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. 

Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli 15 Year Old Sherry Wood / Silver Cap

Meetings between the Islay distilleries and the legendary Italian bottler, Silvano Samaroli, have produced an absolutely stellar selection of whisky over the years. No star in this constellation of greats shines quite as brightly however, as the Laphroaig 1967 sherry wood. Revered by whisky connoisseurs the world over, this is generally regarded as the best whisky ever committed to bottle. The bottle is part of the sought after Silver Cap series, which includes another spectacular sherry cask from Tormore. This is also the first appearance of the label used by Samaroli for his Distillery Drawing\" series of Laphroaig releases.

This periodically trades the pole position in WhiskyBase.com's Top 1000 Whiskies of All Time with Samaroli's other Islay epic, the Bowmore 1966 Bouquet. Both of these whiskies are rare gems. Open bottles of both at Singapore's the Auld Alliance Bar in 2016 drew visitors from all over the world for a rare opportunity to sample the liquid gold contained within them. One such lucky individual is Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com. His seasoned taste buds were treated to a dram of the Laphroaig at the Lindores Festival in Belgium in 2007, prompting him to award it an absolutely staggering 98 points. Not normally lost for words, all he managed on the subject was: 

\"Nose: even more of everything plus a fantabulously chocolaty and smoky sherry. I’m sorry, the rest will be censored by the anti-maltoporn brigade. Mouth: my god. Finish: my god. Comments: this is why we’re into whisky. We’re approaching perfection here.\" And what else is there to say, really?

The Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli is is an example of two heavyweights of the whisky world at the very top of their game. The 1960's was a golden era in production for many Islay distilleries, with the south-east coast's Laphroaig no exception. Today it is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries with its own in-house malting floor, and this vintage dates to the time when this provided 100% of the malt they used. Modern Laphroaig uses only a small percentage of its own malt, the rest sourced from Port Ellen, making this a truly pure example of what the distillery can produce, and a rare one at that.

While it takes a great distillery to produce a legendary whisky, it equally requires a keen eye, mind and palate to select the right cask, and Samaroli had all of these in spades. Renowned for hand-selecting his own barrels, this one was bottled by the man, widely regarded as a visionary, at the moment his raw talent was crystallising into something spectacular. He released his first bottles in 1979, followed by the acclaimed Flowers series in 1981. Then, just a year later as Samaroli was riding the crest of a wave of excitement and approval, came this, the Laphroaig 1967. The perfect moment. The perfect whisky.

This is bottle number 563 of 720.

Clynelish 1966 Sestante 23 Year Old / Cadenhead's White Label 1989

A fantastic bottling of Clynelish, bottled by Cadenhead's in 1989 for Italian importers Sestante. This is known as the White Label series and includes two Ardbeg along with this Clynelish selected exclusively for Nidaba, a bar in Montebelluna, Italy.

A 1966 vintage, this whisky predates the construction of the current Clynelish distillery, meaning this was distilled at the facility nowadays referred to as Brora.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Laphroaig 14 Year Old circa 1953 / Carlton Import, US

A spectacular old bottling of Laphroaig single malt from the Isle of Islay.

Aged 14 years and bottled, around 1953 for the US market. This was imported by longtime partners, The Carlton Company of Baltimore, MD.

Laphroaig 1970 Samaroli

A truly legendary Laphroaig, distilled in 1970 and bottled in 1986 by R.W. Duthie for Silvano Samaroli.

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.

Emmanuel Dron, whisky collector and owner of the Auld Alliance bar has stated that, \"if I had to bring only one bottle to a desert island, it would be [this] Laphroaig 1970 bottled in 1986.\" This is part of the 'Distillery Drawing' collection of Laphroaig bottlings from Samaroli, which includes the legendary 1967 Sherry Cask.

Bottle number 694 of only 720 produced.

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. 

