March 2019 Auction

Springbank 12 Year Old Sherry Cask 1980s / Samaroli Import

A ludicrously rare and highly sought after official bottling of Springbank, officially bottled for Samaroli Imports. This dates from the early 1980s when Silvano Samaroli's independent bottling business was still in its infancy, and he was still operating as an official importer. Taking inspiration from the legendary Edoardo Giaccone, proprietor of Edward & Edward (aka Whiskyteca Garten) in Salo, Samaroli imported outwith the standard distillery offerings, and sought out exclusive cask strength and sherry cask offerings like this for his clients. The back label of the bottle includes his tasting notes.

Rumoured to be the same liquid as that of the Samaroli Springbank that was awarded 98 points on WhiskyFun.com

These bottles make it to market so infrequently we wouldn't recommend missing out on this, there's no telling when you might get another chance to pick one up.

Bottle 1346 of 2400.

Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood Full Proof

This is one of Silvano Samaroli's earliest forays into the realm of independent bottling, following his successful collaboration with Cadenhead's in 1979. This was bottled in the same year. As an official Italian distributor for Glen Garioch, Samaroli had great access to top quality casks and it shows here.

Glen Garioch was a peaty single malt in the 1970s, and this is considered one of the finest examples of balancing the strong characters produced by peat and sherry casks, along with another Samaroli classic, the Laphroaig 1967.

This is the first of two 1971 vintage Glen Garioch released by Silvano, bottled at full proof. The second was single cask homage to this, bottled much later in 1997 at a lighter 43%.

Bottle number 1598 of 2280 produced.

Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood Full Proof

This is one of Silvano Samaroli's earliest forays into the realm of independent bottling, following his successful collaboration with Cadenhead's in 1979. This was bottled in the same year. As an official Italian distributor for Glen Garioch, Samaroli had great access to top quality casks and it shows here.

Glen Garioch was a peaty single malt in the 1970s, and this is considered one of the finest examples of balancing the strong characters produced by peat and sherry casks, along with another Samaroli classic, the Laphroaig 1967.

This is the first of two 1971 vintage Glen Garioch released by Silvano, bottled at full proof. The second was single cask homage to this, bottled much later in 1997 at a lighter 43%.

Bottle number 1688 of 2280 produced.

Glenfarclas 21 Year Old Cask Strength 1970s / Edward and Edward

Produced for the European markets, this square bottled Glenfarclas is very hard to come by. 

This bottle was specially selected for legendary Italian bar owner, Edoardo Giaccone. It was was imported by Co. Import, Pinerolo.

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.

Bottle number 107.

Springbank 1966 Sherry Cask 24 Year Old #443 / Local Barley

Springbank produced several 'Local Barley' bottlings from the mid 1960s, all of which have reached legendary status.

Distilled in January 1966 and bottled June 1990 after being matured in an oak sherry cask number #1966 443

Bottle No. 23

The particular release does not have the well known 'Local Barley' title located anywhere on the label. Instead it reads 'A West Highland' which suggests it was one of the very first releases of the now famous series.

Glen Ord 1962 Samaroli Bouquet

An exceptionally rare and highly sought after release from the legendary Italian bottler, Samaroli.

This cask strength Glen Ord was distilled in 1962 and bottled for Samaroli by longtime partners, R.W. Duthie of Aberdeen, in 1984.

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 a small series called the Bouquet, and contains only one other release, the classic Bowmore 1966 which many believe to be one of the greatest ever bottled.

Highly acclaimed, Serge Valentin awarded this 92 points on WhiskyFun, and collector and connoisseur, Emmanuel Dron, declares it the best Glen Ord ever bottled and one of his favourite whiskies.

Bottle number 390 of 720. 

Glenury Royal 1953 50 Year Old

There are very few official bottling of this rare Highland malt, which closed its doors for the last time in 1985.

This spectacular sherried 1953 vintage Glenury was bottled as a 50 year old.  

Bottle number 11 of only 498.

