May 2019 Auction

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 50 Year Old 

The pinnacle of whisky collecting and investing, the Black Bowmore is arguably one of most famous and sought after bottles of whisky ever produced. 

This is the latest and last iteration of this ground breaking Bowmore series of whiskies, again distilled in 1964 and bottled after 50 years in the cask.

This 'Last Cask' of Black Bowmore was vatted in 2007 from the remaining two Oloroso sherry hogsheads which were left over from the previous 2007 release of this legendary whisky.

The original Black Bowmore series released in the early/mid 1990s was followed in 2007 by the Black, White and Gold Bowmore range, all from 1964.

Includes the 2cl sample. 

The bottle number of this particular lot has been obscured at the request of the seller. This will be made available to the buyer.

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.

Balvenie 1951 Vintage Cask

The vintage cask range of whiskies from Balvenie are a fantastic insight into single casks released from this popular Speysider.

Distilled in 14th June 1951 and bottled on 7th November 1996 this is a specially selected single cask Balvenie, from cask #1236.

Bottled at cask strength with an impressive ABV for a 45 year old Scotch whisky.

Bottle number 5 of only 90.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore Final Edition 75cl / US Import

An icon of the whisky world, it's hard to fathom where whisky collecting would be today without the Black Bowmore. 

Distilled in 1964 and matured within Oloroso sherry casks before bottling in 1995. This is the last of three versions of Black Bowmore released in the mid-nineties. 

This is bottle number 574 of 1812.

US Import. 

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore / Final Edition

An icon of the whisky world, it's hard to fathom where whisky collecting would be today without the Black Bowmore. 

Distilled in 1964 and matured within Oloroso sherry casks before bottling in 1995. This is the last of three Black Bowmore's released in the mid-nineties. 

This is bottle number 1305 of 1812.

Italian import. 

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.

Brora 1972 Rare Malt 22 Year Old / 60.02%​

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.

It is often said that 1972 Broras are exceptional, and there are five in the rare Malt series. This one of the rarer examples, bottled at 60.02%. The 1972 continued to be an important vintage when Diageo released the 40 year old with the same vintage. 

Brora was reopened after a brief hiatus in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style. The distillery, formerly known as the original Clynelish, has been closed since 1983.

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

Brora 1972 Rare Malt 22 Year Old / 61.1%​

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.

It is often said that 1972 Brora is exceptional. There are five Rare Malt Brora 1972 and this is an example of one of them. The 1972 continued to be an important vintage when Diageo released the 40 year old with the same vintage. 

The formerly named Clynelish distillery was reopened, after a brief hiatus, in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style.

Since its closure in 1983 the popularity of Brora has soared, this is a fantastic opportunity to own an historic bottle.

Brora 1972 Rare Malt 22 Year Old / 58.7%

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.

It is often said that 1972 Brora is exceptional, and this is one of five Rare Malts of that vintage. The 1972 continued to be an important vintage when Diageo also released a 40 year old of the same vintage. 

The formerly named Clynelish distillery was reopened, after a brief hiatus, in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted to the lighter peated Highland style.

Since its closure in 1983 the popularity of Brora has soared, this is a fantastic opportunity to own an historic bottle.

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.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 30 Year Old 75cl / The Brorageddon​

A cask strength Brora, distilled in 1972 and bottled in February 2003 at 30 years old by Douglas Laing.

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

Brora was reopened after a brief hiatus in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style.

Specially selected for the Plowed Society by The Whisky Shop in 2003.

One of 201 bottles.

Bowmore 1967 Sherry Cask

A 1967 vintage sherry cask matured Bowmore bottled at full strength.

1960's sherry cask Bowmore vintages come highly recommended by those lucky enough to try them. 

Balvenie 1981 DCS Compendium 35 Year Old Chapter #3 / with 4 x Glass & Coaster Sets

This bottle forms part of the third release of Balvenie's five-part DCS Compendium, which is a tribute to renowned malt master David Stewart.

Distilled on 29th October 1981 and matured in cask #7824. 

