May 2018 Auction

Flora and Fauna Complete Collection 26 x 70cl 

The Flora and Fauna series of whiskies was originally created in the early 1990s by United Distillers Vintners (what would later become Diageo).  Originally this range had no name and it was not until the famous whisky writer Michael Jackson nicknamed it the 'Flora and Fauna' series due to the labels, did it stick.  The Flora and Fauna series, as offered in this lot, contains a total of 26 distillery expressions. Not all of these were released at the same time and many have now been discontinued, the last of which was to be the Mortlach 16 year old, perhaps the most loved of all of these whiskies.

Most of the bottles that were available with wooden boxes are presented so here; Strathmill, Auchriosk, Glen Spey and Glen Elgin were never available with these boxes. 

A list of the bottles included in this lot (all at 70cl):

Inchgower 14 Year Old / White Cap - Wooden Box
Rosebank 12 Year Old / Wooden Box
Strathmill 12 Year Old
Bladnoch 10 Year Old / Wooden Box
Balmenach 12 Year Old / White Cap - Wooden Box
Mannochmore 12 Year Old / White Cap
Dufftown 15 Year Old / Wooden Box
Glendullan 12 Year Old / Wooden Box
Pittyvaich 12 Year Old / Wooden Box
Auchroisk 10 Year Old
Mortlach 16 Year Old / Wooden Box
Glenlossie 10 Year Old / Wooden Box
Teaninich 10 Year Old / White Cap - Wooden Box
Dailuaine 16 Year Old / Wooden Box
Blair Athol 12 Year Old / White Cap - Wooden Box
Clynelish 14 Year Old / Wooden Box
Caol Ila 15 Year Old / Wooden Box
Linkwood 12 Year Old / White Cap - Wooden Box
Benrinnes 15 Year Old / Wooden Box
Aultmore 12 Year Old / Wooden Box
Glen Spey 12 Year Old
Speyburn 12 Year Old / Wooden Box
Royal Brackla 10 Year Old
Glen Elgin 12 Year Old
Craigellachie 14 Year Old / Wooden Box
Aberfeldy 15 Year Old / Wooden Box

Please note this lot consists of 26 bottles, shipment for this combined lot will be calculated manually for more information please take a look at our Shipping Charges.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon / Commemorative Bottling​

This whisky is named after the legendary Elmer T. Lee, 1919-2013, who was hired in 1949 by Col. Albert B. Blanton to work at Buffalo Trace. (At the time named George T. Stagg Distillery!)

Starting from the bottom he worked his way up to Master Distiller, before retiring in 1985. He passed away in 2013 aged 93.

This is the special edition 2013 commemorative release of the single barrel sour mash Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. 

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

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old 101 Proof 1980s

A late 1980s bottling of 101 proof bourbon, bottled by the Old Prentice Company in New Orleans.

Interestingly, Old Prentice Distillery (now Four Roses) is based in Frankfort, Kentucky, meaning this is likely one of the first Eagle Rare to be bottled by the Sazerac company following their purchase of the brand in 1989.

Enmore 1987 Full Proof Demerara Rum / Velier Import

Pot still rum from Enmore, distilled in 1987 and bottled from special casks #193-197.

Bottled by Dutch company Breitenstein Produkten BV for Italian importers, Velier in November 2000.

One of 419 bottles.

Elijah Craig 23 Year Old Single Barrel

The 23 year old single barrel Elijah Craig was matured in a single charred oak barrel.

Barrelled on 21st April 1990 at the old Heaven Hill distillery.

Barrel number 153.

Released in very limited quantities.

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

Elijah Craig 23 Year Old Single Barrel

The 23 year old single barrel Elijah Craig was matured in a single charred oak barrel.

Barrelled on 30th November 1989 at the old Heaven Hill distillery.

Barrel number 52.

Released in very limited quantities.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old 1980s

An old 1980s bottling of Eagle Rare for the Italian market. This was distilled and bottled at Old Prentice distillery (formerly Seagram's and now Four Roses).

The Eagle Rare brand nowadays is produced at Buffalo Trace after it was sold to the Sazerac company a few years after this was bottled.

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.

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.

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.

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Wax Seal / Binnys Beverage Depot​

This whisky is named after the legendary Elmer T. Lee, 1919-2013, who was hired in 1949 by Col. Albert B. Blanton to work at Buffalo Trace. (At the time named George T. Stagg Distillery!)

Starting from the bottom he worked his way up to Master Distiller, before retiring in 1985. He passed away in 2013 aged 93.

Thisis an erly version of the Elmer T. Lee when the bottles were still sealed with wax.

Rated a very impressive 91 points by Whisky Advocate!

This single barrel release was exclusively selected and bottled for Binnys Beverage Depot.

Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2013 Release / 125th Anniversary

The 2013 limited edition from Four Roses bottled at a high strength of 51.6%.

One of 12468 75cl bottles released during their 125th anniversary year.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old 1980s

An old 1980s bottling of Eagle Rare for the Italian market. This was distilled and bottled at Old Prentice distillery (formerly Seagram's and now Four Roses).

The Eagle Rare brand nowadays is produced at Buffalo Trace after it was sold to the Sazerac company a few years after this was bottled.

Very Olde St Nick Lot 12 Ancient Cask 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

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon 2013 Release / Batch #A313

Cask Strength Elijah Craig produced at Heaven Hill and bottled at cask strength after 12 years.

This is the March 2013 release.

Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2013 Release / 125th Anniversary

The 2013 limited edition from Four Roses bottled at a high strength of 51.6%.

One of 12468 70cl bottles released during their 125th anniversary year.

Japanese import.

Vega 1977 North Star 40 Year Old

A limited edition 40 year old blended malt whisky produced by North Star ltd.

Distilled in October 1977 and bottled in January 2018

One of only 400 bottles, bottled at cask strength.

Vega 1977 North Star 40 Year Old

A limited edition 40 year old blended malt whisky produced by North Star ltd.

Distilled in October 1977 and bottled in January 2018

One of only 400 bottles, bottled at cask strength.

Vega 1977 North Star 40 Year Old

A limited edition 40 year old blended malt whisky produced by North Star ltd.

Distilled in October 1977 and bottled in January 2018

One of only 400 bottles, bottled at cask strength.

Very Olde St Nick Lot 12 Ancient Cask 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.