Clynelish 1973 Single Cask 41 Year Old / Wealth Solutions​

It is extremely uncommon to see private bottlings produced 'officially' by Diageo.

Their 'Hogmanay Cask' was filled 31st December 1973. The advent of a new year in Scotland is an important tradition for entire communities, with the Clynelish Hogmanay Casks reflecting this. They were a collaborative effort from the inhabitants of the areas, rarely poured into barrels within the confines of the distillery walls for this reason, and very few casks bear the honour of being named as such.

This single cask bottling for Wealth Solutions is twice as exceptional, having been aged for a whopping 41 years, making it the oldest official Clynelish going!

One of 144 bottles. 

Clynelish 1965 Cadenhead's 23 Year Old 

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.

This was distilled in 1965 at the original Clynelish distillery, or Brora as it is better known today. This distillery closed briefly in 1968, and again in 1983 after having reopened in 1969. Single malt from Brora distillery is increasingly sought after.

Bottled in July 1989.

Cask of Distinction Collection 3 x 70cl / Clynelish, Lagavulin, Talisker

These are part of Diageo's Casks of Distinction programme. Casks of Distinction is the private sale of individual casks of rare and exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Diageo’s extensive stocks in Scotland. Hand selected by a team of whisky experts under guidance from Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson, each cask is entirely unique and incredibly rare. Each Cask of Distinction is chosen on the basis of their quality, representing the most exceptional and singular expression of the distillery’s character.

• Talisker 1990 Casks of Distinction 26 Year Old #6559
  A single cask Talisker, distilled in 1990 and exclusively selected by Boyao Zhao.
  Bottled in 2016, this is bottle number 184 of 222. 53.3%.

• Clynelish 1997 Casks of Distinction 21 Year Old #7555
  A single cask Clynelish, distilled in 1997 and exclusively selected by Boyao Zhao. It was bottled on 15th October 2018.
  Bottled in 2018, this is bottle number 384 of 405. 56.7%

• Lagavulin 1992 Casks of Distinction 23 Year Old #5745 
  A single cask Lagavulin, distilled in 1992 and matured in Bodega sherry European oak (cask #5745).
  Bottled in 2016, this is bottle number 312 of 420. 55.7%

This lot has a 3 bottle shipping fee.

Laphroaig 1974 Sherry Cask 31 Year Old

A legendary official release of Laphroaig, distilled in 1974 and bottled 31 years later for La Maison Du Whisky.

This stunning whisky was limited to only 910 bottles and is renowned for its incredible sherry influence.

Another highly acclaimed and award-winning whisky, this was given an impressive 95 points from Serge Valentin on WhiskyFun, not to mention its Gold Medal and Non Plus Ultra award from the Malt Maniacs!

Bottle number 288 of 910

Caol Ila 1968 Gordon and MacPhail 50 Year Old / Private Collection

Distilled in 1968 and bottled in 2018 this is the oldest Caol Ila ever bottled! (To date)

Matured in a refill Sherry hogshead for over 50 years and bottled at cask strength.

One of only 199 bottles produced.

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.

Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie and Heilbron Cask Strength 1971 / Edward and Edward 

A fantastic old bottling from the original Clynelish, nowadays referred to as Brora. Bottled in 1971 by proprietors, Ainslie & Heilbron Distillers on behalf of the legendary Italian bar owner, Edoardo Giaccone.

Giaccone was something of a trailblazer, and was importing specially bottled official single malts for his bar from the late 1960s, this is one of his earliest. He opened the famous venue in 1958, and it has been called a few different things over the years, including Garten, Edward & Edward (during the period this was imported), and La Taverna del Comandante.

Edoardo set the stage for later legendary bottlers such as Silvano Samaroli, Nadi Fiori and Ernesto Mainardi. Moon Import founder, Pepi Mongiardino said, \"he was the first person I visited\" when he became the distributor for Bruichladdich in 1981. Giaccone did not have any of his own labels or series, but was the first person in Italy to have official bottlings produced exclusively for him. Through his bar, Italy was treated to exclusive releases from Clynelish, Bowmore, Dalmore, Highland Park and even Jack Daniel's.

