May 2016 Auction

Johnnie Walker and Sons Signature Blend by Jenson Button

Created as part of the 'Step inside the Circuit' campaign to celebrate the success of Johnnie Walker sponsoring the Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 Team. Driver Jenson Button visited the Johnnie Walker House in Shanghai where he selected his favourite flavours and scents, which were to become the basis for the Signature blend created by JW Master Blender, Jim Beveridge.

Limited to only 25 bottles, which were available to purchase by invitation only.

Bottle comes attractively packaged, including Formula 1 wheel nut, decanter stopper, and presentation booklet.

Please note condition of lot as pictured, including light scratches to the back of the presentation box.

Yamazaki 1960 'The Century' 40 Year Old / Suntory

We are very excited to offer you this 1960 vintage Yamazaki, which has rarely been seen at auction around the world.

An exceptional whisky,  'The Century', was distlled on 31st March 1960 and matured in a single Mizunara cask #ZD0550.  This fortunate Mizunara cask was stored within warehouse 11 at Yamazaki distillery.  

This cask had been looked after by three master blenders in Suntory, however it eventually came down to 'Chief Blender' Seiichi Koshimizu and in consulation with the president of Suntory Shinichiro Torii that single cask #ZD0550 would become Suntory's first single cask single malt whisky - bottled in 2000 to mark the companies 100 year anniversary and the turn of a new Millennium.

Only 300 bottles were produced and presented in a wooden box, which apparently was produced from the oak cask used to mature the whisky.  

The crystal decanter was hand-blown and hand-cut by experienced craftsmen from Kagami Crystal Company Ltd.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask 3 x 70cl / Samurai / #6432 / #7843 / #3622

This lot consists of:

• Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #6432 30 Year Old / Samurai 70cl 
• Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #7843 30 Year Old / Samurai 70cl
• Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #3622 30 Year Old / Samurai 70cl

Please note there is a shipping charge for 3 bottles with this lot.

Karuizawa 1983 Single Cask #8333 / 68 Bottles

From this incredibly popular lost Japanese distillery, which has produced so many internationally acclaimed malts.

Distilled in 1983 and bottled in 2013 from a single sherry butt #8333.

One of only 68 bottles. 

Bowmore 1964 'Black Bowmore' Final Edition

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

Distilled on the 5th November 1964 and matured within Oloroso sherry casks then bottled in 1995, this is the last of three Black Bowmores released in the mid-nineties. 

This is bottle number 1578 of 1812.

Please note tax seal condition.

Karuizawa 1999 / 2000 Cask Strength Collection 4 x 70cl

Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #2339 distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2015 after maturation is a sherry cask. 61.1%, One of 225 bottles.

Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #7221 distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2016 after maturation is a sherry cask. 59.0%. One of 367 bottles.

Distilled 1999 and bottled 2015, This is from Single Sherry Cask #2332 and bottled at a cask strength of 58.5%. 

Distilled 1999 and bottled 2016, This is from Single Sherry Cask #895 and bottled at a cask strength of 58.5%. 

Please note there will be a charge for shipping four bottles. 

Karuizawa 1999 / 2000 Cask Strength Collection 4 x 70cl

Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #2339 distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2015 after maturation is a sherry cask. 61.1%, One of 225 bottles.

Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #7221 distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2016 after maturation is a sherry cask. 59.0%. One of 367 bottles.

Distilled 1999 and bottled 2015, This is from Single Sherry Cask #2332 and bottled at a cask strength of 58.5%. 

Distilled 1999 and bottled 2016, This is from Single Sherry Cask #895 and bottled at a cask strength of 58.5%. 

Please note there will be a charge for shipping four bottles.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old

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 Serge Valentin, a whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Ben Ellefsen, Sales Director for Master of Malt, 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 the Wealth Solutions, Poland.

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

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955 / Whisky Live Taipei 2010

Distilled in 1968 in the now long closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled in 2010. 

Matured in a sherry butt this is an older single cask release exclusivley for Whisky Live Taipei 2010. 

Bottle number 123 of 428. 

Please note condition of the box.

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955 / Whisky Live Taipei 2010

Distilled in 1968 in the now long closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled in 2010. 

