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.

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.

Hanyu 1988 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7003 / Queen Of Clubs

Distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2008 from cask number 7003. 

Initially matured in hogshead prior to being finished in a new American oak hogshead.

Bottle number 35 of 330. 

Hanyu 1986 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9033 / King of Hearts

Hanyu is a closed Japanese distillery that received a new lease of life from Ichiro Akuto, who bottled the last of the stock in the iconic card range. 

Distilled in 1986 and bottled in 2009, after being aged in a hogshead then finished in a Pedro Ximenez sherry butt. 

Bottle number 33 of 444. 

Hanyu 1988 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9108 / King of Clubs​

A single cask Hanyu, distilled in 1988 and matured in a hogshead prior to being finished in an ex-Cognac cask and bottled in 2010. 

This is the King of Clubs face card in the legendary series of Playing Card bottlings by Ichiro's Malt.

Bottle number 301 of 417. 

Hanyu 1988 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9003 / King of Diamonds​

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

A single cask Hanyu distilled in 1988 and matured in a hogshead prior to being finished in an American Oak Sherry Butt and bottled in 2006. 

Bottle number 208 of 555. 

Hanyu 1986 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9023 / Ace of Diamonds

Part of the legendary Card series produced by Ichiro Akuto, this was distilled at the lost Japanese distillery of Hanyu in 1986  and bottled in 2008  from cask #9023.

This rare Hanyu was initially matured in a traditional hogshead before a second maturation in a cream sherry butt.

Bottle number 56 of 527.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9030 / Four of Diamonds

A single cask #9030 Hanyu, bottled within the Ichiro's Malt 'Card' series of whiskies.

Distilled in 2000 and matured in a hogshead before being moved into a PX sherry butt for a second maturation period. 

Bottle 325 of 546.

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.

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.

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. 

Hanyu 1990 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #466 / Queen of Spades

This Hanyu was distilled in 1990, and bottled in 2009 as part of Ichiro Akuto's legendary 'Playing Card' series. 

Initially matured in a hogshead before being finished in a port pipe. 

Bottle number 267 of 737. 

Hanyu 1988 Full Proof 'Nice Butt' Single Cask #9307

A 1988 vintage Hanyu, bottled fro Full Proof Europe with their usual, unusual label.

This is a single cask from the closed Japanese distillery, bottled in 2008.

Number 200 of 534 bottles. 

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #1305 / Five of Diamonds​

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 2000 and matured in a hogshead before being moved into a Sherry butt for a second maturation period. 

Bottle number 263 of 652.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7020 / Three of Clubs

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2009. 

Originally matured in a hogshead and then \"double new wood\" finished in two subsequent new American oak puncheons.

Bottle number 74 of 592.

Hibiki 30 Year Old Kacho Fugetsu Limited Edition

The Kacho Fugetsu Hibiki 30 year old is at the pinnacle of the Hibiki range and a prefect example of their appreciation of the beauty of Japanese nature. The special limited release was exclusive to travel retail in 2015.

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory. Here is a just a snapshot of its accolades:

• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2004 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2006 
• Word Whisky Awards 2007 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2007 
• Word Whisky Awards 2008 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2008

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.