This 12 year old was bottle at a cask strength of 56.9%, at his request.

Bottle 109.

Caroni Magnum Collection 3 x 1.5 Litre / Velier 70th Anniversary

A trio of hand-blown magnum's, each containing a single cask rum from the lost Caroni distillery on Trinidad. Bottled for the 70th anniversary of legendary Italian import company, Velier.

• Caroni 1994 Full Proof 23 Year Old Heavy Rum
  One of 109 from cask #R6126. Aged until 2008 in Trinidad before being transferred to Diamond in Guyana. 59.8%
• Caroni 1996 Full Proof 21 Year Old Blended Rum
  One of 105 from cask #R5542. Aged until 2008 in Trinidad before being transferred to Diamond in Guyana. 65.1%
• Caroni 1996 Full Proof 21 Year Old Heavy Rum
  One of 119 from cask #R5620. Aged until 2008 in Trinidad before being transferred to Diamond in Guyana. 64.3%

This lot has a 6 bottle shipping fee.

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.

Laphroaig 1966 Signatory Vintage 31 Year Old

A spectacular Laphroaig, distilled on 4th April 1966 and bottled 31 years later on 15th May 1997.

Matured in cask #1094, this is bottle number 2 of 210. 

Clynelish 1973 Prestonfield House 33 Year Old / 1st Bottling

Prestonfield House have released a number of excellent whiskies over the years, this Clynelish is certainly one of them!

The second 1973 vintage bottled for them in 2006 at 33 years old.

One of 405 bottles drawn from cask #8912 and bottled by Signatory Vintage for The Prestonfield Whisky Co.

The label features an image of the eponymous Prestonfield Hotel and one of their famous peacocks which roam the grounds.

Cask #8912 was awarded an incredible score of 95 points (an all time best for Clynelish) by Serge Valetin of WhiskyFun.

Clynelish 1965 Signatory Vintage 29 Year Old

An independently bottled Clynelish has become a very rare indeed.

A real gem for any Clynelish enthusiast, this was distilled at the original Clynelish distillery, nowadays referred to as Brora. Modern day Clynelish is distilled nextdoor, at the facility opened in 1967. Brora has been closed since 1983.

Bottled in 1994 after 29 years in sherry butt #667.

Bottle 317 of 530.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

Longrow 1973 Samaroli Natural Strength

A 1973 vintage bottling of Longrow, the peated single malt produced by Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. This was independently bottled for Samaroli at a natural strength of 53%.

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.

Longrow is one of the enduring testaments to Samaroli's genius. He was one of the spirit's earliest champions, bottling much of it in the 1980s. Longrow has since become very highly regarded amongst whisky connoisseurs.

The 1973 vintage is the first year Longrow was ever produced, and this 1985 bottling by R.W. Duthie for Samaroli is his first release of this peated Sprinbank-produced dram.

Bottle 826 of 960.

Laphroaig 12 Year Old Prime Malt Selection No.1

A fantastic old bottling of Laphroaig for the US market.

Bottled at 12 years old by Munro Watson & Co. and imported to the US by Hartley & Parker, CN.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s / Bonfanti Import​

An older bottling of Laphroaig from the 1970s, prior to the granting of the royal warrant.

Bonfanti import for the Italian market.

Coilltean 1975 Samaroli / Glen Garioch

An early example of the Coilltean label from Silvano Samaroli. Coilltean is a name he first used to as a way to provide greater variety to his range after over-purchasing casks of 1975 Glen Garioch. It became a regular feature in his series releases along with the Glen Cawdor psuedonym.

This was bottled for him in 1987 by long-time partners, R.W. Duthie of Aberdeen.

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.

Bottle 603 of 648.