Matured in a sherry butt this is an older single cask release exclusivley for Whisky Live Taipei 2010. 

Bottle number 120 of 428. 

Please note minor crease in box.

Karuizawa 31 Year Old Single Sherry Cask #3555

A 31 year old single sherry cask matured Karuizawa that was one of two Karuizawas released at the 2013 Whisky Show London.

While there was 350 of the Bourbon bottling, this a sherry matured release was much more limited at only 108 bottles.  

Kawasaki 1981 Ichiro's Choice 

One of the very rare bottlings of Kawasaki by Ichirio Akuto. Only a handful of single casks have ever been bottled from this lost Japanese grain distillery.

This lot combines both the 1981 and 1982 vintages from Ichiro.

Please note shipping will be for two bottles.

Macallan 'M'

The final premium release within Macallan's 1824 series of whiskies.  

In true Macallan fashion the M Decanter is incredibly elegant and impressive to look at, without even considering the contents.  The crystal decanter is designed by Fabien Baron a well known French Director and Art Director and created by Lalique.  It is one of the more difficult decanters to produce as it requires a 15 stage finishing process.

The Macallan M is limited to only 1,750 bottles each year and carries Macallan's reputation of exceptional quality whisky proudly.

Please note Russian Tax seal.

Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Oak

A very rare and hugely popular edition of Macallan 30 year old, released in the eye catching bright blue box with blue and gold labelling.

Please note general condition of the box.

75cl US Import

Karuizawa 1984 Noh Cask 30 Year Old Single Cask #2030

From this incredibly popular lost Japanese distillery, which has produced so many internationally acclaimed malts.

Distilled in 1984 and bottled from a Sherry cask #2030 in 2015.

One of 522 bottles. 

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #4201 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 358 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 Noh Cask 30 Year Old Single Cask #2030

From this incredibly popular lost Japanese distillery, which has produced so many internationally acclaimed malts.

Distilled in 1984 and bottled from a Sherry cask #2030 in 2015.

One of 522 bottles. 

Karuizawa 1999 Single Cask #895 and Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #7721

Karuizawa 1999 Cask Strength Single Cask #895 Distilled in 1999 in 2000 and bottled in 2016 after maturation is a sherry cask. 59.0%. One of 320 bottles.

Karuizawa 2000 Cask Strength Single Cask #7721 distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2016 after maturation is a sherry cask. 59.0%. One of 367 bottles.

Please note there is a shipping charge for two bottles with this lot.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Single Cask #5347

One of the recent Karuizawa bottlings exclusive to attendees of The Whisky Show, London and carries a stunning depiction of a Geisha, only half though - the other half is found on a sister bottling from the bourbon cask #8897.

Produced from single sherry cask #5347.

Please note the condition of this box.

Talisker 1973 28 Year Old Single Cask Oddbins' Exclusive

At the time of release, the 100 bottles of this were from the oldest casks at Talisker.  Exclusive to Oddbins, this very, very limited release of Talisker sold out within hours and has been one of the rarest Taliskers since. Includes the original leaflet that Oddbins produced to promote the whisky. 

There were only 100 bottles of this released, this bottle does not carry a bottle number.

Cask number #4633

Please note the condition of this lot.

Ladyburn 1974 40 Year Old Batch #1 and Batch #2

The Ladyburn Distillery was built in 1966 by William Grant & Sons Ltd and only operated for a very short period until November 15th 1975.  

Their have been very few bottlings from Ladyburn, these official bottles are 40 years old and were released for the Taiwan market. Batch one was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 2014. Batch Two was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 2015, it is bottle number 336 of 1250 bottles. 

Please note there will be a shipping charge for two bottles. 

Springbank Door Gods

A very interesting lot for our latest auction, this is a combination of the first, second  and third edition Springbank 'Door Gods' released exclusively for the Single Malt Club China, Taiwanese market.

These six single cask, cask strength whiskies were named according to a Chinese custom, where each household is decorated with paintings to bring luck and happiness.  Paintings of these 'Door Gods' are placed on external doors and can be in many forms such as, military, civilian, animal or child gods.  The paintings are usually brightly coloured and exaggerated, this lot has two scrolls depicting the most commonly used Door Gods, of 'Chin Chiong and Yu Chi Gong'.

