May 2018 Auction

Old Rip Van Winkle 12 Year Old Old Time Rye / Rinaldi Import

The old style Rip Van Winkle 12 Year Old which is extremely rare. This was bottled in 1997 using whisky from Medley distillery and bottled by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg. The following year, the same reserves were bottled as the 13 year old Family Reserve Rye, which became an annual release with the same age statement, despite continuing to age in cask for a further five years before being tanked at 19 years old in 2004. Later releases of Van Winkle rye are blended with Bernheim's Cream of Kentucky, and Buffalo Trace distilled whiskey, making this original release incredibly sought after.

As popular and impressive as the older members of this legendary family of whiskies.

This 70cl was imported to the US market by Fratelli Rinaldi.

Old Vandegrift 1917 Pure Whisky 1 Pint / Pre-Prohibition​

This was distilled in the Spring of 1917 at Hammond Distillery in Indiana, and was presumably some of their last whiskey given they were forced to close down when Prohibition was enacted in April that year.

Hammond Distillery has an infamous subsequent history of association with illicit bootlegging and smuggling, attributed to none other than Al Capone.

The whiskey used for this was likely saved from the hands of prohibition gangland by the Pennsylvania Distillery Inc, who bonded it in New York and bottled it in 1934 under a special medicinal license, despite the fact prohibition had already been repealed a year earlier.

Old Heaven Hill 28 Year Old / Japanese Import

An old Japanese import of some impressively aged Kentucky bourbon.

Bottled in the very early 1990s at 28 years old, this is named Old Heaven Hill, and was distilled (although they could not have known at the time) what is now Old Heaven Hill distillery. The original Heaven Hill site would tragically burn down around 5 years after this was produced.

A new Heaven Hill distillery was then established through the purchase and renaming of Bernheim distillery from United Distillers.

Old Fitzgerald Bonded 6 Year Old Classic Decanter / Stitzel-Weller​

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled and bottled at the original Stitzel-Weller Distillery, before it closed and production of 'Old Fitz' was moved to Heaven Hill. 

The distillation date on the tax seal is badly faded, however the bottling date appears to be 1972, making the distillation year roughly 1966, consistent with other examples of this bottle. If this is the date, the whiskey was likely barreled by Julien Van Winkle II, who took over as master distiller following the death of his father in 1965.

Imported to the Italian market by D&C, Bologna.

Oban 16 Year Old Manager's Dram Bicentenary 1994

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo.  These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength.

Bottled to celebrate Oban’s 200th anniversary, 1794 – 1994  this 16 year old was released exclusively from sherry casks by distillery manager John William and his employees listed on the rear of the bottle.

Bottled July 1994.

Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Prime Bourbon Half Pint 1970s

A popular bourbon produced at Stitzel Weller distillery. This is an older bottling of the 7 year old product from the 1970's. At this time the distillery was still run by the Van Winkle family and this would have been barreled by Julien Van Winkle II.

The Old Fitzgerland brand is now owned and produced by Heaven Hill, with these older Stitzel-Weller productions becoming real collector's items.

Old Weller Antique Original 107 Brand 7 Year Old 1980s

W L Weller is the original wheated bourbon, produced at the famous Stitzel-Weller distillery.

Imported for the Italian market.

Old Parr Elizabethan / includes The Golden Age Book

A very rare and stunning bottle of Old Parr Elizabethan, presented in a hand blown bottle, each side showing a different historical figure; Thomas Parr, James I, Elizabeth I and Henry VIII.

Bottled to commemorate the Elizabethan era of British history.

Only 252 bottles of this elegant decanter were produced.

Lot includes a hardbacked book called The Golden Age, with brief chapters on Elizabethan music, literature and sport, among others.

Old Fitzgerald 6 Year Old 1970s

A popular bourbon produced at Stitzel Weller distillery. This is an older bottling of the 6 year old product from the 1970s. At this time the distillery was still run by the Van Winkle family and this would have been barreled by Julien Van Winkle II.

86 Proof as 100 proof was not a requirement for bottles exported out of the United States.

Bottle in bond for export.

Orphan Barrel Old Blowhard 26 Year Old ​

Part of the Diageo's Orphan Barrel series which is produced from casks of Bourbon that have been forgotten about in the many Rickhouses and Distilleries that cover the United States.

This bottle consists of liquid rescued from the Stitzel-Weller warehouse but apparently distilled at Bernheim. 

Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Old 1849 Bourbon 1970s

A premium bourbon currently distilled at Heaven Hill, and highly rated by Dave Broom in Whisky Mag. This 1970's bottling however would have been distilled and bottled at the old Stitzel-Weller distillery.

Imported for the Italian market.

Otard 1917 Vintage Cognac​

​A very old Cognac, distilled in 1917 and bottled at some point in the 1960's or 70's by Threlfalls Ltd of Liverpool.

Old Fitzgerald 1849

A premium bourbon distilled at Heaven Hill and highly rated by Dave Broom in Whisky Mag.

Japanese import.

Old Fettercairn 1978 30 Year Old​

Part of a series of very well aged bottlings from this lesser known Highland distillery. 