Lagavulin 1991 Single Cask / Bicentenary​ 

A single cask Lagavulin released in 2016 to celebrate their bicentenary year.

One of 522 bottled from a single hand-selected ex-sherry butt.

Bottle number 292. 

Clynelish 1972 Cadenhead Cask #5641 Cask Strength

Cadenhead's bottled using the white label with black and red text, this 1972 distilled Clynelish was bottled from cask #5641 at 57.6%.

Bottle number 486.

Lagavulin 1976 Cask Strength 37 Year Old

A very well aged Lagavulin, released in late 2013 as part of Diageo's annual 'super premium' releases.

Distilled in 1976 and matured in refill American oak and European oak casks, yielding 1,868 bottles.

Bottle number 996.

Caol Ila 1968 Gordon and MacPhail Original 'Cask'

A fantastic Gordon & MacPhail bottling of Caol Ila, distilled in 1968, prior to the expansion of the distillery in the early 1970s.

Bottled with classic white labels, this is from the Original 'Cask' series from the Elgin bottlers, launched in 1980 to cater to the growing demand for cask strength single malt.

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. 

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s

Classic Laphroaig, bottled during the 1970s. 

Well regarded by those lucky enough to have tasted it.

Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie and Heilbron Cask Strength 1980s / Edward and Edward 

A fantastic old bottling of Clynelish, bottled by proprietors, Ainslie & Heilbron Distillers in the classic orange label used between 1977 and 1984 (Gordon & MacPhail also used it from 1984 onwards). Should the bottle have been filled prior to 1981, it will contain single malt from the original Clynelish distillery, nowadays referred to as Brora. This distillery was closed in 1969 when the current Clynelish was built nextdoor, re-opening the following year to produce heavily peated whisky to make up for a shortfall after a drought on Islay. 

This was bottled on behalf of the legendary Italian bar owner, Edoardo Giaccone.

Giaccone was something of a trailblazer, and was importing specially bottled official single malts for his bar from the late 1960s, this is one of his earliest. He opened the famous venue in 1958, and it has been called a few different things over the years, including Garten, Edward & Edward (during the period this was imported), and La Taverna del Comandante.

Edoardo set the stage for later legendary bottlers such as Silvano Samaroli, Nadi Fiori and Ernesto Mainardi. Moon Import founder, Pepi Mongiardino said, \"he was the first person I visited\" when he became the distributor for Bruichladdich in 1981. Giaccone did not have any of his own labels or series, but was the first person in Italy to have official bottlings produced exclusively for him. Through his bar, Italy was treated to exclusive releases from Clynelish, Bowmore, Dalmore, Highland Park and even Jack Daniel's.

This 12 year old was bottle at a cask strength of 56.9%, at his request.

Bottle 518.

Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Single Casks #1179 and #2593 / Prineus GmbH 2 x 70cl

This lot consists of two single cask Chichibu's bottled for Prineus GmbH:

• Chichibu 2011 Ichiro's Malt Single Cask #1179 / Prineus GmbH

A 2011 vintage single cask from Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan. Bourbon barrel #1179 was selected exclusively for Prineus GmbH in Germany. One of 216 bottles. 59.7%

• Chichibu 2013 Ichiro's Malt Single Cask #2593 / Prineus GmbH

A 2013 vintage single cask from Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan. Oloroso hogshead #2593 was selected exclusively for Prineus GmbH in Germany. One of 306 bottles. 49.7%

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 2 bottles.

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.

Clynelish 12 Year Old Ainslie and Heilbron 1960s / Di Chiano Import

A 1960s or early 1970s bottling of Clynelish by Ainslie & Heilbron distillers.

Aged 12 years, this was produced at the old Clynelish distillery, referred to as Brora since 1975. This distillery closed in 1983 after the new Clynelish which was built nextdoor in 1968, eventually assumed sole distilling responsibility.

Imported by Di Chiano for the Italian market.