November 2018 Auction

Orkney Single Malt 1977 Samaroli / Fragments of Scotland

Distilled in 1977, this is a single malt from an undisclosed Orkney distillery, so either Highland Park or Scapa. Bottled by Samaroli in 1988 as part of the the Fragments of Scotland series.

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.

The Fragments of Scotland series was bottled in 1988, and each of them feature artworks depicting different elements of Scotland, all painted by Samaroli's friend, Agostino Perrnini.

Bottle number 186 of only 648 bottles.

Johnnie Walker The Directors Blend 2011

Never available at retail, the Johnnie Walker Directors Blends were only given to very important Diageo types. Very few bottles made it to the secondary market and collectors have fought to get hold of these essential parts of Johnnie Walker history.

The 2011 release celebrates the flavour profiles of the cask. Each year Diagio offer one of their design partners the opportunity to push the envelope and offer their vision for the Directors blend. In 2011, Raison Pure design agency chose to highlight the exceptional colour of the liquid.

The bottle an labeling was designed to maximise the light entering the bottle.

Bottle number 37 of 504. 

Old Mock 1916 A Ph Stitzel 18 Year Old Pint / Prohibition Era Bottling

A fantastic old Prohibition era bottling of Kentucky straight bourbon whisky. Although the Volstead Act of 1919 had banned the production and sale of alcohol throughout the US, a certain number of distilling companies were permitted to continue bottling existing stock, mostly for medicinal use, but also for weekly baking rations.

One such company was A. Ph. Stitzel Inc, who procured this particular barrel from the Davies County Distillery (registered distillery 2 in the 2nd district of KY). This distillery was one of the majority that were forced to close after prohibition was enacted. Records show that most of their stock was purchased by the American Medicinal Spirits Company, but some reached smaller companies like A. Ph. Stitzel as well, who bottled this using their Old Mock  brand.

A. Ph. Stitzel survived Prohibition, and was one of the few to emerge with a functioning distillery, refinancing themselves after the difficult 13 dry years by contract distilling for other companies as well, including the juggernaut Schenley corporation. They would of course would go on to merge with Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle's W.L. Weller company to create the legendary Stitzel-Weller. The \"18 Summers Old \" phrase on this label was a persistent motif on Stitzel-Weller bottlings too, and can also be seen on some modern Van Winkle bottlings.

Bottled in 1933, shortly before repeal, this includes the standard \"medicinal purposes\" only label, guaranteeing a pre-January 1920 distillation date.

Overholt 1909 Rye Whiskey 1 Quart / Pre-Prohibition

More commonly known as 'Old' Overholt, this brand of Rye whiskey is very old, even more so than this particular bottle. Overholt Rye was first produced in the early 1800s, with this bottle appearing over a century later. Bottled just before Prohibition, this 1909 vintage was apparently a reserve of the Mellon family, who stockpiled it for fear of running out in the wake of the Prohibition legislation banning all production and consumption in 1920. The whiskey is believed to be aged around 10-14 years.

As it turns out, Overholt distillery owner, Andrew Mellon was a close friend of Warren G. Harding, then secretary of the Treasury, a connection that provided him with a license to continue selling \"medicinal\" whiskey during Prohibition. The original West Overton distillery however closed down, and with stocks running out, the brand was sold to National Distillers in 1932. National Distillers were consolidating interests in as much of the industry as possible with the repeal of Prohibition expected the following year, most notable was their acquisition of the Wathen family's American Medicinal Spirits Co.

Old Overholt still exists today, produced alongside Old-Grandad by Jim Beam, who acquired both of 'The Olds' from National Distillers in 1987.

This is a fascinating artefact from a long and storied whiskey history, and tastes fantastic too. Serge Valentin of Whiskyfun.com rated this 93 points.

Jura 1966 Duthie for Corti 20 Year Old 75cl / US Import

A 1966 vintage Jura, bottled by R.W. Duthie for the Corti Brothers of Sacramento, CA, which has become one of the rarest independent Jura around.

A real gem for any Jura enthusiast.

Bottled in 1986.

Jura 36 Year Old Single Cask #590 / One of 30 signed by Richard Paterson

A highly sought-after Isle of Jura, distilled in 1965.

Bottled on 19th July 2001 from cask #590, we believe this to have been bottled as part of an 'private bottling' of 30 bottles, in addition to the 449 originally released. 

Signed by distillery manager Michael Heads (now at Ardbeg), this bottle is also signed by The Nose himself, Richard Patterson. 

Johnnie Walker The Directors Blend 2012

Never available at retail, the Johnnie Walker Directors Blends were only given to very important Diageo types. Very few bottles made it to the secondary market and collectors have fought to get hold of these essential parts of Johnnie Walker history.

