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.

Saburomaru 1960 55 Year Old Japanese Single Malt

This is the oldest bottled Japanese whisky ever... 

Wakatsuru Shozou own Saburomaru Distillery, which has been producing limited amounts of whisky since 1952/3, This was distilled in 1960 and matured in a red wine cask with the characteristics of \"Port\" for 55 years.

The malt was heavily peated and distilled in a continuous still (By current Scotch Whisky Association rules this wouldn't be allowed to be called a single malt if produced in Scotland). 

Bottle number 75 of only 155 bottles. 

Springbank 1967 Local Barley

Springbank produced several 'Local Barley' bottlings from the mid 1960s, all of which have reached legendary status.

Distilled in October 1967 and bottled in August 1988.

Springbank 12 Year Old 100 Proof Green Thistle​

A 12 year old bottling of Springbank from the mid 1990's at 100 Proof.

Springbank 12 Year Old 100 Proof Green Thistle​

A 12 year old bottling of Springbank from the mid 1990's at 100 Proof.

Velier import for the Italian market.

Strathisla 1937 Gordon and MacPhail 70 Proof​

Distilled in 1937 at Strathisla distillery and bottled in the late 1970's by Gordon & MacPhail.

Imported to the Italian market.

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.

Springbank 1969 Signatory Vintage 34 Year Old

Distilled December 1969 bottled in 2003 as a 34 year old.

Bottle No.149 of 408 bottles drawn from refill butt #262

Strathisla 1937 Gordon and MacPhail 34 Year Old​ / Pinerolo​

Distilled in 1937 at Strathisla distillery and bottled as a 34 year old by Gordon and MacPhail using their Connoisseur's Choice branding in the 1970s

Bottle number 11.

Pinerolo Italian Import. This particular bottling scored 88 points when reviewed by Serge Valentin for Whiskyfun.com!

Please note condition of lot as shown, including Italian and British Tax Stamps.

The liquid in this particular bottle has been carbon dated by Oxford University's Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit. The information corresponds with the vintage of this bottling. A pdf copy of the certificate is available on request.

Strathisla 1937 Gordon and MacPhail 35 Year Old​ / Pinerolo​

Distilled in 1937 at Strathisla distillery and bottled as a 35 year old by Gordon and MacPhail using their Connoisseur's Choice branding in the 1970s

Bottle number 714.

Pinerolo Italian Import. This particular bottling scored a 89 points when reviewed by Serge Valentin for Whiskyfun.com!

Please note condition of lot as shown, including Italian and British Tax Stamps.

The liquid in this particular bottle has been carbon dated by Oxford University's Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit. The information corresponds with the vintage of this bottling. A pdf copy of the certificate is available on request.

Strathisla 1948 Gordon and MacPhail 1980s

This Strathisla was distilled way back in 1948 and was bottled during the 1980's by Gordon and MacPhail.

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.

Springbank 12 Year Old 1980s

A fantastic 12 year old Springbank bottling from the early 1980's.

German import.

St Magdalene 1982 Cadenhead's 32 Year Old

A 32 year old St Magdalene, distilled in 1982 and bottled at cask strength by Cadenhead's in January 2015.

The closed St Magdalene distillery in Linlithgow is oneof Scotland's most sorely missed.

One of 282 bottles.  

Sherriff's Treasury 1940s / US Import

A relatively unknown blend from around the 1940's, produced by the legendary Sherriff's, owners of Bowmore distillery at the time.

Vintage Wines US Import.

Strathisla 1964 Gordon and MacPhail

Distilled in 1964, this Strathisla was bottled in 2004 by Gordon and MacPhail and has a magnificent colour.

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

St Magdalene 1979 Rare Malt 19 Year Old / 63.80%​

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.

A spectacular bottling of St Magdalene, released as part of Diageo's famous 'Rare Malt Selection'.  

Distilled in 1979 and bottled as a 19 year old at a healthy 63.80%.

St Magdalene 1970 Rare Malt 23 Year Old / 58.1%

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.

A bottle of the earlier St Magdalene bottled as part of the Rare Malt Selection, distilled in 1970 and bottled around 1993.

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.

Speyside 1977 Sansibar 38 Year Old​

Distilled in 1977 and matured in a sherry cask until 2015. 

Suntory Yamazaki Very Rare Old 4 Litre 1970s / with Cradle

A fantastic bottling of Suntory whisky, long discontinued.  Presented in a unique, dumpy bottle.

Allthough these bottles were normally stated as blends, this one is stated as being from Yamazaki Distillery.  The neck label states \"Guaranteed to be a blend of the choice whiskies produced in our distillery.\"

We believe this bottle may be from the 1970s and includes a hinged pouring cradle.

This lot has a 5 bottle shipping fee.

Strathisla 1977 Gordon and MacPhail 40 Year Old / TWE Exclusive

A single cask bottling of Strathisla by Gordon & MacPhail.

Distilled in 1977 and bottled 40 years later from refill American hogshead #387, exclusively for The Whisky Exchange.

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.

Suntory / Kotobukiya Torys De Luxe Whisky Decanter Pre-1963​

A japanese blended whisky from Suntory, prior to the name change from Kotobukiya to Suntory in 1963.

Strathisla 1964 Gordon and MacPhail

Distilled in 1964, this Strathisla was bottled in 2003 by Gordon and MacPhail and has a magnificent colour.

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.

Sazerac 18 Year Old / Summer 2017

Bottled in the Summer of 2017 at Buffalo Trace distillery. This is named after the parent company, Sazerac.

Sazerac 18 year old is widely regarded as one of the best Rye whiskies in the world.

Springbank 1996 Single Cask 21 Year Old / Starkicker 56%​

This is an rare Austrian Exclusive bottling of single cask Springbank, named Starkicker

Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2016 at 21 years old from a fresh sherry cask.

Bottle No. 48 of a total 120 bottles.

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.