May 2019 Auction

Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli 15 Year Old Sherry Wood / Silver Cap

Meetings between the Islay distilleries and the legendary Italian bottler, Silvano Samaroli, have produced an absolutely stellar selection of whisky over the years. No star in this constellation of greats shines quite as brightly however, as the Laphroaig 1967 sherry wood. Revered by whisky connoisseurs the world over, this is generally regarded as the best whisky ever committed to bottle. The bottle is part of the sought after Silver Cap series, which includes another spectacular sherry cask from Tormore. This is also the first appearance of the label used by Samaroli for his Distillery Drawing\" series of Laphroaig releases.

This periodically trades the pole position in WhiskyBase.com's Top 1000 Whiskies of All Time with Samaroli's other Islay epic, the Bowmore 1966 Bouquet. Both of these whiskies are rare gems. Open bottles of both at Singapore's the Auld Alliance Bar in 2016 drew visitors from all over the world for a rare opportunity to sample the liquid gold contained within them. One such lucky individual is Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com. His seasoned taste buds were treated to a dram of the Laphroaig at the Lindores Festival in Belgium in 2007, prompting him to award it an absolutely staggering 98 points. Not normally lost for words, all he managed on the subject was: 

\"Nose: even more of everything plus a fantabulously chocolaty and smoky sherry. I’m sorry, the rest will be censored by the anti-maltoporn brigade. Mouth: my god. Finish: my god. Comments: this is why we’re into whisky. We’re approaching perfection here.\" And what else is there to say, really?

The Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli is is an example of two heavyweights of the whisky world at the very top of their game. The 1960's was a golden era in production for many Islay distilleries, with the south-east coast's Laphroaig no exception. Today it is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries with its own in-house malting floor, and this vintage dates to the time when this provided 100% of the malt they used. Modern Laphroaig uses only a small percentage of its own malt, the rest sourced from Port Ellen, making this a truly pure example of what the distillery can produce, and a rare one at that.

While it takes a great distillery to produce a legendary whisky, it equally requires a keen eye, mind and palate to select the right cask, and Samaroli had all of these in spades. Renowned for hand-selecting his own barrels, this one was bottled by the man, widely regarded as a visionary, at the moment his raw talent was crystallising into something spectacular. He released his first bottles in 1979, followed by the acclaimed Flowers series in 1981. Then, just a year later as Samaroli was riding the crest of a wave of excitement and approval, came this, the Laphroaig 1967. The perfect moment. The perfect whisky.

This is bottle number 195 of 720.

Laphroaig 1966 Intertrade 19 Year Old

A spectacular Laphroaig, part of series of similarly labelled releases from Intertrade that contains several sought after 1960s and early 1970s vintages.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This was distilled in 1966 and bottled at cask strength as a 19 year old.

Bottle 222 of 360.

Laphroaig 1966 Intertrade 19 Year Old

A spectacular Laphroaig, part of series of similarly labelled releases from Intertrade that contains several sought after 1960s and early 1970s vintages.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This was distilled in 1966 and bottled at cask strength as a 19 year old.

Bottle 262 of 360.

Laphroaig 1970 Gordon and MacPhail Celtic Label / Meregalli Import

An exceptionally rare bottle, this is a 1970 vintage bottling of Laphroaig from Gordon & MacPhail.

This is part of the Celtic Label series, an Italian exclusive range bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for Italian importers Giuseppe Meregalli, Donini and Nadi Fiori's Intertrade.

This is a Meregalli bottling from 1985. They are the current Italian distributors for Gordon & MacPhail and have been since the mid-1980s, meaning most of these Celtic Label bottles were Meregalli, including at least six other spectacular 1960s vintage Caol Ila.

Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com declared this particular bottling one of the greatest whiskies ever bottled, awarding it 96 points, and suggesting someone should contact UNESCO about it.

Laphroaig 1969 Gordon and MacPhail Celtic Label / Donini Import

An exceptionally rare bottle, this is a 1969 vintage bottling of Laphroaig from Gordon & MacPhail.

This is part of the Celtic Label series, an Italian exclusive range bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for Italian importers Giuseppe Meregalli, Donini and Nadi Fiori's Intertrade.

This is a Donini bottling from 1985, one Donini's last before Meregalli acquired the sole distribution license for Gordon & MacPhail later that year.

The 1968 vintage from this series was awarded an epic 97 points by Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun.com.

