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.

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.

North Port 1964 Cadenhead's 15 Year Old

As Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, Cadenhead’s have long been known for releasing stunning whiskies but none more so than those from their famous ‘dumpy’ series, which features some incredible 1950s and 60s vintages.  Whisky from this bygone era of production have become increasingly elusive in recent years, making them exceptionally desirable. 

This North Port was distilled in February 1964 and bottled in May 1979

North Port 1978 SMWS 74.1

Distilled in March 1978 and bottled in September 1989, this is from the closed distillery North Port also known as Brechin. 

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.

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%.

North British 1959 Signatory Vintage 51 Year Old​

A single cask North British released by Signatory Vintage.

Distilled 21st December 1959 and bottled on 31st January 2011 from a single cask  #67876.

Bottle 218 of 289.

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.

North Port 1979 Rare Malt 20 Year Old / 61.2%

The Rare Malt Selection is a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

This North Port was distilled in 1979 and bottled 20 years later in October 1999.

Bottle number 784.

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.

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel 3 Litre / 80th Anniversary Gift Set​

A Nikka blend that netted 2 World Whisky Awards.

A highly recommended cask strength blend. This 3 litre bottle was released for the 80th anniversary of Nikka and includes a display stand and giant pipette for drawing whisky from the giant bottle.

Nikka Coffey Grain 1999 SMWS 14 Year Old G11.1

Distilled on the first of December 1999 and matured in a recharred hogshead. 

\"Tounge tingling intensity!\"

One of 190 bottles. 

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.

Ichiro's Malt & Grain Takashimaya Blend / 180th Anniversary

An exclusive blend produced by Ichiro Akuto - the owner of Chichibu distillery, and the man responsible for bringing Hanyu and Karuizawa casks to the market.

This blend was produced for Takashimaya - a Japanese department store chain with outlets throughout Pacific Asia -  for their 180th anniversary and is a blend of grain whisky from the closed Kawasaki distillery with malt whisky from either Hanyu or Chichibu.  There is no age statement, but this bottle was released in the autumn of 2011.

Bottle No. 6 of only 500.

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.

Ichiro`s Malt Gasai Cask Strength Blend / Hanyu and Chichibu

A cask strength vatting of the closed Japanese distillery of Hanyu with that of the relatively young distillery of Chichibu, where this whisky was matured, married and bottled.

Bottled exclusively for the Isetan Mitsukoshi group of Japanese department stores.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label New York Limited Edition 75cl / US Import

A limited bottling of Johnnie Walker Blue Label with an exclusive New York design on the bottle and box.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Great Inventions 75cl / Taiwan Edition​

A limited edition Blue Label in an attractive bottleand at a higher ABV than usual.

Jefferson's Presidential Select 25 Year Old 

Inspired by Thomas Jefferson's curiosity, experimental spirit and good taste.

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. 1

Bottle No. 0228.

J.A. Dougherty's 13 Year Old Private Stock Pure Old Whiskey / Prohibition Era Bottling

This is a fascinating piece of American whiskey history. A prohibiton era \"medicinal\" bourbon, aaged 13 summers in bond by J.A. Dougherty's Sons Inc. at their distillery in Pennsylvania.

The J.A. Dougherty's Sons distillery was one of the few given licenses to continue bottling whisky during the prohibition era, which had banned the sale and production of recreational alcohol in 1920.

The Pennsylvania based distillery acquired this barrel from the S.P. Lancaster distillery in Kentucky, one of the many to close down due to the effects of the Prohibition Act.

Nathan Stone's Private Stock 105 Proof / Japanese Exclusive 

A very rare bourbon produced exclusively for the Japanese market.

Nathan Stone's was selected and bottled by Julian Van Winkle III in 1992, presented in original box and velvet bag. Although nothing has been officially stated, Van Winkle is said to have confirmed the source of this whiskey to be old Heaven Hill, aged around 4 years.