March 2019 Auction

Macallan 72 Year Old Lalique Genesis Decanter

One of two \"Genesis\" releases bottled in 2018 to celebrate the opening of the brand new Macallan distillery. The first was the infamous Genesis 2018 Release, followed by this, the Spectatcular Genesis Decanter.

Presented in a beautiful Lalique crystal decanter, this is the oldest Macallan single malt ever bottled. This was distilled in the 1940s, in period of post-war optimism both in the whisky industry and the the world as a whole. Having lay maturing for a staggering 72 years, this was bottled in a year Macallan themselves describe as a \"new dawn,\" representing a new period of optismism for the future with their new, behemoth distillery opening in June that year.

The decanter and its presentation are designed to evoke and celebrate the architecture of the new site:

\"Lalique has captured the character of the new Distillery in crystal, with the horizon of the decanter rising and falling in reflection of the roof line and incorporating the clean lines and natural curves. Each decanter is encased in a bespoke presentation case inspired by the interior of the Distillery, with a curved wooden roof over the decanter, and a footprint taken directly from the circular layout of the three new still houses.\"

It was designed by Burgess Studio, and was handcrafted by Royal Warrant holding cabinet makers, NEJ Stevenson.

One of only 600.

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 bottle number 179 of just 250. 

Karuizawa 1964 Single Cask 48 Year Old #3603 / Wealth Solutions

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 limited release was distilled on the 1st September 1964 and bottled on the 24th December 2012 after 48 years of ageing.

Produced from single sherry cask #3603, which yielded only 143 bottles. This bottle number 95.

This release was an exclusive bottling for Wealth Solutions of Poland.  The box is constructed from Polish black fossil oak.

This extremely rare 1964 single cask is arguably one of the most sought after Karuizawa whiskies ever released and is always highly contested.

Bottled at cask strength.

Macallan 48 Year Old The Savoy 125th Anniversary

Many decades ago, The Savoy created a range of spirits bottled exclusively for the hotel to be enjoyed by the most loyal guest and discerning imbibers of the time. These spirits were savoured in The Savoy's world famous bar and were often shipped abroad or bought home as the most special memento of their stay.

In collaboration with Speciality Drinks in 2013 The Savoy revived this tradition with the launch of a prestigious collection of unique spirits, which includes a 21 year old Macallan, 17 year old Laphroaig and a 1975 vintage Demerara rum.

This 2014 release is by far the most spectacular; a 48 year old Macallan, discovered in a sherry butt by Speciality Drinks, and specially bottled for the 125th anniversary of the hotel. Only 15 bottles of this were produced, with only 3 made available each year. It is exceptionally rare.

Each decanter is hand-blown by Brodie Nairn of Glasstorm Studio in Tain, with a hand engraved collar produced from a single sheet of silver by Royal Warrant holding silversmiths, Hamilton & Inches. The presentation cabinet was produced by Neil Stevenson, furniture maker to the Royal Family since 1992. Each craftmaker involved is one of the most celebrated in their field.

The presentation also includes a small section of the original American Bar at the Savoy bar top, removed in 2014 and one that many of history's greats have lain their drinks on.

Macallan 1967 18 Year Old 6 x 75cl / Giovinetti Import - Case

First launched in 1984, the official Macallan 18 year old is an absolute classic of the whisky world. Distilled at the famous distillery in Speyside and fully matured in sherry oak casks from Jerez in Spain.

Distilled in 1967, this was was bottled around 1985. These early releases were packaged in the instantly recognisable purple-sashed white boxes, featuring the Sara Midda watercolours of Easter Elchies house, synonymous with Macallan of the period.

Imported to the Italian market by Giovinetti & Figli.

With original card box. 

This lot has a shipping fee for 6 bottles. 

Karuizawa 29 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 'Purple Geisha' released in 2018 by Elixir distillers. This particular single cask has been matured for over 29 years in a single sherry cask.

Bottle number 28 of only 60.

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.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #6412 / Fazzino

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.

An impressive 2017 bottling, distilled in 1981 and matured exclusively in sherry butt #6412.

The box and bottle bear art work by renowned 3D artist Fazzino.