Bottled on 19th June 2017, this is one of 186 bottles. 

Bowmore 30 Year Old Sea Dragon

Nicknamed 'the Sea Dragon' due to the mythical beast adorning the rather pretty black ceramic bottle and box, this 30 year old Bowmore appeared in the mid 1990's and has achieved almost legendary status.

The contents of this decanter are almost entirely made up from long-aged casks from the legendary 1960's vintages.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 30 Year Old / Old and Rare

One of Brora distillery's legendary 1972 vintages. This was bottled in 2003 by Douglas Laing for their Old & Rare range, when it was still part of their portfolio. The label has been bottled by Hunter Laing since 2013.

Brora was reopened after a brief hiatus in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style.

Brora distillery, formerly known as Clynelish has been closed since 1983, after a new distillery was built next-door in 1967, and eventually assumed the Clynelish name and sole distilling responsibilities. The original distillery bottlings are now increasingly sought after.

Bottle 166 of 222.

Brora 1970 Douglas Laing 34 Year Old / Old and Rare

This is one of only two casks ever bottled from 1970, a year of very low production (apparently), and is particularly sought after as no other bottling of Brora exists (that carries the name 'Brora') from before this date.

Douglas Laing were fortunate enough to bottle two casks, this 34 year old and another two years earlier as a 32 year old.

Brora was distilling heavily peated single malt at this time, to make up for a shortfall in Islay whisky caused by a drought. Vintages from 1973 onwards revert to the lightly peated Highland style.

Bottle 91 of only 157 filled in 2004.

Bowmore 30 Year Old Sea Dragon

Nicknamed 'the Sea Dragon' due to the mythical beast adorning the rather pretty black ceramic bottle and box, this 30 year old Bowmore appeared in the mid 1990's and has achieved almost legendary status.

The contents of this decanter are almost entirely made up from long-aged casks from the legendary 1960's vintages.

Brora 1972 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old / Old and Rare

A cask strength Brora, distilled in 1972 and bottled in 2002 at 29 years old by Douglas Laing as part of their Old and Rare Platinum Selection. 

Brora was reopened after a brief hiatus in 1969 to produce heavily peated single malt for blending, owing to a shortage in Islay spirit caused by drought that year. Vintages from 1973 onwards reverted the lighter peated Highland style. The distillery, formerly known as the original Clynelish, has been closed since 1983

One of 228 bottles,

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.

Balvenie 1985 DCS Compendium 30 Year Old Chapter #1 

This bottle forms part of the initial release of Balvenie's five-part DCS Compendium, which is a tribute to renowned malt master David Stewart. This example is a 1985 vintage, cask strength, 30 year old Balvenie matured in refill American Oak Hogshead.

Filled on 12th February 1985

Bottled on 23rd of March 2015

One of 156 bottles.

John Walker and Sons 30 Year Old Master Blenders Collection / Art Deco Era

This spectacular presentation is part of the John Walker and Sons premium releases from Johnnie Walker.

Part of the Master Blenders Collection, this 30 year old Scotch pays tribute to Sir Alexander Walker, former Master Blender and son of Johnnie himself.

This is the Art Deco Era release, and comes in an exquisite lock and key box with art deco detailing, and a crystal decanter.

One of 1438 bottles.

Released exclusively to Johnnie Walker House stores in the Asian market.

Bruichladdich 1964 'The Forty' 40 Year Old​

This mythical 40 year old Bruichladdich is the oldest official release from the distillery.

Distilled on 24th October 1964 and matured in a single bourbon cask until bottling in November 2004.  There were only 550 bottles released of this exceptional Islay malt, this is bottle number 165.

Brora 1971 Douglas Laing 28 Year Old

One of Brora's legendary vintages. This was distilled in 1971 and bottled 28 years later by Douglas Laing.

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

The original Clynelish distillery, what we now know as Brora was re-opened in 1969 to produce heavily peated spirit to make up for a shortfall of Islay whisky due to a drought on the island. Brora vintages from 1973 onwards reverted to the lightly peated Highland style.