The 2012 release celebrates 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.

Bottle number 110 of 504. 

Old Overholt 1914 Bottled in Bond 14 Year Old Pint / Prohibition Era Bottling

The Old Overholt brand is a legend in the world of American whisky, established all the way back 1810. This bottle was distilled over 100 year later (and over 100 years ago!) in 1914 at West Overton distillery in Pennsylvania. The Rye whisky was then bonded at the distillery, where it was stored and, thankfully, protected from the Prohibition Act of 1920 which banned all production and consumption of the alcohol in the US for the next 13 years.

As it turns out, Overholt distillery owner, Andrew Mellon was a close friend of Warren G. Harding, then secretary of the Treasury, a connection that provided him with a license to continue selling \"medicinal\" whiskey during Prohibition. This whiskey was bottled in bond at the distillery warehouses in 1929.

Prohibition did however cause the original West Overton distillery to cease production, and with stocks running out, the brand was sold to National Distillers in 1932. National Distillers was the resurrection of the infamous pre-Prohibition Whiskey Trust, who resumed their aims of consolidating as many interests in the industry as possible, starting with the American Medicinal Spirits Co, with the repeal of Prohibition expected the following year.

Old Overholt still exists today, produced alongside Old Grand-dad by Jim Beam, who acquired both of 'The Olds' from National Distillers in 1987.

Old Kentucky 1913 Bottled in Bond Straight Whiskey Quart / Pre-Prohibition

A fine example of pre-Prohibition American whisky, distilled in 1913 and bottled in 1917, just three years before the production, sale and consumption of alcohol in the US was to be banned for the next 13 years.

Old Kentucky was a brand produced at the distillery of the same name. The site was built in the later 19th century, and was historically known as the Mayflower distillery before it was purchased by German immigrant, Dietrich Meschendorf in 1892, who changed the name to Old Kentucky. Meschendorf is an important figure in the history of American distilling, managing the historic Old Times plant in Louisville for 7 years prior to his ownership of Old Kentucky, and serving as an advisor to two Presidents, Roosevelt and Taft during the early 20th century discussions about the legal terminology of what constituted \"whiskey.\" He argued successfully for his blended products to retain their status as whiskey, against fierce opposition from the likes of Colonel E.H. Taylor who believed only straight whiskies deserved the title.

Taylor had campaigned successfully for the Bottled in Bond Act in 1897, and this is a product of that legislation. A straight whiskey with both the year of bottling and distillation stated, as well as the site of both. It is also the legally required 100 US proof.

The Old Kentucky distillery was eventually shut down by Prohibition in 1920, with its stocks removed and warehouses razed. The distillery building itself was retained, although badly damaged in a fire in 1925. It then served as a riding school for many years before it was finally demolished in 1960.

Johnnie Walker The Directors Blend 2013

Only ever given to very important Diageo types, meaning this was never available at retail. This means that very few bottles made it to the secondary market and collectors have fought to get hold of this essential part of Walker history.

There were six bottles in the Director's blend range, this is the final bottle and was designed by Claessens, a simple yet elegant and effective design.

In the flavour department the blend is focused on age and succeeds in creating deep rich character, causing whisky expert Dave Broom to claim that it was one of the best whiskies of 2013.

Bottle number 581 of 588.

Old W L Weller 7 Year Old Special Reserve Quart 1971 / Stitzel-Weller

An older 'Special Reserve' release of the original wheated bourbon.

This was likely distilled in the early 1960s when Stitzel-Weller was still under the management of the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle. It was bottled in 1971 by his son, Julian II, just a year before he was forced to sell the distillery to Somerset Imports, and the Van Winkle family departing the business.

Old Elgin 1939 Gordon and MacPhail

Named after Speyside's largest town, which is home to Gordon and MacPhail who produced this blended malt. 

Oban 16 Year Old Manager's Dram Bicentenary 1994

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo.  These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength.

Bottled to celebrate Oban’s 200th anniversary 1794–1994  this 16 year old was released exclusively from sherry casks by distillery manager John William and his employees listed on the rear of the bottle.

Bottled July 1994.

Jura Elements Suitcase / Earth, Fire, Air & Water 4 x 70cl

One of only 200 stylish weather-beaten cases containing four expressions of Jura, each chosen to represent one of the four elements. 

• Jura 1999 / Earth
  Distilled on 20th January 1999 and bottled in 2008. This heavily peated expression was bottled as an earthy tribute to the role of peat in the history of the Scottish Islands, where it was relied upon to provide warmth. 
  This is one of 840 bottles, bottled at 46%. 
   
