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.

Very Xtra Old Fitzgerald 1956 Bonded 10 Year Old 100 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in the Fall of 1956 and bottled in 1966.

Distilled by Julian Van Winkle I at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, and bottled a year after his death by his son, Van Winkle II.

Presented in a felt lined, lock-and-key leather box with two 1 oz. glasses.

Very Very Old Fitzgerald 1966 Bonded 12 Year Old 100 Proof / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in the Spring of 1966 and bottled in 1978.

Distilled by Julian Van Winkle II at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery.

Vintage Rye 23 Year Old

A well-aged Kentucky rye at 23 years old. This was produced at Willett by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers using very similar bottles and labels to that on the Very Olde St. Nick, and may have been similarly distilled at Heaven Hill.

Very Olde St. Nick 20 Year Old Barrel Proof

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

This Very, Very Rare, Ancient Reserve is 20 winters, or 240 moons old and was bottled at a barrel proof of 116.4.

Japanese Import

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.

Very Olde St. Nick 17 Year Old Cask Strength

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

This Very Very Olde and Rare 17 year old was bottled at a cask strength of 116.2 US proof.

Japanese Import

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.

Very Olde St. Nick 1973 Ancient Estate Reserve 25 Year Old

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

This Ancient Estate Reserve was distilled on 19th December 1973 and bottled on the 29th of April 1999.

Bottle #494

Japanese Import

Very Old Fitzgerald 1960 Bonded 8 Year Old Half Pint / Stitzel-Weller

We don't see vintage Old Fitzgerald very often, so we are particularly excited about this bottle which was distilled in the Fall of 1960 and bottled in 1968.

Distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery by Julien Van Winkle I, and bottled a few years after his death by his son, Van Winkle II.

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

Vintage Bourbon 17 Year Old

A well-aged Kentucky bourbon at 17 years old. This was produced at Willett by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers using very similar bottles and labels to that on the Very Olde St. Nick, and may have been similarly distilled at Heaven Hill.

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.

Very Olde St. Nick 1974 Ancient Estate Reserve 23 Year Old

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

This Ancient Estate Reserve was distilled on 9th September 1974 and bottled on the 14th of October 1999, although is labelled at a 23 year old.

Bottle #19

Japanese Import

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.

Very Olde St. Nick 1974 Ancient Estate Reserve 24 Year Old

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

This Ancient Estate Reserve was distilled on 9th September 1974 and bottled on the 14th of October 1998.

Bottle #259

Japanese Import

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.

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.

Jameson 15 Year Old Limited Edition

All Triple distilled pot still whiskey with no grain added, this was created as a special edition for the millennium.

Jack Daniel's Old No.7 1 Litre / UK Collectors Limited Edition 2014

One of the best selling whiskies in the world, bottled in a limited edition UK collectors bottle with engraved labelling.

There is no displayed ABV on the bottle but it is likely 40%.

Very Olde St. Nick 24 Year Old Ancient Estate Reserve​

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

Japanese Import

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cube (Porsche Design)

A special edition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, produced as a collaboration between Diageo and the Porsche Design Studio. The Cube is a storage box for a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and four whisky glasses, the top half forms an ice bucket with a pair of tongs included.

A stunning presentation case for this exquisite blend.

Please note, shipping will be charged for 6 bottles on this lot.

Very Olde St. Nick 17 Year Old Rare Bourbon

Very Olde St Nick was a bourbon brand designed for the Japanese export market.

The original bottlings of Very Olde St Nick were produced by Julien Van Winkle III in Lawrenceburg, using whiskey procured from Heaven Hill distillery. When his stock ran out, the brand was purchased by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers who began to bottle it at Willett distillery. Although the supply for for these newer releases has never been confirmed as continuing to be Heaven Hill stock, it is where most of KBD barrels were procured from, and Van Winkle himself has strongly hinted at the continued connection.

Japanese Import

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. 15

Bottle No. 1725

Jameson 2007 Rarest Vintage Reserve​

A very well respected and rare Jameson, including some of their oldest and rarest vintages. Some of which is pot-still whisky matured in a Port Pipe. 

Bottle 07990.

Jameson 2007 Rarest Vintage Reserve​

A very well respected and rare Jameson, including some of their oldest and rarest vintages. Some of which is pot-still whisky matured in a Port Pipe. 

Bottle 04336.

Jameson 2007 Rarest Vintage Reserve​

A very well respected and rare Jameson, including some of their oldest and rarest vintages. Some of which is pot-still whisky matured in a Port Pipe. 

Bottle 04328.

Jameson 2007 Rarest Vintage Reserve​

A very well respected and rare Jameson, including some of their oldest and rarest vintages. Some of which is pot-still whisky matured in a Port Pipe. 

Bottle 03614.

Jameson 2007 Rarest Vintage Reserve​

A very well respected and rare Jameson, including some of their oldest and rarest vintages. Some of which is pot-still whisky matured in a Port Pipe. 

Bottle 04323.

Van Winkle 12 Year Old Special Reserve

As sought after as the other members of this 'family'.

Produced in very limited quantities by Buffalo Trace distillery.