November 2018 Auction

Longmorn 1974 Samaroli Cask Strength Sherry Wood

A legendary independent bottling of heavily sherried Longmorn, distilled in 1974 and bottled for Silvano Samaroli by R.W. Duthie in 1985 at cask strength.

This particular bottling was rated very good by Serge Valentin who scored it an impressive 92 points!

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, Samaroli's great friend is a big fan of this release. There is a similarly labelled (but much lighter in colour) 1964 vintage from new wood that Dron describes as the \"Yin and Yang of Longmorn.\"

Bottle number 584 of only 600.

Laphroaig 40 Year Old

Distilled in 1960 and matured in oak casks in Warehouse #1 for over 40 years, this is the oldest age statement that has been available from Laphroaig officially. Bottled on 29th May 2001.  

Extremely limited, this is bottle number 0955.

With certificate of authenticity. 

Longrow 1974 Samaroli Sherry Wood

Longrow heavily peated spirit was first produced at Springbank during the early 1970s. 

This 1974 vintage is the second year of the expression's production, and was bottled by R.W. Duthie for Samaroli in 1987.

The 1970s are regarded by many to be a golden era for Longrow, with a number of outstanding bottlings of these vintages existing, this one being no exception. This is one of a number of releases bottled by Samaroli from this decade, and is considered to be evidence of his visionary outlook on the indusrty given the surging popularity of this particular expression since then.

Matured exclusively in sherry wood, this is bottle number 301 of only 408 produced.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #1295

Filled into single hogshead #1295 on the 15 April 1981, and then matured for over 33 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 33 year old expression and one of only 210 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1295. Released in 2015 this bottling was only made available to World Duty Free.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 33 year od is amongst the last of its kind.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1960s / US Carlton Import

A rare bottling produced for the American market.

This particular bottle of Laphroaig was produced in the late 1960s and was imported into the US by the Carlton Company. A truly fantastic example of Laphroaig, containing distillate from the 1950s.  

The seller has informed us that this is the 1969 rotation. 

Longmorn 1974 Samaroli Cask Strength Sherry Wood

A legendary independent bottling of heavily sherried Longmorn, distilled in 1974 and bottled for Silvano Samaroli by R.W. Duthie in 1985 at cask strength.

This particular bottling was rated very good by Serge Valentin who scored it an impressive 92 points!

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, Samaroli's great friend is a big fan of this release. There is a similarly labelled (but much lighter in colour) 1964 vintage from new wood that Dron describes as the \"Yin and Yang of Longmorn.\"

Bottle number 42 of only 600.

Longmorn 1974 Samaroli Sherry Wood / 20th Anniversary

A 1974 vintage Longmorn, bottled from sherry wood by R.W. Duthie for Samaroli in 1988 as part of a series celebrating their 20th anniversary.

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 labels on this 20th anniversary series have been lovingly reappropriated from Samaroli's first ever series, his 1979/1980 collaboration with Cadenhead's. The image on this Ardbeg was first used on the 1969 Glen Grant from that set.

Bottle 206 of 540.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #1295

Filled into single hogshead #1295 on the 15 April 1981, and then matured for over 33 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 33 year old expression and one of only 210 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1295. Released in 2015 this bottling was only made available to World Duty Free.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 33 year od is amongst the last of its kind.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask / Feis Ile 2008

Arguably one of the rarest Port Ellen's around, this official bottling was released for the Feis Ile in 2008 and as you can imagine sold out instantly.

This 1981 vintage is the only official single cask offering from Port Ellen, distilled on 15th April 1981 and bottled in 2008.

This single ex-refill American oak cask #1301 yielded only 220 bottles.

This is bottle number 204.

Laphroaig 1967 Signatory Vintage 28 Year Old

A fantastic single cask Laphroaig distilled in 1967, the same vintage as the celebrated 15 year old Samaroli bottling. 

Distilled on the 20th of Septmeber 1967 and bottled in October 1995 after 27 years in single cask #2205. 

Bottle number 184 of 242.

Longrow 1974 Samaroli Sherry Wood

Longrow heavily peated spirit was first produced at Springbank during the early 1970s. 

This 1974 vintage is the second year of the expression's production, and was bottled by R.W. Duthie for Samaroli in 1987.

The 1970s are regarded by many to be a golden era for Longrow, with a number of outstanding bottlings of these vintages existing, this one being no exception. This is one of a number of releases bottled by Samaroli from this decade, and is considered to be evidence of his visionary outlook on the industry given the surging popularity of this particular expression since then.

Matured exclusively in sherry wood, this is bottle number 30 of only 408 produced.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s / Bonfanti Import​

An older bottling of Laphroaig from the 1970s, prior to the granting of the royal warrant.

