 1965.

This is an export Bottled in Bond bourbon, allowing it to be filled at a lower 86 US proof, rather than the domestic requirement of 100 proof set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

Very Old Fitzgerald 1951 Bonded 8 Year Old / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in the Spring of 1951 and bottled in 1959.

Distilled at the Stitzel-Weller distillery while it was still being run by the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, and bottled at the distillery by his son, Julian II, who assumed control following his father's death in 1965.

Bottled in bond.

Van Winkle 13 Year Old Family Reserve Rye / 2010 Release

As sought after as the other members of this 'family'.

This is bottle B544, and was released in 2010 when the whiskey was actually now 19 years old, despite the label. The Van Winkle Family Reserve rye actually continued to age in cask until 2004 when it was eventually tanked at Buffalo Trace. They are all labelled as 13 years old regardless.

The Family Reserve Rye is presumed to have been distilled at Medley in Owensboro, with Cream of Kentucky rye from Bernheim blended through it after it was tanked in 2004. The rye was the last of the remaining reserves that Julian Van Winkle III warehoused at Buffalo Trace by the time it finally ran out in 2016. A new batch, distilled at Buffalo Trace was first bottled in 2018.

Serial number is M2731018:42

Vintage Rye 23 Year Old

Vintage Rye is a boutique brand owned by Allied Lomar in California, who's other products include Rare Perfection, Wattie Boone and Very Olde St Nick. They have been sourcing whiskey and bottling it for several decades, and they are instantly recognisable from their uniform use of the same cursive script-style typeface. Allied Lomar president, Marci Palatella, was Julian Van Winkle III's agent in the Japanese market for many years, and their early bottlings were contracted to him at his Old Commonwealth distillery.

The Van Winkle partnership with the Sazerac company in the early 2000's ended this agreement however, with the production of bottles such as this moved to Willett distillery, where they were bottled by its owners, Evan Kulsveen's Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. The stills at Willett were silent at this point and most of the well-aged rye in the KBD warehouses was the unused Cream of Kentucky distilled by Schenley at Bernheim. This is the same rye that is a constituent in some of the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve and was bottled as early versions of the Sazerac 18 year old at Buffalo Trace.

Allied Lomar opened their own Preservation distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky in 2018.

Vintage Rye 21 Year Old

Vintage Rye is a boutique brand owned by Allied Lomar in California, who's other products include Rare Perfection, Wattie Boone and Very Olde St Nick. They have been sourcing whiskey and bottling it for several decades, and they are instantly recognisable from their uniform use of the same cursive script-style typeface. Allied Lomar president, Marci Palatella, was Julian Van Winkle III's agent in the Japanese market for many years, and their early bottlings were contracted to him at his Old Commonwealth distillery.

The Van Winkle partnership with the Sazerac company in the early 2000's ended this agreement however, with the production of bottles such as this moved to Willett distillery, where they were bottled by its owners, Evan Kulsveen's Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. The stills at Willett were silent at this point and most of the well-aged rye in the KBD warehouses was the unused Cream of Kentucky distilled by Schenley at Bernheim. This is the same rye that is a constituent in some of the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve and was bottled as early versions of the Sazerac 18 year old at Buffalo Trace.

Allied Lomar opened their own Preservation distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky in 2018.

David Nicholson 1966 '1843' Brand Bonded 7 Year Old / Stitzel-Weller

A fantastic 1970s example of this 7 year old straight bourbon, rarely seen outside of America.

Distilled in 1966 at Stitzel-Weller distillery, when it was still under the ownership of the Van Winkle family. The legendary 'Pappy' had died the year before, having handed the reigns to his son, Julian II, in 1964. It was bottled in 1973 by new Stizel-Weller owners Somset Imports, to whom Julian had been forced to sell the distillery the year before. These Van Winkle distilled Stitzel-Weller bourbons are true collector's pieces.

This example was bottled for the Peter Hauptmann Co. in St Louis, Missouri.

Bottled in bond at the legally required 100 US proof.

Dalmore 25 Year Old / Distillery Exclusive

A strikingly impressive bottling of Dalmore, initially matured in a bourbon barrel before being transferred into 15 year old Gonzalez Byass Lepanto brandy barriques, and finally 'finessed' in a 20 year old Tawny Port pipe. 

One of 100 bottles available exclusively at the distillery. 

Very Very Old Fitzgerald 1957 Bonded 12 Year Old 86 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in 1957.

Distilled at the Stitzel-Weller distillery while it was still being run by the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, and bottled at the distillery by his son, Julian II in 1970, two years before he was forced to sell to Somerset Imports, with his family departing the business.

These pure Van Winkle era Stitzel-Weller bottlings are rare gems and incredibly sought after, with the \"A Collector's Item\" shoulder label continuing to prove a remarkable piece of foresight.

