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.

Ardbeg 1974 Provenance 23 Year Old / First Release

One of the legendary Ardbeg Provenance bottlings, distilled in 1974 and matured for 23 years until being released in 1998.

These whiskies are highly acclaimed and desirable, including certificate and tartan insert.

This is the first release, bottled on 18th November 1997: number 3197.

Ardbeg 1974 Provenance 23 Year Old 75cl / US Import

One of the legendary Ardbeg Provenance bottlings, distilled in 1974 and matured for 23 years until being released in 1998.

These whiskies are highly acclaimed and desirable, including certificate and tartan insert.

Bottled on 9th April 1998: number 1641.

Ardbeg 1975 Single Cask #4720

Vintage Ardbeg is a rare commodity these days and we are lucky to offer this 1975 vintage single cask.

Distilled on the 26th of December 1975 and bottled on the 16th of February 2006 from a single sherry cask #4720.

Bottle Number 127 of 207.

Ardbeg 1964 Gordon and MacPhail

A very old bottling of Ardbeg by Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1964 and bottled in 1995, a fantastic, rare and old vintage.

Ardbeg 1973 Douglas Laing 27 Year Old

A rare independent bottling of Ardbeg, distilled in March 1973.

Released within Douglas Laing's Old and Rare collection, this 27 year old was bottled in 2000.

Bottle only 240 bottles of this incredible Ardbeg were released.

Ainslie's Royal Edinburgh 1950s​

Produced by Ainslie and Heilbron, Royal Edinburgh is an infamous blend containing high quantities of Brora.  

This particular bottle is estimated to be from the 1950s.

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.

Avonside 1938 Gordon and MacPhail 33 Year Old​ / Pinerolo​ Import

Rumour has it that Avonside was actually single malt from Glenlivet, however the title has also been used by Gordon and MacPhail for younger blends and blended malts.​

Distilled in 1938 and bottled as a 33 year old by Gordon and MacPhail using their Connoisseur's Choice branding in the late 1970's.

Bottle number 174.

Official Pinerolo Italian Import. 

Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25 Year Old

A highly sought after and iconic Ardbeg, released between 2002 and 2007.

Named after the 'Lord of the Isles' who ruled the Western Isles and parts of Argyll between the 12th and 15th Centuries.

Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25 Year Old

A highly sought after and iconic Ardbeg, released between 2002 and 2007.

Named after the 'Lord of the Isles' who ruled the Western Isles and parts of Argyll between the 12th and 15th Centuries.

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

Ardbeg Young Uigeadail / The Oogling

The very desirable Ardbeg Oogling, only available to the Ardbeg Committee, with a very limited 1,392 bottles being released in 2006.

Three ex-bourbon hosghead of Very Young Ardbeg were married with one sherry butt distilled in 2002.

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.

Abraham Bowman 1993 Cask Strength 18 Year Old Bourbon

Distilled by the Sazerac company at their A Smith Bowman distillery, using the same #1 mashbill as George T Stagg, this is a 18 year old 138.6 proof bourbon.

The whiskey is named for Commander Abraham Bowman, who led the American revolutionary war unit The 8th Virginia Regiment or German Regiment. His ancestors founded the A Smith Bowman distillery. 

Sold only at the distillery gift shop in Virginia in 2011.

Ardbeg 1998 Feis Ile 2011

Drawn from two Spanish Pedro Ximenez sherry butts, this rare Ardbeg was distilled in 1998 and released to mark Feis Ile 2011.

Bottled at cask strength. 

Ardbeg Official Embassy Diplomatic Box 2011 / Sample Miniatures 4 x 6cl and Handbook

As part of the annual Feis Ile celebraions on Islay, Ardbeg distillery appoints a select number of whisky retailers around the world as \"Embassies.\" These have the prestigious honour of being the only stockists of Feis Ile exclusive bottlings from the distillery outside of the Islay island confines.

In 2011, the Embassies were issued with a Diplomatic Box each, this particular example was given to a whisky store in Amsterdam. It contains:

• Ardbeg 2010 New Make Spirit 69% 
• Ardbeg 10 Year Old 1st Fill at Cask Strength 56%
• Ardbeg 1974 Single Cask #4986 45%
• Ardbeg 1999 French Oak Cask 52%

All of these 6cl sample miniatures were filled on the 7th May 2010. The box also contains a nicely bound Handbook for its \"Drambassadors,\" featuring stories, history and tasting notes.

Ardbeg 1998 Feis Ile 2011

Drawn from two Spanish Pedro Ximenez sherry butts, this rare Ardbeg was distilled in 1998 and released to mark Feis Ile 2011.

Bottled at cask strength. 

Ardbeg 1974 Gordon and MacPhail 13 Year Old 1980s​

Distilled on Islay way back in 1974 and bottled in 1980s by Gordon and MacPhail

Ardbeg 1975 Gordon and MacPhail / Meregalli Import​

Distilled in 1975 and bottled by Gordon and MacPhail in 1998.

Officially imported to the Italian market by Giuseppe Meregalli.

Ardnamurchan 2 Year Old Spirit Warehouse Release Batch #4

Independent bottler Adelphi have opened their own distillery. 

This is one of their first <3 year old bottles of new make spirit. The distillery is in Glenbeg, on the far west of the Scottish mainland. 

The new make has been matured in a PX Octave for over 2 years. 

Bottled on the 25th of April 2018. 

One of 73 bottles. 

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.

Ardbeg 1973 Gordon and MacPhail

Bottled by Gordon and Macphail as part of the Connoisseurs Choice collection.

This Ardbeg was distilled in 1973 and bottled 30 years later in 2003. 

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.