The First Edition

These whiskies are released with a wealth of information, relating to their luxiourious nature and rarity.  The first edition is two single casks selected by Charles Maclean, world reknowned whisky critic and author.  The Door God scrolls artwork was provided by New Year art collector 'Yin Qi' and replicated for this limited release of 246 editions.

Both whiskies were drawn from a single fresh port hogshead, with cask numbers #150 and 449.  Cask #150 was distilled on 2nd December 1994 and bottled on 18th June 2013 at 18 years old with a strength of 52.5%.  Cask #449 was distilled on 1st December 1994 and bottled on 18th June 2013 at 17 years old at a strength of 50.9%

Limited to only 246 bottles.

The Second Edition

The second release of the Door God series was released early 2015, following the success of the first release.  This release depicts the civil gods 'Jia Guan' and 'Jin Jue',  the word 'Jue' has a double meaning of a drinking vessel while also refering to ranks of nobility.  The civil gods in modern times are focused on advancement of careers and positions.

This time around the whiskies were drawn from two sherry casks both filled in 1996 and bottled at 18 years old, with cask numbers #590 and #12/405-14.  Cask #590 was released at a strength of 55.6% while cask #12/405-14, a sherry hogshead was released at a strength of 52.7%.

Limited to only 228 bottles.

The Third Edition

The third release of the Door God series was released in 2015, following the success of the first release and second release.  This release depicts the gods of Fertility and Longevity,  the image on these Springbank's depicts a child holding pomegranates which signifies many children (hence fertility) while the image on the right holds peaches, a symbol of good health and longevity.

This time around the whiskies were drawn from two bourbon casks both filled in 1996 and bottled at 19 and 20 years old.  These two single casks were bottled at full strength. 

Limited to only 222 bottles.

Please note there is a shipping charge for 6 bottles with this lot.

Please note minor scratch to one box and one bottle has leaked slightly. 

Karuizawa 1981 31 Year Old Noh Single Cask #348

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim, this one perhaps more than most!

It is amazing that we still see single casks of Karuizawa being released, this 1981 vintage was bottled in 2013 as a 31 year from a sherry butt.

Only 207 bottles were produced.

Macallan No.6 

The latest addition to Macallan's 1824 series, the No.6 represents the six pillars of Macallan; 

• Easter Elchies - The Spiritual Home of Macallan
• Curiously small stills
• The finest spirit cut 
• Exceptional oak casks
• Natural colour
• Peerless spirit

This impressive whisky is a labour of love between Macallan and Lalique, producing this stunning decanter and presentation case.  

Hanyu 1991 Eight of Diamonds Single Cask #9302

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 1991 and bottled in 2009, after being aged in a hogshead then finished in a Spanish Oloroso sherry butt.

Bottle number 2 of 595.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years , this whisky recently won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

Approx 16,000 bottles were released.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #2100

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

Another cracking single cask from Karuizawa, distilled in 1981 and bottled 30 years later in 2012. This was matured in a sherry butt and released for the Taiwanese. 

Bottle number 196 of 409. 

Please note condition of box and seal. 

Glen Garioch 1975 Samaroli for Duthie / 30th Anniversary

A 1975 vintage Glen Garioch bottled by Samaroli to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Milanese Delicatessen 'Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone'

A great example of the older style, heavily peated, intense Glen Garioch bottled circa 1987.

Bottle No. 174

Karuizawa 1980 32 Year Old Noh Cask Single Cask #3565

As with many of the Karuizawa bottlings that we list in our auctions, the labels are fantastic! 

This is a single cask distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2013.

Single cask #3565 an sherry butt that yielded 335 bottles.

Old Fitzgerald 86 Proof 1960

A popular bourbon produced in Louisville. This is an older bottling from 1960 as indicated by 60 on the bottom of the bottle. 86 Proof for export to the Italian Market.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #7843 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 458 bottles.

Karuizawa 1980 32 Year Old Noh Cask Single Cask #3565

As with many of the Karuizawa bottlings that we list in our auctions, the labels are fantastic! 

This is a single cask distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2013.

Single cask #3565 an sherry butt that yielded 335 bottles.