May 2018 Auction

Johnnie Walker The Directors Blend Complete Collection 6 x 70cl

Never available at retail, this collection was only given to very important Diageo types. Very few bottles made it to the secondary market and collectors have fought to get hold of this essential part of Johnnie Walker history.

Incredibly rare, this is the complete 6 bottle collection consisting of annual releases between 2008 and 2013, each with their own unique presentation, design and character, yet all unmistakably Johnnie Walker.

• 2008 Release: ​​This grain whisky celebrates sweetness as the biggest component of any Blended Scotch.
  One of 450 bottles
  46%
   
• 2009 Release: A celebration of smokiness. This release contains Islay single malt whisky.
  One of 504 bottles
  43%
   
• 2010 Release: The rich smell of Autumn Fruit, focussed around the fruity flavours found in Johnnie Walker blends, using a generous number of sherry casks. This bottle features one of 6 different screen-printed labels by artist Lewis Moberly.
  One of 450 bottles
  65%
   
• 2011 Release: The effect of Wood on Whisky with packaging displaying the rich colour of oaked whisky, glorified through luxurious minimalism and delicate detailing. Featured in Ian Buxton's book, 101 Legendary Whiskies You're Dying to Try But (Possibly) Never Will.
  One of 504 bottles
  46%
   
• 2012 Release: Celebrating the aroma of Fresh Fruits. Instead of using the label to describe the contents of the bottle, LOVE design agency chose to use it to celebrate the recipient of the Blend, drawing inspiration from Johnnie Walker’s ‘Keep Walking’ philosophy.
  One of 504
  43%
   
• 2013 Release: Celebrating Malt and the deep resonance that aged Malts bring to the blend. Declared by Dave Broom to be one of the best whiskies of 2013.
  One of 588
  46%

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 6 bottles. 

Johnnie Walker Old Highland Whisky Circa 1907-1909 / White Label

Although not its official title at the time, this bottle of Old Highland Whisky was to become the Johnnie Walker White Label in 1909 after a re-branding exercise that saw all of their expressions renamed after their label colours and begin to feature the famous striding man, yet to appear here.

While the re-branded White Label was a 6 year old blend, the original Old Highland Whisky was a 5 year old.

The label on the bottle touts Johnnie Walker's Christchurch Exhibition award in 1907, meaning this example must have been bottled somewhere during the 2 year period between then and 1909, making this a wonderfully old bottle. It is not often that we can include the first world war when referring to pre-war whiskies!

There are no volume of ABV measurements on this bottle.

Yamazaki 1998 Single Cask #CU70066​

Single cask Yamazaki's are very rare and hard to find these days.

This was distilled in 1998 and matured in sherry butt #CU70066 until bottling in 2012.

Bottle number 116.

Yamazaki 25 Year Old

As we all know Yamazaki has ascended into one of the most desirable and sought after whiskies in the world.

This 25 year old is matured exclusively in the finest Oloroso sherry casks and presented in a very elegant, simple box.

Bottle number 27956.

Beam Suntory import for the UK market.

Yamazaki 15 Year Old Sherry Butt / Isetan

A 15 year old Yamazaki, bottled especially for Isetan from sherry casks.

Yamazaki 2000 Single Cask #ES60046 / Takashimaya Buyer's Selection

Single cask Yamazaki's are very rare and hard to find these days.

This was distilled in 2000 and matured in sherry butt #ES60046 until bottling in 2010.

Bottle number 293.

This cask was selected especially by the buyers at Japanese department store, Takashimaya.

Yoichi 1988 Single Cask 25 Year Old #100215

Ditilled in June 1988 and bottled in July 2013.

This is a 25 Year Old Single Cask from Nikka's Yoichi distillery.

Bottled at 62% from cask #100215.

LMDW import.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 75cl / US Import

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2009 / First Release

The original release of Yamazaki sherry cask, released back in 2009.

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years , the 2013 bottling recently won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 1995 Single Cask #5R70327

Single cask Yamazaki's are very rare and hard to find these days.

This was distilled in 1995 and matured in hogshead #5R70327 until bottling in 2009.

Bottle number 146 of 189.

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2014 / Japan Exclusive

Yamazaki has been thrust into the spot light after their Sherry Cask release of 2013 received the title of Best Whisky in the World title from Jim Murray.  