This is an export Bottled in Bond bourbon, allowing it to be filled at a lower 86 US proof, rather than the domestic requirement of 100 proof set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

Very Very Old Fitzgerald 12 Year Old Bonded 100 Proof 1980s / Stitzel-Weller

An old bottling of the 12 year old Very Very Old Fitzgerald for the Italian market.

Bottled around 1987 at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, at this point operated by United Distillers (now Diageo) and still trading under the name Old Fitzgerald distillery, which the previous owners, Somerset Imports, had changed it to.

The distillery was closed down five years later, making the \"A Collector's Item\" shoulder label, that was formerly present here, a particularly astute proclamation.

Bottled in bond at the requisite 100 US proof.

Dalmore 30 Year Old Stillman's Dram 75cl / US Import

An early 1990s bottling of Dalmore, aged for an impressive 30 years.

Bottled within Whyte and Mackay's long gone Stillman's series of whiskies.

Imported to the US market by Munson Shaw, Il.

Very Xtra Old Fitzgerald 1958 Bonded 10 Year Old 90 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in 1958 and bottled in 1969 at 10 years old.

Distilled at the Stitzel-Weller distillery while it was still being run by the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, and bottled at the distillery a few years after his death by his son, Julian II.

This is an export Bottled in Bond bourbon, allowing it to be filled at a lower 90 US proof, rather than the domestic requirement of 100 proof set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

D&C import for the Italian market.

Dufftown 45 Year Old 1970s

A spectacularly old bottling of Dufftown single malt from the House of Bell's.

This was bottled for the Italian market at some point in the 1970s, meaning this will contain some spectacularly old vintages.

Dufftown 40 Year Old 1960s

A spectacularly old bottling of Dufftown single malt from the House of Bell's.

This was bottled for the Italian market at some point in the 1960s, meaning this will contain some spectacularly old vintages.

Dallas Dhu 1962 Cadenhead's 26 Year Old

An independent bottling from closed Speyside distillery, Dallas Dhu.

Distilled in December 1962 and bottled June 1989.

Cadenhead's are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. All of these were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label, with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

Dunville's VR Old Irish Whisky circa 1910/1920s 

A fantastic example of Dunville's VR Old Irish Whisky, produced at the distillery in Belfast. 

A gold medal winner at the 1900 Paris Exhibition, the company went into liquidation in 1936 following the death of the chairman and the last Dunville heir.

Unlike other Irish distillers of this era, the company was actually quite profitable when it went into liquidation. 

No capacity or strength stated. 

This lot includes original wrapping, which is torn, and straw.

Dailuaine 1975 Samaroli & Moon Import / Dreams

Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

The Dreams series was a 1999 collaborative effort between longtime friends Mongiardino and Samaroli. The unusually labelled series feature artworks designed by Nadia Pini and Hans Piu, and all bear Silvano Samaroli's signature printed on the capsule.

This Dailuaine was distilled in 1975 and is bottle number 308 of 594. 

Very Old Fitzgerald 1962 Bonded 8 Year Old 90 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in 1962 and bottled in 1970.

Distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery while it was under the management of Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, and bottled a few years after his death by his son, Julian II.

Stitzel-Weller was eventually sold in 1972, with the Van Winkle family departing the business in the process. These bottles from their time at the helm have become increasingly sought after.

This is an export Bottled in Bond bourbon, allowing it to be filled at a lower 90 US proof, rather than the domestic requirement of 100 proof set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

D&C import for the Italian market.

Dalmore 27 Year Old That Boutique-y Whisky Company Batch #1 / One of only 32

During the first world war, Dalmore distillery was one of two locations used by the US Navy to assemble their deep sea mines! The label on this bottle is a nod to this fascinating history.

This 27 year old is the first Dalmore release from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

Bottle number 5 of 32.

Dunglass 1967 Dun Eideann 22 Year Old

A very rare bottling of Dunglass, an experimental whisky produced at Littlemill using peated malt.

This was distilled in April 1967 and bottled by Dun Eideann as a 22 year old.

Dun Eideann is an independent whisky label owned by Italian importers, Donato. Donato were official importers for Macallan and Gordon & MacPhail in the the 1970s, and also produce a blended Scotch known as The Doborn.

This was bottled for Donato b Signatory Vintage from casks #1893-1896.

Bottle 57.

Dallas Dhu 1962 Cadenhead's 21 Year Old

An independent bottling from closed Speyside distillery, Dallas Dhu.

Distilled in December 1962 and bottled July 1984.

Cadenhead's are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. All of these were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label, with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

Dailuaine 1962 Cadenhead's 27 Year Old

Distilled in November 1962 and then bottled in December 1989, this is a 27 year old Dailuaine.

Bottled by Cadenhead's as part of their iconic 'dumpy' series.