Skeldon SWR 1978 Velier 27 Year Old Rum

The Skeldon is a legendary bottle of rum, bottled by Velier's Luca Gargano is 2004.

The little known Skeldon plantation was located on the far east of Guyana, and this was distilled on their Coffey still in 1973. The plantation itself closed in 1960, with its barrels transferred to the now also closed Uitvlugt distillery. There is debate as to whether their Coffey still was also relocated to the Uitvlugt, or if the rum is given its name by the barrel marking SWR, which apparently stands for Skeldon William Ross, founder of the Skeldon Estate and former owner of the barrel. Either way, this occupies a fascinating corner in the history of Caribbean rum.

Following the closure of Uitvlugt in 2000, its stills and barrels were transferred to Diamond distillery. Among them were the 3 barrels that contributed to this rum. These were discovered by Gargano, and having spent an incredible 27 years maturing in tropical weather, were bottled straight away for fear of any further evaporation, or as we like to call it, Angels' Share.

This is one of just 688 bottles released in 2004.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Serge Valentin, along with Sales Director for Master of Malt, Ben Ellefsen, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by WhiskyFun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

Bottle number 97 of 400.

Glenfarclas 1954 Family Cask #1253

One of the oldest recent releases in the Family Cask range by Glenfarclas.  This Autiumn 2013 released was distilled in 1954 and bottled from a single sherry butt #1253 on 27th June 2013.

One of 424 bottles.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Serge Valentin, along with Sales Director for Master of Malt, Ben Ellefsen, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by WhiskyFun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

Bottle number 75 of 400.

Glenfiddich 1959 Private Vintage 

A stunning single cask bottling of 1959 vintage Glenfiddich, which was selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master and hand bottled on 9th August 2006 after over 46 years of maturation in cask #3934.

Presented in a crafted cherry wood case with certificate, this is bottle number 176.

Specially selected for World of Whiskies.

Please note that the bottle numbers on the bottle and box presented here do not match.

Glendronach 26 Year Old Trump International Scotland / Signed by President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump

Political views aside, these bottlings have become incredibly sought after.  

This bottle is signed by the current President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. These bottles were randomly selected and signed over the last few year by Trump, explaining the slightly different variations.

This very rare single cask Glendronach was bottled to commemorate the launch of Trump International Golf Links, Scotland. 

Bottled on the 25th of June 2012 from single cask #1036.

Only 504 bottles were released, each bottle is numbered within the certificate/card inside the box, this is bottle number 203.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Rare Collection

A fantastic 40 year old single malt produced by Glenfiddich.

Selected by Glenfiddich Malt Master, who hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting; a process known as ‘remnant vatting’. Glenfiddich claim to be the only distillery to use such a process.

Bottled in 2000, this is bottle number 474 of 600. 

Presented in a lockable wooden box with key included.

Glenfarclas 1957 Family Cask #2110

The Family Cask range was launched early in 2007 with a cask for each year from 1952 until 1994.

This release was matured in a sherry hogshead and bottled on 28th November 2014 as one of 159 bottles. 

Glenfarclas 1958 Family Cask #2065

As part of the hugely popular 'Family Cask' range, this Glenfarclas was distilled in 1958 and aged for over 40 years in a sherry hogshead #2065 until bottling on the 9th July 2014

One of 138 bottles.

Springbank 1965

A rare 1965 vintage bottling of Springbank.

Bottled at some point in the 1980s by the famous Campbeltown distillery.

Glenfarclas 1958 Family Cask #2065 / Autumn 2014

As part of the hugely popular 'Family Cask' range, this Glenfarclas was distilled in 1958 and aged for over 40 years in a sherry hogshead #2065 until bottling on the 9th July 2014.

One of 138 bottles.

Glen Garioch 13 Year Old Samaroli / Handwritten Labels

A 13 year old expression from Highland distillery Glen Garioch. This is likely a 1975 vintage. Samaroli bought many casks from that year, and developed the Coilltean label as a means of bottling it while keeping variety to his output. A similar sentiment has probably been the reason her has opted for an age statement rather than the expected vintage here. 