Karuizawa Five Decades 1960 - 2000

One of the most exciting new releases of the past year. This very exclusive bottling of Karuizawa was launched at department store Isetan in Shinjuku.

The whisky contains a vatting of casks from five decades of Karuizawa, from the 1960s right up until the distillery's closure in 2000, only leaving out a very low period of production during the 1950s.  The last part of the story, the whisky was then transferred into an ex-Karuizawa cask for a number of years before being bottled in 2015. 

This delightfully engraved decanter is presented in a well crafted wooden box with keys included.

The guys at Nonjatta have commented on this bottle as Karuizawa's 'Swan Song'.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #6809

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.

An impressive 2016 single cask bottling, distilled in 1981 and matured exclusively in sherry cask #6809.

Macallan 1991 Fine and Rare 25 Year Old

Another fantastic example of old Macallan. The Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was designed to represent the very best vintages and whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

Distilled in 1991 and bottled 25 years later in 2016 from cask #7021

Unique Reference: 2smxds

Signed and dated on 24th May 2017 by M. Bennet.

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955

Distilled in 1968 in the now long-closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled on 17th June 2010. 

Vintage Karuizawa like this is incredibly rare.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask 29 Year Old #8897 / Geisha Label

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 limited release was distilled in 1984 and bottled after 29 years of maturation.

Produced from single Bourbon cask #8897.

This bottle is one of a pair which were released for The Whisky Exchange's 2014 Whisky Show; the other bottle being a single Sherry cask #5347 which features a mirror-image label.

Bottled at cask strength.

Mortlach 27 Year Old Samaroli / Handwritten Labels

A rare 27 year old expression from \"The Beast of Dufftown,\" Mortlach. Bottled in 1985 by R. W. Duthie for Samaroli.

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 61 of 120 produced exclusively for Gabri.

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955

Distilled in 1968 in the now long-closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled on 17th June 2010. 

42 Year old Karuizawa is extremely rare. 

Karuizawa 1980 Single Cask 35 Year Old #8283 / Moon Above the Sea at Daimotsu Bay

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 limited bottling was distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015 at an impressive 35 years old..

Produced from single bourbon cask #8283, which yielded only 401 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength, this stunning bottling presents Moon above the Sea at Daimotsu Bay, part of Tsukioka Honen's \"One Hundred Aspects of the Moon\" series on the box and label art. 

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #171 / Eight Headed Dragon

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 limited bottling was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2016 at an impressive 35 years old..

Produced from single sherry cask #171, which yielded only 530 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength, this is one of several 35 year old releases depicting Japanese mythology on their labels. The Eight Headed Dragon on this label is borrowed form the cover of a popular series of stories published by Hasegawa Takejiro in the 18th century. The dragon is named Yamata no Orochi.

Presented in a stunning lock and key presentation box.

Macallan 1950 Handwritten Label / German Import

A stunning and incredibly rare presentation of Macallan, distilled in 1950. 

This is part off a series of vintage releases all with handwritten labels, that includes a 1940, 1950, 1957 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada.

Bottled in 1980, this was specially imported for the German market.

Karuizawa 1988 Sherry Cask 60.3% / Finest Whisky Deluxe

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.

Distilled in 1988, this Karuizawa was matured in a sherry cask and exclusively presented at Finest Whisky Deluxe in Berlin in June 2018. 

This is bottle number 14 of only 60, and comes with an origami model of a crane, or 'tsuru'. 

Imported by The Number One Drinks Company Ltd. 

Macallan M Black 2017 Release

This is the follow-up to the iconic Macallan M, which for a time held the world record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold when the six litre 'Imperiale' variant sold at auction in January 2014. 

Macallan M Black has a subtle smoky edge to it, and was created to celebrate the distillery's rich heritage and as a knowing nod to Macallan's peaty past. 

The whisky itself was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, and the complexity and craftsmanship of the liquid is mirrored by the stunning Lalique black crystal decanter in which it is stored. 

This is one of 725 bottles.

Macallan M Black 2017 Release

This is the follow-up to the iconic Macallan M, which for a time held the world record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold when the six litre 'Imperiale' variant sold at auction in January 2014. 