Laphroaig 1970 Samaroli

A truly legendary Laphroaig, distilled in 1970 and bottled in 1986 by R.W. Duthie for Silvano Samaroli.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), he is regarded by many as a visionary. Many of his bottles now occupy deserved sports on the pantheon of whisky greats.

Emmanuel Dron, whisky collector and owner of the Auld Alliance bar has stated that, \"if I had to bring only one bottle to a desert island, it would be [this] Laphroaig 1970 bottled in 1986.\" This is part of the 'Distillery Drawing' collection of Laphroaig bottlings from Samaroli, which includes the legendary 1967 Sherry Cask.

Bottle number 125 of only 720 produced.

Laphroaig 1965 Intertrade 20 Year Old

A spectacular Laphroaig, part of series of similarly labelled releases from Intertrade that contains several sought after 1960s and early 1970s vintages.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This was distilled in 1965 and bottled at cask strength as a 20 year old.

Bottle 141 of 171.

Littlemill 1977 Celestial Edition 40 Year Old / Including 5cl

A very well-aged release from the closed Lowland distillery, Littlemill. By all accounts, there isn't a great deal of Littlemill left, so this is as rare as it is old.

Presented in a stunning lacquered box and sued effect slip-case. and includes a 5cl sample and informational booklet.

Bottle number 98 of only 250.

Littlemill 1977 Celestial Edition 40 Year Old / Including 5cl

A very well-aged release from the closed Lowland distillery, Littlemill. By all accounts, there isn't a great deal of Littlemill left, so this is as rare as it is old.

Presented in a stunning lacquered box and sued effect slip-case. and includes a 5cl sample and informational booklet.

Bottle number 144 of only 250.

Laphroaig 1974 Sherry Cask 31 Year Old

A legendary official release of Laphroaig, distilled in 1974 and bottled 31 years later.

This stunning whisky was limited to only 910 bottles and is renowned for its incredible sherry influence.

A highly acclaimed and award-winning whisky, this was given an impressive 95 points from Serge Valentin on WhiskyFun, not to mention its Gold Medal and Non Plus Ultra award from the Malt Maniacs!

Bottle number 448 of 910

Laphroaig 1969 Intertrade 15 Year Old

A spectacular Laphroaig, part of series of similarly labelled releases from Intertrade that contains several sought after 1960s and early 1970s vintages.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This was distilled in 1969 and bottled at cask strength as a 15 year old.

Laphroaig 14 Year Old circa 1953 / Mackenzie, Elsbach & Co. Import, US

A spectacular old bottling of Laphroaig single malt from the Isle of Islay, which scored an outstanding 95 points on Whisky Fun. 

Aged 14 years and bottled around 1953 for the US market. This was imported by Mackenzie, Elsbach & Co. Inc. of San Francisco. 

With wooden box. 

Please note condition of lot as shown. This bottle shows signs of leakage, Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any further leakage/damage caused whilst the bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Risk Free Shipping. Collection is advised.

Glenfarclas 1967 Single Cask / 50th Anniversary of Lisbon Lions

A special single cask release of Glenfarclas, distilled in 1967 and bottled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions side that won the European Cup for Celtic FC in 1967. 

Bottle number 2 of only 67. 

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Serge Valentin, along with Sales Director for Master of Malt, Ben Ellefsen, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by WhiskyFun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

Bottle number 2 of 400.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old / Wealth Solutions

So few whiskies of this age are available these days, even Glenfarclas has no whisky remaining older than 1953. The whisky was distilled on 20th November 1953 and bottled on 13th February 2012, matured exclusively in a first fill sherry butt #1674.

A panel comprising of whisky connoisseur and a key member of the internationally renowned Malt Maniacs, Serge Valentin, along with Sales Director for Master of Malt, Ben Ellefsen, Michał Kowalski of Wealth Solutions and George Grant himself, unanimously made the selection from the remaining 4 casks distilled in 1953 and cask #1674 was selected to be bottled.

This single cask bottling was released at 58 years old and sold exclusively through Wealth Solutions, Poland.

5* rated by WhiskyFun.com (no numerical score as Serge Valentin assisted with selection).

Bottle number 79 of 400.

Glenfarclas 1955 Family Cask #2216 / Spring 2017

This is one of the older releases in the Family Cask range by Glenfarclas. This Spring 2015 release was distilled in 1955 and bottled from a single sherry butt #2216.

One of 544 bottles.

Glenrothes 1932 Pure Malt 42 Year Old

A stunning bottle of Glenrothes which was distilled way back in 1932.

