March 2019 Auction

Port Ellen 12 Year Old / Queen's Visit 1980

We are honoured to present at auction one of the most iconic whiskies ever produced, and one of the most sought-after bottlings amongst collectors: the Port Ellen Queen's Visit. 

Thought to be the only official bottling of Port Ellen released while the distillery was active, it was produced to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the island on 9th August 1980. 

The exact number of bottles is unknown, but it is accepted that enough were bottled so that the Queen and all senior staff present on the day could have one. Estimates are that around 40 were made. 

In terms of taste, it was the reputation of being a truly outstanding dram. Indeed, this is the only whisky to score a near-perfect 99/100 on WhiskyFun.com, the highest rating Serge Valentin has ever awarded. 

With it currently being unavailable in even the most specialist of whisky retailers, this is genuinely a 'money can't buy' opportunity for any whisky enthusiast. 

Glass stopper included.

Please note that the strength is not stated. 

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.

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.

Port Ellen 1969 Gordon and MacPhail 15 Year Old Celtic Label / Intertrade Import

A vintage Port Ellen, distilled in 1969 and bottled as a 15 year old, two years after the distillery's closure.

This is part of the Celtic Label series, an Italian exclusive range bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for Italian importers Giuseppe Meregalli, Donini and Nadi Fiori's Intertrade.

This is an Intertrade bottling from 1985. The Intertrade and Donini imports are the rarer bottles, with Meregalli taking over as the sole distributor for Gordon & MacPhail later that year, a relationship which continues to this day.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

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.

Port Ellen 1981 Casks of Distinction 37 Year Old #1297

Filled into single hogshead #1297 on the 15 April 1981, and then matured for over 37 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 37 year old expression and one of only 174 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 48.9% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1297, which is 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.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 37 Year Old is amongst the last of its kind.

Bottle number 114 of only 174

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask / Feis Ile 2008

Arguably one of the rarest Port Ellen's around, this official bottling was released for the Feis Ile in 2008 and as you can imagine sold out instantly.

This 1981 vintage is the only official single cask offering from Port Ellen, distilled on 15th April 1981 and bottled in 2008.

This single ex-refill American oak cask #1301 yielded only 220 bottles.

This is bottle number 84.

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.

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.

Ardbeg 1972 Kingsbury 28 Year Old / Hand Writing

This is a fantastic independently bottled Ardbeg, from Japan's Kingsbury.

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 using their Cadenhead's stock, 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 part of a beautifully labelled series called Hand Writing, perhaps an affectionate nod to a similar Samaroli series around 10 years earlier?

Distilled in 1972 and bottled at natural cask strength after 28 years.

Ardbeg 1974 Provenance 4th Release 75cl / US Import

One of the legendary Ardbeg Provenance bottlings, distilled in 1974 and matured for around 25 years before bottling in September 2000.

This is the hard to come by 4th release in the series, and was exclusive to the US and Asian markets.

These whiskies are highly acclaimed and desirable, including certificate and tartan insert.

Bottle number 6086.

Ardbeg 1974 Samaroli 15 Year Old

One of two releases of a 1974 vintage Ardbeg bottled for Silvano Samaroli. At 240 bottles, this is the much rarer of the two.

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 in pantheon of whisky greats.

This bottling was bottled for Samaroli in Scotland by R.W. Duthie & Co. in 1990, and is bottle number 97.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #1295

Filled into single hogshead #1295 on the 15 April 1981 and then matured for over 33 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 33 year old expression and one of only 210 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1295. Released in 2015 this bottling was only made available to World Duty Free.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 33 year old is amongst the last of its kind.

Ardbeg 1975 Intertrade 13 Year Old Sherry Wood

A stunning vintage Ardbeg, distilled on 26th June 1975 and bottled at cask strength on 13th July 1988 for Intertrade.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This is one of two cask strength 1975 vintage Arbeg bottled for Fiori. This sherry cask by Gordon & MacPhail, and another from a new oak hogshead.

Bottle number 444 of 543.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #1295

Filled into single hogshead #1295 on the 15 April 1981 and then matured for over 33 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 33 year old expression and one of only 210 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1295. Released in 2015 this bottling was only made available to World Duty Free.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 33 year old is amongst the last of its kind.

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.

Ardbeg 1975 Single Cask #4718

Vintage Ardbeg is a rare find these days and we are lucky to offer this 1975 vintage.

Sing sherry cask #4718 was filled on 26th December 1975 and bottled 20th October 1999

Bottle number 8 of 238.

Ardbeg 1976 Single Cask #2392

Distilled in 1976 and matured for 24 years in a sherry butt #2392.

This bottle was hand-bottled at cask strength by distillery manager Stuart Thomson and is number 526 of 528 bottles.

Ardbeg 1976 Single Cask #2394

A very highly sought after Ardbeg, distilled on 24th November 1976 and bottled on 18th July 2000.

Exclusively bottled by hand for the Ardbeg Committee this single cask sherry butt yielded only 466 bottles, this is bottle number 441.

Signed by Stuart Thomson.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 16 Year Old Magnum 1.5 Litre

A 16 year old Port Ellen, distilled in December 1970 and bottled by Intertrade in November August 1987. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This is 61 of 240 magnums produced.

This lot has a 2 bottle shipping fee.

Ardbeg 1992 Single Cask #2780

A single cask Ardbeg, distilled on 1972 and bottled at over 30 years old on 2004.

Bottle number 160 of 216 drawn from single cask #2781, a bourbon hogshead.

Ardbeg 1974 Single Cask #2740

A Single Cask Ardbeg filled on 14th June 1974 and bottled at cask strength 29 years later, on the 11th August 2003

Cask No.2740, one of 120 bottles.

Ardbeg 1973 Single Cask #1143

Vintage Ardbeg is a rare commodity these days and we are lucky to offer this 1973 vintage single cask.

Distilled on the 16th of March 1973 and bottled on the 22nd of December 2006 from single bourbon hogshead #1143.

Bottle Number 48 of 216.

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.

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.

Ardbeg 1975 Single Cask #1378

Vintage Ardbeg is a rare commodity these days and we are lucky to offer this 1975 vintage single cask.

Distilled on the 28th of March 1975 and bottled on the 8th of November 2006 from a single sherry butt #1378.

Bottle Number 10 of 453.

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.