March 2019 Auction

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. 

Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood Full Proof

This is one of Silvano Samaroli's earliest forays into the realm of independent bottling, following his successful collaboration with Cadenhead's in 1979. This was bottled in the same year. As an official Italian distributor for Glen Garioch, Samaroli had great access to top quality casks and it shows here.

Glen Garioch was a peaty single malt in the 1970s, and this is considered one of the finest examples of balancing the strong characters produced by peat and sherry casks, along with another Samaroli classic, the Laphroaig 1967.

This is the first of two 1971 vintage Glen Garioch released by Silvano, bottled at full proof. The second was single cask homage to this, bottled much later in 1997 at a lighter 43%.

Bottle number 1598 of 2280 produced.

Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood Full Proof

This is one of Silvano Samaroli's earliest forays into the realm of independent bottling, following his successful collaboration with Cadenhead's in 1979. This was bottled in the same year. As an official Italian distributor for Glen Garioch, Samaroli had great access to top quality casks and it shows here.

Glen Garioch was a peaty single malt in the 1970s, and this is considered one of the finest examples of balancing the strong characters produced by peat and sherry casks, along with another Samaroli classic, the Laphroaig 1967.

This is the first of two 1971 vintage Glen Garioch released by Silvano, bottled at full proof. The second was single cask homage to this, bottled much later in 1997 at a lighter 43%.

Bottle number 1688 of 2280 produced.

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.

Glenfarclas 21 Year Old Cask Strength 1970s / Edward and Edward

Produced for the European markets, this square bottled Glenfarclas is very hard to come by. 

This bottle was specially selected for legendary Italian bar owner, Edoardo Giaccone. It was was imported by Co. Import, Pinerolo.

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.

Bottle number 107.

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.

Johnnie Walker The Directors Blend 2008

Never available at retail, the Johnnie Walker Directors Blends were only given to very important Diageo types. Very few bottles made it to the secondary market and collectors have fought to get hold of these essential parts of Johnnie Walker history.

Bottle number 429 of 450. 

Glen Ord 1962 Samaroli Bouquet

An exceptionally rare and highly sought after release from the legendary Italian bottler, Samaroli.

This cask strength Glen Ord was distilled in 1962 and bottled for Samaroli by longtime partners, R.W. Duthie of Aberdeen, in 1984.

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.

This is part of a small series called the Bouquet, and contains only one other release, the classic Bowmore 1966 which many believe to be one of the greatest ever bottled.

Highly acclaimed, Serge Valentin awarded this 92 points on WhiskyFun, and collector and connoisseur, Emmanuel Dron, declares it the best Glen Ord ever bottled and one of his favourite whiskies.

Bottle number 390 of 720. 

Glenury Royal 1953 50 Year Old

There are very few official bottling of this rare Highland malt, which closed its doors for the last time in 1985.

This spectacular sherried 1953 vintage Glenury was bottled as a 50 year old.  

Bottle number 11 of only 498.

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.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Serge Valentin, along with Sales Director for Master of Malt, Ben Ellefsen, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by WhiskyFun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

Bottle number 97 of 400.

Glenfarclas 1954 Family Cask #1253

One of the oldest recent releases in the Family Cask range by Glenfarclas.  This Autiumn 2013 released was distilled in 1954 and bottled from a single sherry butt #1253 on 27th June 2013.

One of 424 bottles.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Serge Valentin, along with Sales Director for Master of Malt, Ben Ellefsen, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by WhiskyFun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

Bottle number 75 of 400.

Glenfiddich 1959 Private Vintage 

A stunning single cask bottling of 1959 vintage Glenfiddich, which was selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master and hand bottled on 9th August 2006 after over 46 years of maturation in cask #3934.

Presented in a crafted cherry wood case with certificate, this is bottle number 176.

Specially selected for World of Whiskies.

Please note that the bottle numbers on the bottle and box presented here do not match.

Glendronach 26 Year Old Trump International Scotland / Signed by President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump

Political views aside, these bottlings have become incredibly sought after.  

This bottle is signed by the current President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. These bottles were randomly selected and signed over the last few year by Trump, explaining the slightly different variations.

This very rare single cask Glendronach was bottled to commemorate the launch of Trump International Golf Links, Scotland. 

Bottled on the 25th of June 2012 from single cask #1036.

Only 504 bottles were released, each bottle is numbered within the certificate/card inside the box, this is bottle number 203.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Rare Collection

A fantastic 40 year old single malt produced by Glenfiddich.

Selected by Glenfiddich Malt Master, who hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting; a process known as ‘remnant vatting’. Glenfiddich claim to be the only distillery to use such a process.

Bottled in 2000, this is bottle number 474 of 600. 

Presented in a lockable wooden box with key included.

Glenfarclas 1957 Family Cask #2110

The Family Cask range was launched early in 2007 with a cask for each year from 1952 until 1994.

This release was matured in a sherry hogshead and bottled on 28th November 2014 as one of 159 bottles. 

John Walker and Sons 30 Year Old Master Blenders Collection / Art Deco Era

This spectacular presentation is part of the John Walker and Sons premium releases from Johnnie Walker.

Part of the Master Blenders Collection, this 30 year old Scotch pays tribute to Sir Alexander Walker, former Master Blender and son of Johnnie himself.

This is the Art Deco Era release, and comes in an exquisite lock and key box with art deco detailing, and a crystal decanter.

One of 1438 bottles.

Released exclusively to Johnnie Walker House stores in the Asian market.

Glenfarclas 1958 Family Cask #2065

As part of the hugely popular 'Family Cask' range, this Glenfarclas was distilled in 1958 and aged for over 40 years in a sherry hogshead #2065 until bottling on the 9th July 2014

One of 138 bottles.

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.

Glenfarclas 1958 Family Cask #2065 / Autumn 2014

As part of the hugely popular 'Family Cask' range, this Glenfarclas was distilled in 1958 and aged for over 40 years in a sherry hogshead #2065 until bottling on the 9th July 2014.

One of 138 bottles.

Glen Garioch 13 Year Old Samaroli / Handwritten Labels

A 13 year old expression from Highland distillery Glen Garioch. This is likely a 1975 vintage. Samaroli bought many casks from that year, and developed the Coilltean label as a means of bottling it while keeping variety to his output. A similar sentiment has probably been the reason her has opted for an age statement rather than the expected vintage here. 

Bottled in 1988 by R. W. Duthie for Samaroli, from Fino sherry casks.

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 238.

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #19 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for Nippon Airways. 

The original Glendronach 25 year old from 1968 was described by Serge Valentin from Whisky Fun as a 'A tremendous sherry monster''. He scored it 90 points.

Cask #19, bottle number 338 of only 498. 

Glenfarclas 1959 Family Cask #1822 / Winter 2015

Bottled as part of the extensive Glenfarclas Family Cask range of vintage whiskies.

Distilled in 1959 and bottled on the 25th August 2015. 

One of 127 bottles drawn from a single sherry hogshead #1822.

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #15 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for Nippon Airways. 

This is the original Glendronach 25 year old from 1968, which Serge Valentin from WhiskyFun explains is 'A tremendous sherry monster', scoring 90 points.

Cask #15, bottle number 198of only 490. 

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old Silver Stag's Head Decanter

An 1980s bottling of Glenfiddich 30 Year Old in a crystal decanter with a replacement stopper made from hallmarked solid silver in the shape of a stag's head.

A very elegant and ornate presentation that was ahead of its time.

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.