The liquid was bottled 42 years later in 1974 by the Highland Distilleries Co.

Glenfarclas 1965 Family Cask #3861 / 1st Release

Bottled as part of the first release of Glenfarclas Family Cask, perhaps the most extensive collection of vintage whiskies from a single distillery.

This 1965 vintage was bottled on the 27th February 2007 from single sherry butt #3861 yielding 417 bottles.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Rare Collection 75cl / US Import

A fantastic 40 year old single malt produced by Glenfiddich.

Selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master, who hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting; a process known as ‘remnant vatting’. Glenfiddich claim to be the only distillery to use such a process.

Bottled in 2007, this is bottle number 17 of 500. 

Presented in a lockable wooden box with key included.

Linkwood 1938 Sestante 45 Year Old

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

These days you rarely see vintages as old as this: pre-WWII Linkwood, distilled in 1938 and bottled by Sestante 45 years later in 1983.

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #16 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for All Nippon Airways. 

Cask #16, bottle number 106 of only 487. 

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #17 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for All Nippon Airways. 

Cask #17, bottle number 458 of only 493. 

Glenfarclas 1953 & Karuizawa 1964 Miniatures / Wealth Solutions 5cl Twin Pack

Both released exclusively for Wealth Solutions in Poland.

The Glenfarclas was distilled in November 1953 and bottled in February 2012 at 47.2%, after being aged for an impressive 58 years in a single first fill sherry butt, cask number #1674.

The Karuizawa was distilled in September 1964, matured in sherry cask number #3603 before being bottled in December 2012 at 57.7%. 

The set also includes a CD ROM and a book to celebrate the Glenfarclas.

Glendronach 1968 Single Cask 25 Year Old #13 / All Nippon Airways

There are a number of famous Glendronach from 1968 and this is no different. This was a single cask bottled for Nippon Airways. 

Cask #13, bottle number 278 of only 482. 

Glenfarclas 1964 Family Cask #4725 / Spring 2015

Bottled as part of the Glenfarclas Family Cask range of vintage whiskies.

This 1964 vintage was bottled on the 28th of November 2014 from sherry butt #4725.

One of 381 bottles.

Glenfiddich 40 Year Old Rare Collection 75cl / US Import

A fantastic 40 year old single malt produced by Glenfiddich.

Selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master, who hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting; a process known as ‘remnant vatting’. Glenfiddich claim to be the only distillery to use such a process.

Release number 7 totalled 600 bottles, this is bottle number 232.

Presented in a lockable wooden box with key included.

Port Ellen 1979 37 Year Old 17th Release​

The seventeenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 37 years later in 2017, bottled at cask strength and limited to 2988 bottles, this is bottle 1687.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Glenfarclas 50 Year Old Collector Series III

Part of an extremely exclusive 6 bottle collection, each representing one of six generations of the Grant Family.

Bottled on 24th April 2015 at 50 years old.

One of 937 bottles. 

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

The first of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 22 years later in 2001 at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 6,000 bottles, this is number 1068.

Longrow 1973 First Distillation - Last Cask

Longrow, the peated spirit produced at Springbank was first distilled in 1973. 

This is bottled from the final cask #1723 of that very first distillation year.

Bottle number 144.

Ledaig 1972 Dùsgadh 42 Year Old 

Ledaig, the peaty distillate produced at Tobermory distillery. When often talk about how important vintages can be to the whiskies produced and the reputation these whiskies have today, in Ledaig's case there is no year more important than the 1972.

Tobermory had been mothballed for almost four decades before the distillery was brought back to life in 1972, this incredible vintage bottled at 42 years of age comes from the rebirth of Tobermory/Ledaig, hence the name:  'Dusgadh'  which is Gaelic for awakening. 

The momento card included is made from copper taken from the old stills that produced the spirit within the bottle.

The card entitles the holder to receive a Ledaig 10 Year Old Deanta in 2024, a bottling taken from some of the final spirit produced by the old stills.

Bottle 203 of 500.

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Scottish Classic

The limited edition Scottish Classic was touted as a “celebration of the third millennium”. The range of 600 individually numbered bottles commemorates three great Scottish literary heroes. Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert “Rabbie” Burns are all honoured by artwork produced by three different artists. Each bottle has an illustration of a scene from one of the authors’ magna opera, and there are 30 different variations.

This is bottle 206 and is labelled with an illustration of Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars, illustrated by Bruce Thomson.