March 2019 Auction

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s

Classic Laphroaig, bottled during the 1970s. 

Well regarded by those lucky enough to have tasted it.

Lagavulin 1991 Casks of Distinction 27 Year Old #1515

A single cask Lagavulin, distilled in 1991 and matured in Hogshead cask number 1515.

This Lagavulin 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.

Bottled in 2018, this is bottle number 095 of 222. 

Ladyburn - Rare Ayrshire 1974 Signatory Vintage 44 Year Old Cask Strength / 30th Anniverary

Rare Ayrshire is a rare release from this unusual single malt distillery.  

Produced at Girvan distillery, Ladyburn/Rare Ayrshire was only operational for 9 years between 1966 and 1975.  

This was distilled on 10th May 1974 and then matured in bourbon barrel #2606 until bottling on 8th of June 2018 for the 30th anniversary of Signatory Vintage.

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.

Set 27 of 122, all of which include two branded Glencairn glasses.

Longrow 1973 Moon Import / The Birds II

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.

Moon Import released two The Birds series, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. This is the 1973 vintage Longrow, the peated expression produced at Springbank distillery. 1973 was the first year that Longrow was distilled there.

Bottle 284 of 600.

Laphroaig 1987 Single Cask 17 Year Old #4299 / Feis Ile 2004 

These earlier Feis Ile releases are a real rarity and don't often find their way to auction.

Released at Laphroaig distillery during the Feis Ile in 2004, this single cask was selected by Master Blender Robert Hicks as representing the best example of 1987 distillate.

With only 250 bottles produced this is a far cry from the run number of most contemporary Feis Ile bottlings.

Bottle number 200.

Includes certificate of authenticity.

Longrow 1973

An iconic and increasingly sought-after bottling, this is one of the first distillations of peated spirit from Springbank released under the Longrow name. 

Bottled at some point in the 1980s.

Longrow 1987 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 Longrow was distilled at Springbank in 1987 and was likely bottled from Samaoli's large stock of this vintage. He was an early champion of the peated Springbank spirit.

The pixelation of the two names on the label is presumed to have been an unfortunate printing error. Mongiardino has personally informed us that Dreams was his favourite series.

Bottle 620 of 967 filled in 1999.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s

Classic Laphroaig, bottled during the 1970's. 

Well regarded by those lucky enough to have tasted it.

Laphroaig 1992 Single Cask 13 Year Old #228 / Feis Ile 2005

These earlier Feis Ile releases are a real rarity and don't often find their way to auction.

Released at Laphroaig distillery during the Feis Ile in 2005.

Cask number 228 was filled on 16th January 1992.

With only 170 bottles produced this is a far cry from the run number of most contemporary Feis Ile bottlings.

Bottle number 24.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s

Classic Laphroaig, bottled during the 1970's. 

Well regarded by those lucky enough to have tasted it.

Laphroaig 30 Year Old Cairdeas

Exclusively only available at Laphroaig distillery or on their website this 30 year old Cairdeas release is a combination of approximately 60% sherry casks and 40% bourbon casks, which were then married together in bourbon casks before bottling.

This is bottle 958 of 1,536.

Certificate included.

Cairdeas, pronounced [car-chuss] means \"friendship\" in gaelic.

Lagavulin 1993 Single Cask / Feis Ile 2007

The first ever Lagavulin single cask release for the Feis Ile, available exclusively at the distillery on Islay.

Distilled in 1993 and drawn from the cask on 18th of April 2007. Cask #4893 was selected by warehouseman Iain McArthur.

Bottle number 341. 

Lagavulin 1985 Cask Strength 21 Year Old

A truly legendary Lagavulin, released in 2007 within Diageo's Super Premium selection.

Distilled in 1985 and bottled as a 21 year old at cask strength, this is incredibly highly acclaimed, a must for any Lagavulin collector or drinker - if you haven't tasted this, you should!  

Bottle 2381 of 6642.

Lagavulin 1985 Cask Strength 21 Year Old

A truly legendary Lagavulin, released in 2007 within Diageo's Super Premium selection.

Distilled in 1985 and bottled as a 21 year old at cask strength, this is incredibly highly acclaimed, a must for any Lagavulin collector or drinker - if you haven't tasted this, you should!  

Bottle 3856 of 6642.

Longrow 1973 Moon Import / The Birds II

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.

Moon Import released two The Birds series, the first in 1987 and the second in 1990. This is the 1973 vintage Longrow, the peated expression produced at Springbank distillery. 1973 was the first year that Longrow was distilled there.

Bottle 35 of 600.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old White horse 1970s / Carpano Import

A rare bottle of Lagavulin 12 year old bottled by White Horse Distillers from the late 1970s, carrying the royal warrant to Her Majesty the Queen.

'Specially Selected Lagavulin Pure Islay Malt Scotch Whisky White Horse Distillers Ltd'

Carpano import for the Italian market.

Laphroaig 30 Year Old 

This is the original release of the Laphroaig 30 year old, bottled back in 2000.  

The single malt comprising this release will all have been distilled back in the days when Laphroaig floor malted 100% of its own barley, as opposed ot the minority share that it uses in its mash nowadays.

L'Or de Jean Martell Cognac 

L'Or de Jean Martell is a truly exceptional Cognac. Created from eaux-de-vie from both the Grande Champagne and Borderies terroir, over 400 have gone into the blend - some of which are over 100 years old.

Displayed in a beautiful decanter crafted by Cristal de Sèvres. This is bottle number 0185-M

Lagavulin 1997 Casks of Distinction 21 Year Old #1

This is a marriage of 1997 vintage Lagavulin single malt, vatted into a single select cask #1.

Bottled for the European Lagavulin fans; Boris Borisov, Floris Kooistra, Bram van Glabbeek, Sebastian Jaeger, Ronny Wettervik and Rolf-Harald Haugen. 

This Lagavulin 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.

Bottle number 27 of 158. 

Lagavulin 1997 Casks of Distinction 21 Year Old #1

This is a marriage of 1997 vintage Lagavulin single malt, vatted into a single select cask #1.

Bottled for the European Lagavulin fans; Boris Borisov, Floris Kooistra, Bram van Glabbeek, Sebastian Jaeger, Ronny Wettervik and Rolf-Harald Haugen. 

This Lagavulin 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.

Bottle number 33 of 158. 

Lagavulin 1997 Casks of Distinction 20 Year Old #1

This is a marriage of 1997 vintage Lagavulin single malt, vatted into a single select cask #1.

Bottled for the TDW Whisky Club in China. 

This Lagavulin 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.

Bottled in 2017, this is bottle number 135 of 252. 

Lagavulin 12 Year Old White Horse 1980s / Montenegro Import

A spectacular 1980's White Horse bottling of 12 year old Lagavulin.

These White Horse bottlings are highly sought after, the 12 year olds especially so!

Italian import.