March 2019 Auction

Bowmore 1966 Samaroli Bouquet

Islay's Bowmore distillery and renowned Italian bottler, the late Silvano Samaroli, are both legends in the world of the whisky. The 1966 Bouquet is the glittering supernova that is created when these two key elements of whisky history collide, at just the perfect moment in time. Regarded by many as the one of, if not the best whisky ever bottled, it is not often one of these absolute gems is brought to market.

The Bouquet is rated in first place on WhiskyBase.com's Top 1000 whiskies of all time, occasionally trading places only with another Samaroli epic, the Laphroaig 1967, also bottled for him by R.W. Duthie. Emmanuel Dron, whisky author and owner of the famous Auld Alliance bar in Singapore recently opened a bottle of the Bouquet for customers in that very venue, with enthusiasts and connoisseurs flocking from all over Asia to sample a drop of this liquid gold. And if you still need convincing, the seasoned palate of Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com awarded this Bowmore a staggering rating of 97 points. He writes:

\"Wow! Not an easy, sexy old Bowmore at all, almost a ‘bugger’ and you have to sort of tame it, but when you manage to do so, it’s just splendid. One of the very few total winners I’ve been lucky to be allowed to taste.\"

The coming together of this cask of Bowmore and Silvano Samaroli is one of those rare, chance meetings that go on to write the greatest stories. The aptly named Bouquet represents almost the resplendent blossoming of the long-growing Italian love affair with single malt Scotch whisky. Distilled in 1966, a golden era in production at Bowmore distillery, and the time when Armando Giovinetti was hard at work pushing single malt whisky in his native Italy. Samaroli founded his bottling company in Rome just two years later, in 1968. Giovinetti believed lighter, younger whisky, the Glen Grant 5 year old specifically, was best positioned to capture the hearts and taste buds of the Grappa favouring Italian public. The forward-thinking Samaroli had other ideas though. A kindred spirit with his contemporaries at W.M. Cadenhead, he believed wholeheartedly in the bottling of cask strength whisky, and Silvano's first releases were a collaborative effort with Scotland's oldest independent bottler. These were released in 1979, and were closely followed by the acclaimed Flowers series in 1981, a direct precursor to this, the Bouquet. The Flowers series, bottled with ornate illustrative labels (hand-drawn by Samaroli himself), were a sensation and finally provided Samaroli with the platform and audience he knew his whisky deserved, and in 1984, he rewarded their faith in his product with a whisky he felt they deserved, and it is possibly the greatest ever bottled.

Bottle number 91 of 720.

Bowmore 1965 Oloroso Sherry Cask 52 Year Old / Bottle #2

A spectacular whisky, this 1965 vintage Bowmore was produced just after the distillery had its steam heated stills installed. Since then it has been maturing at the distillery in a single Oloroso sherry cask for over 52 years!

This is the third release in Bowmore's fifty-year Vault series and is immaculately presented in a hand crafted Scottish oak cabinet.

The decanter is number 2 of only 232 released globally.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 42 Year Old

Arguably the most famous of all Bowmore's, one of the most collectible and most memorable whiskies on the market.  The Black Bowmore is an icon of whisky collecting, whisky drinking and whisky investing!

This is the first of the more recent releases from this famous Bowmore vintage, officially released in 2007 at 42 years of age in an impressive wooden presentation case.

The Black Bowmore was followed by the slightly older, Gold and White Bowmore.

Bottle number 184 of only 827 produced.

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.

Bowmore 1964 White Bowmore 43 Year Old

The second in this famous series, the White Bowmore was matured exclusively in Bourbon casks to create a comparison to the more famous Oloroso Sherry casked Black Bowmore.

Bottled at 42.8%

Bottle number 235 of 732 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Gold Bowmore 44 Year Old

Bottled in 2009, the third and final in this famous series, the Gold Bowmore was matured in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, to provide a comparison to the more famous Oloroso casks.

Bottled at 42.4%.

Bottle number 644 of 701 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Gold Bowmore 44 Year Old

Bottled in 2009, the third and final in this famous series, the Gold Bowmore was matured in a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, to provide a comparison to the more famous Oloroso casks.

Bottled at 42.4%.

Bottle number 631 of 701 bottles.

Bowmore 1957 38 Year Old

Distilled back in January 1957, this was matured in Bowmore's Number One Vault. The whisky was matured for 38 years and then bottled due to the risk of the liquid falling bellow 40% ABV.

This is bottle number 522 of 861.

Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherriff's 1960s

An incredibly rare Bowmore, presented in a wonderful pear shaped glass bottle. Likely released in the 1960s, with a similar capsule to that found on the 7 year old Sherriff's bottling.

The liquid inside has been bottled at 18 years of age, making it likely to have been distilled in the late 1940s when the distillery was owned by J.B. Sherriff & Co.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore / Final Edition / Leaking

An icon of the whisky world, it's hard to fathom where whisky collecting would be today without the Black Bowmore. 

Distilled in 1964 and matured within Oloroso sherry casks before bottling in 1995. This is the last of three Black Bowmore released in the mid-nineties. 

This is bottle number 997 of 1812.

Bowmore 1963 30th Anniversary

An incredibly special 30 year old bottling of single malt from Islay's oldest distillery, Bowmore.