• Jura 1998 / Fire
  Distilled on 10th February 1998 and bottled in 2008. This expression was matured in fired (often referred to as 'charred') bourbon casks. 
  This is one of 684 bottles, bottled at 46%. 
   
• Jura 1993 / Air
  Distilled on 12th May 1993 and bottled in 2008. This expression was matured in air-seasoned Manzanilla casks. 
  This is bottle number 121 of 768, bottled at 46%. 
   
• Jura 1989 / Water
  Distilled on 12th October 1989 and bottled in 2008.  The water used in this bottle came from A'Bhaile Mhargaidh, a loch sought to have life-prolonging properties.
  This is bottle number 287 of 624, bottled at 49.6%. 

This lot has a shipping charge for 6 bottles. 

James E Pepper 1912 Bottled in Bond Sour Mash Whiskey / Pre-Prohibition

A wonderful example of pre-Prohibition American whisky, distilled in 1912 and bottled in 1917, just three years before the production, sale and consumption of alcohol in the US was to be banned for the next 13 years.

This was distilled at the historic Henry Clay distillery in Lexington, KY. The first distillery on the site was built by JOhn A. Headley and James A Farra, lasting only 2 years before being destroyed by a fire. The land was then purchased in 1880 by George C. Buchanan who built the Henry Clay distillery in partnership with James E. Pepper. The latter became its sole owner by 1891, operating it until his death in 1906. The company continued after this, introducing the Jas. E. Pepper & Co. brand in 1910, along with the \"Born in the Republic\" slogan, both of which can be seen on this bottle.

The Henry Clay plant distilled for the last time in 1918 due to wartime grain rations, and was mothballed two years later at the advent of Prohibition. The distillery was purchased by the Schenley company shortly before the repeal of the Act, who demolished it and built a new distillery under the James E. Pepper name. It operated until 1958 when it again fell silent before being rebuilt in 2017, filling its first barrel just before Christmas that year.

James E. Pepper is an important figure in the history of US distilling, campaigning in 1890 to get the state of Kentucky to allow him to bottle his own whiskey at the distillery rather than to sell it by the barrel to distributors. He was also chief proponent of the Bottled in Bond Act in 1897, along with Colonel E.H Taylor Jr, and was the first to introduce the strip stamp that became a legal requirement on such products.

Please note condition of lot as shown. This bottle is leaking, 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.

Johnnie Walker The Directors Blend 2013

Only ever given to very important Diageo types, meaning this was never available at retail. This means that very few bottles made it to the secondary market and collectors have fought to get hold of this essential part of Walker history.

There were six bottles in the Director's blend range, this is the final bottle and was designed by Claessens, a simple yet elegant and effective design.

In the flavour department the blend is focused on age and succeeds in creating deep rich character, causing whisky expert Dave Broom to claim that it was one of the best whiskies of 2013.

Bottle number 583 of 588.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Korea Sa Shin Do 75cl / The Casks Edition

A special edition bottle of Johnnie Blue label... the icon of whisky worldwide. 

This Blue Label is bottled in a porcelain decanter that was bottled for the South Korean market. On each of the four sides of the decanter is a depiction of a guardian god from Korean mythology. 

Hyunmu guards the north, The Blue Dragon guards the east, Jujak (a phoenix) guards the south and The White Tiger guards the East.  

Very unusually for Johnnie Walker, this has been bottled at cask strength. 

John Jameson & Son's Redbreast 10 Year Old circa 1971 / Gilbey's

An old bottle of Redbreast 10 year old Irish whiskey bottled by Gilbey's of Ireland Ltd. 

The practice of merchant bottlings was common throughout Ireland and indeed, many of the most recognisable Irish whiskies today started out as such. Jameson in particular did not officially bottle their own whiskey until 1968, after the Irish Distillers merger with Powers and Cork Distillers. The then Dublin-based distillers offered their products only by the barrel, which is how this Gilbey's bottling came about.

Distilled at the closed Bow Street distillery which ceased production 1971 and now houses the Jameson visitor's centre. 

We estimate this bottle to be from or slightly after 1971 based on the bottle press date.

No strength or capacity stated. 

Jura 1976 Douglas Laing 40 Year Old / XOP

This is a Douglas Laing bottling of Jura, part of their Xtra Old Particular series. XOP is their ultra-premium range, launched in 2013 and reserved for casks considered the Laing \"family jewels.\"

Distilled in December 1976 and matured in refill barrel #11795.

Bottled in June 2017, this is bottle number 50 of 140. 

Jura 1984 30 Year Old

Jura has released two whiskies dedicated to 1984, an iconic vintage from this island distillery - inspired by George Orwell's novel '1984'.