They release several other limited annual releases including this Mizunara matured bottling. Mizunara (Japanese Oak) is famous for imparting it's own characteristics onto the whisky stored within them such as sandalwood and other notes however it is more prone to leakage during maturation. 

This 2014 release was an exclusive to the Japanese market. 

Yamazaki 1998 Single Cask #CV70089

Single cask Yamazaki's are very rare and hard to find these days.

This was distilled in 1998 and matured in sherry butt #CV70089 until bottling in 2011.

Bottle number 182.

Jura 1965 36 Year Old

A highly sought after Isle of Jura, distilled in 1965 and bottled in this stunning and unusual packaging.

Bottle number 46 of 449, filled on 19th July 2001 from cask #590.

Signed by Michael Heads, the former distillery manager.

Jura 1969 Lord Astor

A 1969 vintage Jura, bottled by Lord Astor, otherwise known as Viscount Astor, or William Waldorf III. His family have held the Astor estate on Jura for many years and interstingly, the Viscount is planning to open up a second distillery on the Island.

If this indeed comes to pass, this private bottling may just be an important piece of its history.

There is no volume or ABV on the label.

Yamazaki 1993 Single Cask  #3Q70047 Heavily Peated

Distilled in May 1993 and bottled in June 2008, this unusually for Yamazaki is heavily peated. 

Bottle number 385 of 473.

Jefferson's 1991 Presidential Select 18 Year Old

Distilled from Wheat in the fall of 1991 and bottled 18 years later, after being aged in Stitzel Weller barrels. 

Jefferson's Reserve is a blend produced by Castle Brands, historically from whisky sourced from various distilleries. The company now owns the Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood and is increasingly warehousing more of its own stock.

Batch No. 7

Bottle No. 0059

Jefferson's 1991 Presidential Select 17 Year Old

Distilled from Wheat in the fall of 1991 and bottled 17 years later, after being aged in Stitzel-Weller barrels. 

Jefferson's Reserve is a blend produced by Castle Brands, historically from whisky sourced from various distilleries. The company now owns the Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood and is increasingly warehousing more of its own stock.

Batch no. 5, bottle no. 406.

Johnnie Walker Excelsior 75cl

Johnnie Walker Excelsior is an incredibly hard to find Johnnie walker distilled in 1947 and released at around 50 years old in 1997.

John E. Fitzgerald 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon 37.5cl

The famous bourbon brand Old Fitzgerald was named for John E. Fitzgerald.

This is their Very Special Reserve, aged 20 years and packaged in an attractive presentation box.

Distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery before it closed in the early 1990's, and bottled by Heaven Hill who purchased the brand soon after.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Limited Edition

An exclusive Japanese release of the 18 year old Yamazaki.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Limited Edition

An exclusive Japanese release of the 18 year old Yamazaki.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Limited Edition

An exclusive Japanese release of the 18 year old Yamazaki.

Yamazaki 10 Year Old Taru-Dashi Genshu​ 50cl / Suntory Pure Malt​

A limited edition bottling of Yamazaki at 57% Taru-Dashi Genshu translates approximatly to \"straight from the barrel\" 

Bottle number 01155.

Jefferson's 1991 Presidential Select 18 Year Old / DrinkUpNY

Distilled from Wheat in the fall of 1991 and bottled 18 years later, after being aged in Stitzel-Weller barrels. 

Jefferson's Reserve is a blend produced by Castle Brands, historically from whisky sourced from various distilleries. The company now owns the Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Crestwood and is increasingly warehousing more of its own stock.

Batch No. 63 is a single barrel release from cask #12, selected and bottled especially for DrinkUpNY.

Bottle No. 60.

Yamazaki 10 Year Old Taru-Dashi Genshu​ 60cl / Suntory Pure Malt​

A limited edition bottling of Yamazaki at 57% Taru-Dashi Genshu translates approximatly to \"straight from the barrel\" 

Bottle number 79380.

Jura 1973 Single Cask 30 Year Old

A stunning presentation of Isle of Jura 30 year old distilled on 10th November 1973, and matured in a single Gonzales Byass Oloroso Sherry Butt.

Single cask #3155 yielded only 468 bottles, this is bottle number 357.

Signed by Michael Head.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old

A very highly regarded malt from Japan, Yamazaki 18 year old.