This was distilled in 1963, the same year the distillery was purchased by Stanley P. Morrison, and was bottled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this event, at as many years old.

This is bottle 518 from the limited edition run.

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.

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.

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.

Brora 1972 Rare Malt 22 Year Old / 58.7%

The Rare Malt Selection is a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

It is often said that 1972 Brora is exceptional, and this is one of five Rare Malts of that vintage. The 1972 continued to be an important vintage when Diageo also released a 40 year old of the same vintage. 

The formerly named Clynelish distillery was reopened, after a brief hiatus, in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted to the lighter peated Highland style.

Since its closure in 1983 the popularity of Brora has soared, this is a fantastic opportunity to own an historic bottle.

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch #1 (Distillery Exclusive)

The original Balvenie Tun 1401  hand-selected by Malt Master David Stewart. Four traditional whisky casks and two sherry butts are combined and rested for several months in Tun 1401 – The Balvenie’s traditional oak marrying vessel.

Batch 1 of the Balvenie Tun 1401 was only available at Balvenie distillery and consists of the casks shown below.

Bottle Ref No. 33 / 336

Seven traditional whisky casks
(1966, 1974, 1978 and 1988)
#2385
#17707
#13234
#3402
 

Two sherry butts
(1973 and 1972)
#5238
#8555

Bowmore 1967 Sherry Casks Full Strength / Soffiantino Import

A 1967 vintage sherry cask matured Bowmore bottled at full strength.

1960's sherry cask Bowmore vintages come highly recommended by those lucky enough to try them. 

Soffiantino import for the Italian market. 

Brora 1972 Rare Malt 22 Year Old / 58.7%

The Rare Malt Selection is a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

It is often said that 1972 Brora is exceptional, and this is one of five Rare Malts of that vintage. The 1972 continued to be an important vintage when Diageo also released a 40 year old of the same vintage. 

The formerly named Clynelish distillery was reopened, after a brief hiatus, in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted to the lighter peated Highland style.

Since its closure in 1983 the popularity of Brora has soared, this is a fantastic opportunity to own an historic bottle.

Bowmore Bicentenary Cask Strength / Fecchio & Frassa

An extremely rare Bowmore released for their Bicentenary in 1979. This was created for Fecchio & Frassa and the Italian market.

The whisky is rumoured to be from 1969 but this is not stated on the bottle. 

Bottled at a cask strength of 56.2%. 

There are two other releases bearing this label as well, a pair of 1969 vintage single sherry casks bottled exclusively for Mr. Federico Minnetti.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 30 Year Old

One of Brora distillery's legendary 1972 vintages. This was bottled in 2003 by Douglas Laing for their Old & Rare range, when it was still part of their portfolio. The label has been bottled by Hunter Laing since 2013.

Brora was reopened after a brief hiatus in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style.

Brora distillery, formerly known as Clynelish has been closed since 1983, after a new distillery was built next-door in 1967, and eventually assumed the Clynelish name and sole distilling responsibilities. The original distillery bottlings are now increasingly sought after.

Bottle 160 of 222.

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.

Bowmore 1973 43 Year Old​

A 2016 super-premium Bowmore bottling.

Vatting the last 6 remaining bourbon hogsheads of 1973, this joins the ranks of some impressive bottles from that vintage. 

Casks 3883-3888 were distilled on the 10th of May 1973 and bottled on the 2nd of June 2016 at a staggering 43 years old.

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.

Bowmore 1957 Moon Import / Crest Label

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.

A 1957 vintage bottle of Bowmore. This is one of two from Islay's oldest distillery bottled in this series, the other being what is believed to be the only 1962 vintage Bowmore ever released. The series was bottled in 1990.

Bottle number 91 of 120. 

Bowmore 1965 Sherry Casks Full Strength / Soffiantino Import

A 1965 vintage sherry cask matured Bowmore.

1960s sherry cask Bowmore vintages come highly recommended by those lucky enough to try them. 

Soffiantino import for the Italian market.

Bowmore 1957 Moon Import / Crest Label

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.

A 1957 vintage bottle of Bowmore. This is one of two from Islay's oldest distillery bottled in this series, the other being what is believed to be the only 1962 vintage Bowmore ever released. The series was bottled in 1990.

Bottle number 102 of 120. 

Brora 1970 Douglas Laing 34 Year Old

This is one of only two casks ever bottled from 1970, a year of very low production (apparently), and is particularly sought after as no other bottling of Brora exists (that carries the name 'Brora') from before this date.

Douglas Laing were fortunate enough to bottle two casks, this 34 year old and another two years earlier as a 32 year old.

Brora was distilling heavily peated single malt at this time, to make up for a shortfall in Islay whisky caused by a drought. Vintages from 1973 onwards revert to the lightly peated Highland style.

Bottle 59 of only 157 filled in 2004.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old

A cask strength Brora, distilled in 1972 and bottled in 2002 at 29 years old by Douglas Laing as part of their Old and Rare Platinum Selection. 

Brora was reopened after a brief hiatus in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style. The distillery, formerly known as the original Clynelish, has been closed since 1983

One of 240 bottles,

Bowmore 1965 Sherry Casks Full Strength 

A 1965 vintage sherry cask matured Bowmore.

1960s sherry cask Bowmore vintages come highly recommended by those lucky enough to try them.