Bottled in 1988 by R. W. Duthie for Samaroli, from Fino sherry casks.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, (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 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 238.

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #19 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for Nippon Airways. 

The original Glendronach 25 year old from 1968 was described by Serge Valentin from Whisky Fun as a 'A tremendous sherry monster''. He scored it 90 points.

Cask #19, bottle number 338 of only 498. 

Glenfarclas 1959 Family Cask #1822 / Winter 2015

Bottled as part of the extensive Glenfarclas Family Cask range of vintage whiskies.

Distilled in 1959 and bottled on the 25th August 2015. 

One of 127 bottles drawn from a single sherry hogshead #1822.

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #15 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for Nippon Airways. 

This is the original Glendronach 25 year old from 1968, which Serge Valentin from WhiskyFun explains is 'A tremendous sherry monster', scoring 90 points.

Cask #15, bottle number 198of only 490. 

Springbank 35 Year Old Millennium Limited Edition

An older expression from this Campbeltown classic. This was bottled in September 1999 for the Millennium as part of a range of 6 bottles. 

The set comprised whiskies bottled at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years. 

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old Silver Stag's Head Decanter

An 1980s bottling of Glenfiddich 30 Year Old in a crystal decanter with a replacement stopper made from hallmarked solid silver in the shape of a stag's head.

A very elegant and ornate presentation that was ahead of its time.

Springbank 1965 Cadenhead's 31 Year Old Sherry Wood

A rare 1965 vintage Springbank from Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Cadenhead's.

This is part of the Authentic Collection range and was bottled from sherry wood in 1996.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Rare Collection

A fantastic 40 year old single malt produced by Glenfiddich.

Selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master, who hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting; a process known as ‘remnant vatting’. Glenfiddich claim to be the only distillery to use such a process.

Bottled in 2008, this is bottle number 287 of 600. 

Presented in a lockable wooden box with key included.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Rare Collection 75cl / US Import

A fantastic 40 year old single malt produced by Glenfiddich.

Selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master, who hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting; a process known as ‘remnant vatting’. Glenfiddich claim to be the only distillery to use such a process.

Release number 7 totalled 600 bottles, this is bottle number 232.

Presented in a lockable wooden box with key included.

Glen Garioch 1971 / Oddbins Exclusive​

A vintage single cask bottling of Glen Garioch, produced exclsuively for Oddbins, a UK wine shop.

Glenfiddich 1965 Vintage Reserve 35 Year Old

A very rare bottling of Glenfiddich exclusively bottled for the distillery.

Distilled in 1965 and matured in cask #10837.

This is bottle number 245.

Glenlivet 1959 Cellar Collection 

Released as part of Glenlivet's Cellar Collection in 2001, this is a very well aged Glenlivet distilled in 1959.

Distilled 1959 and bottled 2001 from cask #2LHF901.

This is bottle number 115 of 400.

Springbank 30 Year Old Samaroli / Cadenhead's 1979

An incredibly rare older expression from this Campbeltown classic.

Springbank of this sort of age is very rare indeed, and tend to be brought to market as limited runs such as the Millennium Collection, or through unusual bottlings such as this.

Silvano Samaroli began his career in the whisky industry as an importer in 1968, operating as the Italian agent for Speyside's Linkwood distillery. This 1979 bottling of Springbank is part of his first foray into the independent bottling scene. The series comprises another, younger Springbank, as well as a Macallan, Highland Park and Glenlivet, among others. They were bottled for him by Cadenhead's, in the classic brown dumpy glass of the era, using unique labels that Samaroli had designed himself.

This is by far the rarest of the set. The other releases in the series were limited to 360 bottles each, we would imagine this is the same. 

Bottle number 16.

Glenfarclas 1961 Family Cask #4913 / 1st Release

One of the oldest recent releases in the Family Cask range by Glenfarclas.

This Autumn 2014 release was distilled in 1961 and bottled from a single sherry hogshead  #4913 on 27th February 2007.

One of 159 bottles.