Distilled on 25th October 1978 and bottled 30 years later. 

Old Pulteney 1982 Sherry Wood Cask 15 Year Old #1525​

A single cask Old Pulteney, distilled in December 1982 and matured for 15 years in sherry cask #1525.

Specially selected by distillery manager, Don Raitt and bottled in March 2008.

Bottle number 521.

Overholt '1810' Straight Rye Whiskey 1970s / Giovinetti Import​

This brand of Rye whiskey is very old, established as the label suggests, over 150 years ago.

This was produced in Pennsylvania at the Old Overholt Distillery by National Distillers. The brand is now bottled by Fortune Brands (owners of Jim Beam) in Kentucky.

Imported to the Italian market by Gioventti, Milan.

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old

The 10 year old rom the Van Winkle range, this is the entry level edition. Absolutely stonking!

As popular and impressive as the older members of this legendary family of whiskies.

Orphan Barrel Lost Prophet 22 Year Old 

From the Orphan Barrel Website: 

 \"Lost Prophet speaks softly but carries a big stick. Eloquent and gentle, this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was unearthed after spending 22 long years resting in charred American white oak barrels, tucked away in a corner of the historic Stitzel-Weller rickhouses in Shively, Kentucky. Only a small amount of Lost Prophet exists and it will only be released once. After the last bottle has been sold, it's gone for good, its nomadic journey coming to an end.\"

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old

From the Van Winkle range this is the entry level edition. Absolutely stonking!

As popular and impressive as the older members of this legendary family of whiskies.

Octomore Masterclass 8.3

Released in 2017, the 8.3 Masterclass Octomore was marketed by Bruichladdich as being the peatiest whisky produced in Scotland at whopping 309.1ppm.

Matured in ex-Bourbon American oak, and ex-Pauillac, Ventoux, Rhone, and Burgundy European oak casks.

Old Perth 2004 13 Year Old Blended Malt No.2 / Macallan and Highland Park

A 13 year old blend of Macallan and Highland Park? Yes please!

One of only 620 bottles produced from a single cask.

Oban Lifeboat RNLI 18 Year Old

A rare independent single cask bottling of Oban, bottled by Douglas Laing. The whisky was gifted to Oban lifeboat station by Oban distillery and bottled to mark its 40th Anniversary.

Initially sold to raise money for the RNLI, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the cask sold out within days and a total of £12,716.92 was donated to the Oban lifeboat station.  

The hogshead was filled at the distillery on 29th July 1994 and bottled on 18th February 2013.

Octomore 2009 Futures 5 Year Old​

The 2014 Futures release, distilled on the 23rd February 2009.

This 5 year old was matured exclusively in Buffalo Trace casks, peated to 258ppm.

Bottle no. 653.

Old Grand-Dad 1776 - 1976 Bicentennial Decanter 1970s

A very rare decanter produced in 1976 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the founding of America in 1776.

Distilled and bottled by National Distillers at the now silent Old Grand-dad distillery.

4/5 Quart and 86 US Proof

Old Pulteney 1983 Limited Edition 21 Year Old​

A fantastic Old Pulteney, distilled in 1983 and matured 21 years.

Old Pulteney 2004 Single Sherry Cask #128 The Whisky Exchange​

A single sherry cask matured Old Pulteney, bottled by exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. 

One of only 612 bottles. 

Old Pulteney 1990 Single Cask #5272 / The Official Line Exclusive Bottling

A very rare single cask Old Pulteney. Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2008 at cask strength from cask #5272.

This single cask was an exclusive bottling for subscribers of The Official Line.

Bottle No. 86

Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon / Lot No.18

Featuring the image of Basil Hayden, Old Grand-dad is a classic of the bourbon world. 

Jim Beam purchased the brand in 1987, and this was produced at their distillery in Clermont, KY. Old Grand-dad is now silent, although Beam continue to use it as a warehouse for barrels.

This edition is 114 barrel proof.

Japanese import.

Old Perth 2004 13 Year Old Blended Malt No.2 / Macallan and Highland Park

A 13 year old blend of Macallan and Highland Park? Yes please!

One of only 620 bottles produced from a single cask.

Otard VSOP 20 Year Old Cognac 1930s/40s / US Import​

Established in 1795 by the Baron Jean-Baptiste Antoine Otard, this cognac brand has a long history. We estimate this bottle to be from the late 1930's or early 1940's based on the tax strip. 

Officially imported to the US market by Schenley.

Old Grand-Dad Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1970s

Featuring the image of Basil Hayden, Old Grand-dad is a classic of the bourbon world. 

Distilled and bottled by National Distillers at Old Grand-dad distillery.

Jim Beam purchased the brand in 1987 and moved its production to their Beam distillery. The Old Grand-dad site is now silent, operating solely as a warehouse facility.

1 quart size bottle.

Old Fettercairn 30 Year Old Stillman's Dram

A special edition Fettercairn that is 30 years old. 

This limited edition bottling is part of the Stillman's Dram series.

Bottle no. 238