This 1984 30 year old whisky was matured initially in ex-bourbon casks before a slightly complicated finishing process involving Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Sherry casks, Amaroso and Apostoles Oloroso casks.

One of only 1,984 bottles.

Oban 19 Year Old Manager’s Dram 1995

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo. These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength.

Released in 1995 from a refill cask, this Oban was bottled for United Distillers (Diageo) and chosen by John Williams.

Jura 1976 Douglas Laing 40 Year Old / XOP

This is a Douglas Laing bottling of Jura, part of their Xtra Old Particular series. XOP is their ultra-premium range, launched in 2013 and reserved for casks considered the Laing \"family jewels.\"

Distilled in December 1976 and matured in refill barrel #11795.

Bottled in June 2017, this is bottle number 54 of 140. 

Octomore Orpheus 2.2 

Similar to the Comus, the Orpheus release was peated to the same degree as its counter-part Octomore 2.1, at 140ppm. The Orpheus was finished using Château Pétrus Bordeaux casks, recognised as one of the world’s top vineyards. Matured for only 5 years, this alongside the Comus have proven to be quite desirable bottlings.

One of 15,000 bottles.

Old Pulteney World's Best Whiskies Pack 2 x 70cl / 21 Year Old & 1989 Vintage

A nicely presented twin pack containing 'the world's best whiskies'. 

Jim Murray named Old Pulteney 21 Year Old as his World Whisky of the Year in 2012, whilst the 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) won the World's Best Single Malt award at the World Whiskies Awards in 2016. 

This is twin pack number 112 of 276. Both bottles are 46% ABV.

This lot has a 2 bottle shipping fee. 

Jack Daniel's '1904' Gold Medal Series 1996

A limited bottle of Jack Daniel's, released in 1996 as part of the Gold Medal Series which celebrated each of those won by the distillery.

This is the 1904 version, the first year that Jack Daniel's was awarded gold at the World's Whisky Fair, that year held in St. Louis, Missouri.

Oban 16 Year Old Manager's Dram Bicentenary 1994

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo.  These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength.

Bottled to celebrate Oban’s 200th anniversary 1794–1994  this 16 year old was released exclusively from sherry casks by distillery manager John William and his employees listed on the rear of the bottle.

Bottled July 1994.

Old Pulteney 35 Year Old

Released last year this 35 year old has been matured in Ex-bourbon American oak and ex-sherry Spanish oak selected by distillery manager Malcolm Waring. 

The ornate wooded box has a porthole and a depiction of a classic herring drifter which has become a symbol of the brand. 

Octomore 1.1 First Edition 75cl / US Import

The first release of the Bruichladdich Octomore, at 131ppm this was at the time the most heavily peated spirit in the world.

Matured for 5 years from October 2002 until April 2008, this is one of only 6,000 bottles released.

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old

The 10 year old Handmade Bourbon is one of the original Old Rip Van Winkle brands bottled by Julian Van Winkle III at his facility in Lawrenceburg.

With stocks beginning to run thin in the early 2000s, Van Winkle came to an agreement with the Sazerac company to move bottling and future production to Buffalo Trace, who were already using the old Stitzel-Weller recipes for the Weller brand.

All Van Winkle products have been produced at Buffalo Trace since 2002. This is a 2014 bottling.

Bottling code is B1405508:357

Octomore 1.1 First Edition

The first release of the Bruichladdich Octomore, at 131ppm this was at the time the most heavily peated spirit in the world.

Matured for 5 years from October 2002 until April 2008 only 6,000 bottles released.

Old W L Weller Special Reserve 90 Proof Half Pint 1970s / Stitzel-Weller

An old half pint bottling of the Old W.L. Weller Special Reserve.

At this point the Weller brand was still being produced at the famous Stitzel-Weller distillery. The whiskey was likely distilled in 1965, when the distillery was still being managed by the Van Winkle family, and the same year that legendary 'Pappy' died, leaving the business to his son, Julian II.

This was bottled in 1972, either just before or after the Van Winkle's were forced to sell the distillery and the brand to Somerset Imports.

Weller nowadays is produced by the Sazerac company, and was the driving motivation for Julian III to partner up with their Buffalo Trace distillery to produce new Van Winkle whiskey there too.

Octomore 1695 Discovery / Feis Ile 2014

Perhaps the most desirable of the new Feis Ile releases, this is the first time Bruichladdich has released an Octomore for Feis Ile and it is incredibly limited with only 1,695 bottles being released.

Distilled on the 18th February 2007 and bottled for the 2014 Bruichladdich Open Day at Feis Ile, with a very impressive ABV of 69.5%.