May 2019 Auction

Macallan 72 Year Old Lalique Genesis Decanter

One of two \"Genesis\" releases bottled in 2018 to celebrate the opening of the brand new Macallan distillery. The first was the infamous Genesis 2018 Release, followed by this, the Spectacular Genesis Decanter.

Presented in a beautiful Lalique crystal decanter, this is the oldest Macallan single malt ever bottled. This was distilled in the 1940s, in period of post-war optimism both in the whisky industry and the world as a whole. Having lay maturing for a staggering 72 years, this was bottled in a year Macallan themselves describe as a \"new dawn,\" representing a new period of optimism for the future with their new, behemoth distillery opening in June that year.

The decanter and its presentation are designed to evoke and celebrate the architecture of the new site:

\"Lalique has captured the character of the new Distillery in crystal, with the horizon of the decanter rising and falling in reflection of the roof line and incorporating the clean lines and natural curves. Each decanter is encased in a bespoke presentation case inspired by the interior of the Distillery, with a curved wooden roof over the decanter, and a footprint taken directly from the circular layout of the three new still houses.\"

It was designed by Burgess Studio, and was handcrafted by Royal Warrant holding cabinet makers, NEJ Stevenson.

One of only 600.

Macallan 52 Year Old 2018 Release

2018 was a celebratory year for Macallan, with the opening of their new distillery in June that year. Befitting the occasion, the distillery released a number of impressively aged single malts, beginning with their second bottling of a 50 year old, followed by this even rarer release, the 52 year old.

A perfect time capsule, this was distilled in the year that the old Macallan increased its production capacity with the introduction of six new stills, and bottled when the distillery was once again undergoing a huge forward-looking expansion.

The wood and spirit have worked together in perfect harmony for over half a century, with maturation taking place in a first-fill European oak sherry seasoned cask, sourced from Jerez De La Frontera. 

Released in 2018, this is one of just 250 bottles. 

Macallan 1972 Fine and Rare 29 Year Old #4043

Another fantastic example of old Macallan, The Macallan Fine and Rare Series of whiskies was designed to represent the very best vintages / whisky that Macallan had to offer, dating back as far as 1926.

Distilled in 1972 and bottled 29 years later in 2002, from single cask #4043.

Unique Reference: S5UQH8.

Signed and dated on 10th April 2003 by N MacKellar.

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.

Macallan 1951

Technically not part of the series, however this is certainly a fine and rare Macallan!

Distilled in 1951 and bottled from two sherry casks, #1541 and #1542

One of only 632 bottles.

Macallan 1951

Technically not part of the series, however this is certainly a fine and rare Macallan!

Distilled in 1951 and bottled from two sherry casks, #1541 and #1542

One of only 632 bottles.

Macallan 1946 Select Reserve 52 Year Old

A truly stunning bottle of Macallan distilled in 1946 and matured for over half a century until bottling. Presented in a gorgeous wooden box under lock and key. Complete with certificate.

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.

Macallan Cask Strength Miniatures 96 x 5cl / Case - US Import

A shipping box with 8 cases of miniatures from the more recent release of cask strength Macallan produced for the US market.

Each case has 12 miniatures.

This lot has a 12 bottle shipping fee.

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.

Macallan 1988 Exceptional Cask #3892-08 / 2018 Release

The Macallan Exceptional Casks series was relaunched in 2017. The range takes its name from a number of single cask bottlings Macallan released during the 1990s, which are often described as some of \"the greatest Macallan of them all.\"

Distilled on the 26th April 1988 and bottled over 30 years later after maturing in single European oak sherry butt #3892 (Ref: 2018/ESB-3892/08).

Selected by Macallan Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess, this was the oldest cask to date to be reserved for the 2018 batch of releases, on 10th July 2018.

One of only 508 bottles.

Macallan 1958 Campbell, Hope and King Twin Pack 2 x 75cl / Rinaldi Import​​​​​​​

Two official bottlings of 1958 vintage Macallan, bottled by Campbell, Hope and King in the late 1970s and presented in a twin pack. 

Campbell, Hope & King would share bottling responsibilities with Gordon & MacPhail until 1980 when the distillery began to oversee it themselves.

These are both Italian import bottlings, distributed by Fratelli Rinaldi.

This lot has a shipping fee for 2 bottles. 

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

Macallan M Black 2017 Release

This is the follow-up to the iconic Macallan M, which for a time held the world record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold when the six litre 'Imperiale' variant sold at auction in January 2014. 

Macallan M Black has a subtle smoky edge to it, and was created to celebrate the distillery's rich heritage and as a knowing nod to Macallan's peaty past. 

The whisky itself was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, and the complexity and craftsmanship of the liquid is mirrored by the stunning Lalique black crystal decanter in which it is stored. 

One of 725 bottles. 

Macallan 1995/1996 Easter Elchies 2008​

The 2008 Easter Elchies bottling was a marriage of two single sherry hogshead casks, #9455 and #4693, distilled in 1996 and 1996, respectively.

Macallan 1957 Handwritten Label - Rinaldi Import / 25th Anniversary 

A stunning and incredibly rare presentation of Macallan, distilled in 1957. 

This is part of a series of vintage releases all with handwritten labels, that includes a 1938, 1940, 1950 and a rare 1973 produced exclusively for the 10th anniversary of the Opimian Society in Canada.

Bottled in 1982 for the 25th anniversary of Italian importer Rinaldi. 

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.

Martell Premier Voyage

Produced to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Martell, this extravagant 1 litre decanter contains cognac exclusively produced from a blend of 18 eaux-de-vie, the oldest sourced from a 1868 vintage.

The bottle itself is presented in a giant metal sculpture designed by Bernar Venet, and comes in a wooden box, including a branded glass pipette.

One of only 300 bottles produced.

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 8 bottles due to the weight of this item.

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.

Macallan 1957 Rinaldi Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old 75cl

A legendary release from Macallan, bottled in 1982 and distilled in 1957.

As the label reads 'Specially bottled in Scotland 1982 in honour of the 25th Anniversary of the Foundation of Rinaldi Brothers Inc., Bologna.'

Includes certificate of authenticity.

Macallan Archival Series Folio 1-4 / 4 x 70cl

The first four releases from Macallan's Archival Folio series, all recreating the old advertising styles of Macallan and presented in book-shaped tins. 

All matured in sherry casks and bottled at 43%. 

This lot has a 4 bottle shipping fee. 

Macallan 1957 Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old

A legendary release from Macallan, bottled in 1983 after being distilled in 1957.

A desirable bottling which received 93 out of 100 from the Malt Maniacs!

Macallan 1950 Gordon and MacPhail Speymalt

Another spectacular release from Gordon and MacPhail, this is a Macallan distilled on 9th November 1950 and bottled on 3rd February 2006.

Macallan 1946 Select Reserve 52 Year Old

A truly stunning bottle of Macallan distilled in 1946 and matured for over half a century until bottling. 

Please note that this lot does not include the wooden box.  

Dalmore 1981 Constellation 30 Year Old Cask #3

An impressively aged Dalmore from their elegant Constellation collection. Distilled in 1981 and aged for 30 years in cask #3.

The Constellation Collection consists of 21 vintages, dating from 1964 through to 1992. Each bottle features hallmarked silver stoppers and an engraved decanter style bottle.

Cak #3 was matured until 2006 in American white oak before being tranferred into a Matusalem Oloroso serry butt for 5 years.

Bottle 93 of 669.

Macallan 1995/1996 Easter Elchies 2008​

The 2008 Easter Elchies bottling was a marriage of two single sherry hogshead casks #9455 and #4693, distilled in 1996 and 1996, respectively.