Bonfanti import for the Italian market.

Longmorn 1964 Duthie for Corti 21 Year Old 75cl / US Import​

A fantastic 21 year old whisky, distilled in 1964.

Bottled in 1986 by R.W Duthie & Co of Aberdeen, this was for the Corti Brothers of Sacramento. 

Laphroaig 40 Year Old

Distilled in 1960 and matured in oak casks in Warehouse #1 for over 40 years, this is the oldest age statement that has been available from Laphroaig officially. Bottled on 29th May 2001.  

Extremely limited, this is bottle number 1306.

With certificate of authenticity. 

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s

Classic Laphroaig from the late 1970s. 

Well regarded by those lucky enough to have tasted it.

Longrow 19 Year Old Single Cask #1548

A rare single cask of Longrow.

Bottle number 83 / 218

Laphroaig 1981 Sherry Casks 27 Year Old

A wonderful Laphroaig, distilled in 1981 and matured exclusively in five Oloroso Sherry cask for 27 years.

Winner of the Malt Maniac's Gold Medal.

Bottle 116 of 736.

Laphroaig 40 Year Old

Distilled in 1960 and matured in oak casks in Warehouse #1 for over 40 years, this is the oldest age statement that has been available from Laphroaig officially. Bottled on 29th May 2001.  

Extremely limited, this is bottle number 686.

With certificate of authenticity. 

Port Ellen 1978 SMWS 43.10

A Port Ellen distilled in February 1978 and bottled in August 1996. Bottled at cask strength by Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 

Lagavulin 1991 Single Cask / Bicentenary​ Edition

A single cask Lagavulin released in 2016 to celebrate their bicentenary year.

One of 522 bottled from a single hand-selected ex-sherry butt.

Distilled in 1991.

L’esprit de Tiffon Cognac / Wealth Solutions

Released in 2014 by Wealth Solutions, this Cognac was produced in cooperation with the Tiffon Cognac house and is produced with stocks distilled entirely prior to the outbreak of phylloxera. These stocks were taken from the \"paradis\" of Sverre Braastad, where the oldest cognac dates back to 1805!

Number 150 of only 150 decanters produced.

Longrow 1987 Samaroli & Moon Import / Dreams

Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

The Dreams series was a 1999 collaborative effort between longtime friends, Mongiardino and Samaroli. The unusually labelled series feature artworks designed by Nadia Pini and Hans Piu, and all bear Silvano Samaroli's signature printed on the capsule.

This Longrow was distilled at Springbank in 1987. The pixelation of the two names on the label is presumed to have been an unfortunate printing error.

Bottle 226 of 967.

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 432.

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 419 of 500.

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 3587.

Longrow Samaroli 'New Filling Malt' / Fragments of Scotland

A very young peated Springbank, referred to by Samaroli as a 'New Filling Malt / British Spirit'. When is reaches full maturity, the peated Sprinabk expression is known as Longrow, and was first distilled in 1973. The New Filling Malts series was Samaroli's answer to grappa, the popularity of which had always confused him. He believed these under 3 year old single malts were a superior alternative.

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, mostly painted by Samaroli's friend, Agostino Perrnini. This one however is a Cesare Fernicola work.

Bottle number 437 of only 648 produced.

Longrow Samaroli 'New Filling Malt' / Fragments of Scotland

A very young peated Springbank, referred to by Samaroli as a 'New Filling Malt / British Spirit'. When is reaches full maturity, the peated Sprinabk expression is known as Longrow, and was first distilled in 1973. The New Filling Malts series was Samaroli's answer to grappa, the popularity of which had always confused him. He believed these under 3 year old single malts were a superior alternative.

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, mostly painted by Samaroli's friend, Agostino Perrnini. This one however is a Cesare Fernicola work.

Bottle number 30 of only 648 produced.

Port Ellen 1975 Samaroli 23 Year Old

A classic Samaroli release of 1975 Port Ellen, bottled in 1996. Samaroli's long-running partnership with R.W.Duthie had ended by this point, and he had begun to have his own company bottle these at Rutherglen in Scotland.

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.

Port Ellen has also developed a legendary status among collectors since its closure in 1983.

Bottle number 608 of 744.

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 2058.

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.

Longrow 1974 25 Year Old 75cl / US Import

A very highly regarded bottling of Longrow, the peated spirit produced at Springbank distillery.

Port Ellen 1978 37 Year Old 16th Release

The sixteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 37 years later in 2016, bottled 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 2940 bottles, this is bottle 2010.

Port Ellen 1978 35 Year Old 14th Release

The fourteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1978 and bottled 35 years later in 2014, bottled 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 2,964 bottles, this is bottle 1553.