Macallan M Black has a subtle smoky edge to it, and was created to celebrate the distillery's rich heritage and as a knowing nod to Macallan's peaty past. 

The whisky itself was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, and the complexity and craftsmanship of the liquid is mirrored by the stunning Lalique black crystal decanter in which it is stored. 

One of 725 bottles. 

Macallan 1957 Rinaldi Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old / Handwritten Label

A stunning and incredibly rare presentation of Macallan, distilled in 1957. 

This is part of a series of vintage releases all with handwritten labels, that includes a 1938, 1940, 1950 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada.

Bottled in 1982, this was specially bottled for the 25th anniversary of Fratelli Rinaldi.

Macallan M Black 2017 Release

This is the follow-up to the iconic Macallan M, which for a time held the world record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold when the six litre 'Imperiale' variant sold at auction in January 2014. 

Macallan M Black has a subtle smoky edge to it, and was created to celebrate the distillery's rich heritage and as a knowing nod to Macallan's peaty past. 

The whisky itself was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, and the complexity and craftsmanship of the liquid is mirrored by the stunning Lalique black crystal decanter in which it is stored. 

Bottle number 394 of 725 bottles.

Macallan 1995/1996 Easter Elchies 2008​

The 2008 Easter Elchies bottling was a marriage of two single sherry hogshead casks #9455 and #4693, distilled in 1996 and 1996, respectively.

Macallan 1937 Gordon and MacPhail 35 Year Old / Edward and Edward

A very rare bottle of Macallan, distilled in 1937 and been bottled after 35 years by Gordon and MacPhail.

Gordon & MacPhail helped Macallan survive during the 1930s and 1940s by buying a regular batch of stock from them, which in turn allowed them to release a lot of these special Macallan bottlings to the Italian market. This was bottled especially for 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.

Imported for Edward & Edward by Co. Import, Pinerolo.

Mortlach 1951 Gordon and MacPhail 63 Year Old / Private Collection ​

​Distilled in 1951 this single cask Mortlach has been matured for incredible 63 years before being selected in 2014 by David Urquhart, as well as his twin sons.

Only 61 decanters were ever released.

Macallan 1937 Luxury Spirit Company Decanter 50cl / Bottle 1 of 1

A genuine rarity for Macallan enthusiasts, this is a unique bottling from the Luxury Spirit Company of Glasgow, produced by filling antique decanters. 

This is a 1937 vintage and was filled into a c. 1920-30 Continental, Art Deco cut Crystal decanter.

The decanter comes complete with a solid silver collar, glass stopper, and certificate of authenticity and is presented in a gorgeous chequered patterned lacquered wooden box.

Macallan 1957 Rinaldi Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old / Handwritten Label

A stunning and incredibly rare presentation of Macallan, distilled in 1957. 

This is part of a series of vintage releases all with handwritten labels, that includes a 1938, 1940, 1950 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada.

Bottled in 1982, this was specially bottled for the 25th anniversary of Fratelli Rinaldi.

Macallan 30 Year Old Fine Oak Masters of Photography / Rankin Edition

The Masters of Photography series of whiskies by Macallan currently contains four releases. This is the first release presented by John Rankin Waddle or simply Rankin.  Macallan commissioned Rankin to produce a limited edition series of photographs to be matched with Macallan 30 year old.  The photographs were taken over one summer and range from staff members, to scenery, equipment and in some cases, nude portraits of Rankins muse over barrels, wash backs and stills.

Only 1,000 bottles and photographs were chosen for this edition and the presentation box contains one of the original Rankin Polaroid photograph.

Paired with 30 Year Old Macallan Fine Oak which has been matured in a combination of European and American sherry oak, and ex-bourbon casks.

Karuizawa 1981 Noh Single Cask 35 Year Old #6183 

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 series features different masks used in Noh, one of Japan's traditional performing arts. 

This limited bottling was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2017.

Charged from single sherry cask #6183, which yielded 486 bottles. 

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizwawa 1976 Single Cask #7818 / Geisha Label

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 limited bottling was distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2010.

Produced from single cask #7818, which yielded 554 bottles. This is bottle number 213.

Bottled at cask strength.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak

A very rare and hugely popular edition of Macallan 30 year old with the classic blue label and box.