October 2018 Auction

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 106 of only 720 produced.

Glendronach Finest Highland Malt 1930s

An incredible example of pre-world war two Glendronach from the highland distillery in Forgue by Huntly. Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Silent at the time, the distillery was sold by government (who had owned it since 1916) to Charles, the youngest son of William Grant in 1920, and his signature is present on this stunning bottle, which we believe dates to around the 1930s.

As such, this bottle will have been one of the first released from the newly revived distillery, and is likely aged around 12 years. It is one of the earliest example of an officially bottled single malt, or \" perfect self whisky\" as the label reads.

Interestingly, the bottle describes itself as \"most suitable for medicinal purposes.\" This is more likely archaic phrasing, suggesting that the whisky is also of excellent value as a medicinal product, rather than a suggestion of its best application, which we're sure nobody was under any allusions was for drinking!

Serge Valentin agrees, awarding a similar 75 proof bottle a solid 86 points on WhiskyFun.com

Glenugie 1966 Samaroli

A very rare bottling of Glenugie, distilled in 1966 and bottled for Silvano Samaroli by R.W. Duthie in 1986.

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.

This is bottle number 310 of 480.

Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood Full Proof

This is one of Silvano Samaroli's earliest forays into the realm of independent bottling, following his successful collaboration with Cadenhead's in 1979. This was bottled in the same year. As an official Italian distributor for Glen Garioch, Samaroli had great access to top quality casks and it shows here.

Glen Garioch was a peaty single malt in the 1970s, and this is considered one of the finest examples of balancing the strong characters produced by peat and sherry casks, along with another Samaroli classic, the Laphroaig 1967.

This is the first of two 1971 vintage Glen Garioch released by Silvano, bottled at full proof. The second was single cask homage to this, bottled much later in 1997 at a lighter 43%.

Bottle number 1851 of 2280 produced.

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.

Glenfarclas 1955 50 Year Old / Bicentenary

A incredibly special bottle of Glenfarclas, selected by George Grant to celebrate the bi-centenary of the distillery's founder, and his great, great, great Grandfather, John Grant.

Only 110 were produced of this 50 Year Old, which comes in an attractive presentation box with certificate / scroll. Distilled on 30th September 1955 and bottled on the same day in 2005.

Bottle Number 105 of 110.

Glenfiddich 1964 Hart Brothers 48 Year Old / Dynasty Decanter

A very rare, independently bottled Glenfiddich. 

Distilled on 15th September 1964 and matured in a first fill Sherry Hogshead for over 48 years before being bottled in Glasgow on the 10th October 2012.

Cask #10796. 

Bottle number 234 of only 300. 

Presented in an attractive glossy black presentation box and silver plated decanter. 

\"The Dynasty Decanter was created to commemorate the last seven independent monarchs of the ancient kingdom of Scotland.\"

Interestingly, the booklet accompanying the bottle suggests that 500 decanters were produced. We presume this is incorrect.

Glenfiddich 1959 Private Vintage 

A stunning single cask bottling of 1959 vintage, which was selected by Glenfiddich's Malt Master and hand bottled on 9th August 2006 after over 46 years of maturation in cask #3934.

Presented in a crafted cherry wood case with certificate, this is bottle number 176.

Specially selected for World of Whiskies.

Glen Grant 1949 Gordon and MacPhail 67 Year Old Wealth Solutions / Bottle #1

The third and final release of the Glen Grant Trilogy project by Polish based Wealth Solutions.

Distilled at the Speyside distillery in 1949, before being matured in a single cask #187 for 67 years, making it the oldest of the three bottlings.

The presentation comes complete with a purpose-written booklet by whisky writer Charles MacLean, which is only available with these bottles. A truly unique item in its entirety.

Bottled by Gordon and MacPhail and presented in a beautiful wooden box.

Decanter number 1 of 177. 

Glen Grant 1948 Gordon and MacPhail 66 Year Old Wealth Solutions / Bottle #1

The first release of the Glen Grant Trilogy project by Polish based Wealth Solutions.

Distilled at the Speyside distillery in 1948, before being matured in a sherry cask #1369 for 66 years.

Bottled by Gordon and MacPhail and presented in a mahogany box.

This is decanter number 1 of 160. 

Longrow 1973 Samaroli / Fragments of Scotland

Distilled in 1973, the first year that heavily peated Longrow spirit was distilled at Springbank. Bottled by Samaroli in the 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 429 of only 648 bottles.

Glen Grant 1950 Gordon and MacPhail 65 Year Old Wealth Solutions / Bottle #1

The second release of the Glen Grant Trilogy project by Polish based Wealth Solutions.

Distilled at the Speyside distillery in 1950, before being matured in single sherry cask #2747 for 65 years.

Despite being matured for an incredibly long amount of time, The Angels behaved themselves: the cask was filled at 63.5% and bottled at 59.3%.

Bottled by Gordon and MacPhail and presented in a Mahogany box.

One of 218 bottles. 

Glen Garioch 1975 Samaroli / Coilltean

An Eastern Highland malt that is strongly believed to be Glen Garioch.

Bottled by R.W. Duthie & Co in 1987 for 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.

Bottle number 18 of only 648 bottles.

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 Ben Ellefsen, Sales Director for Master of Malt, 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 the Wealth Solutions, Poland.

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

Bottle number 227 of 400.

Glenfarclas 1953 Single Cask 58 Year Old Wealth Solutions / Bottle #1

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 Ben Ellefsen, Sales Director for Master of Malt, 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 the Wealth Solutions, Poland.

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

Bottle number 1 of 400.

L’esprit de Tiffon Cognac Wealth Solutions / Bottle #1

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!

Bottle number 1 of only 150 decanters produced.

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old Silver Stag's Head Decanter

An 1980s bottling of Glenfiddich 30 Year Old in a crystal decanter and presentation box. There is also a stopper with a hallmarked solid silver stags head.

A very elegant and ornate presentation that was ahead of its time.

Glendronach 1968 25 Year Old / Air 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. 

The original Glendronach 25 year old from 1968 was described by Serge Valentin from Whisky Fun as a 'A tremendous sherry monster''. It scored it 90 points.

Cask #16, bottle number 20 of only 487. 

Glen Elgin 1971 Samaroli / Fragments of Scotland

It's a well known secret that the distillery behind this mystery 1971 vintage Samaroli Speyside is Glen Elgin.

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 635 of only 648 bottles. 

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.

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 612 of only 648 produced.

Glen Garioch Coilltean 1975 Samaroli / Flowers 1990

This Coilltean is an eastern Highland malt that has been confirmed to be a Glen Garioch, bottled for Silvano Samaroli by R.W Duthie and Co. Samaroli admitted that he bought too much Glen Garioch of this vintage, and the Coilltean brand was an easy way to give him greater diversity of labels.

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 Flowers series was bottled in 1990, and is a revival of the aesthetic used on Samaroli's acclaimed (if cumbersomely named) 'The Never Bottled Top Quality Whisky Series' from 1981, his first independent series following the Cadenhead's collaboration a few years before. That, and this Flowers series, all feature labels with hand-drawn art nouveau illustrations by Silvano himself.

Bottle number 326 of 480. 

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.

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 70.

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Scottish Classic

The limited edition Scottish Classic was touted “celebration of the third millennium”. The range of 600, individually numbered bottles commemorates three great Scottish literary heores. Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert “Rabbie” Burns are all honoured by art work 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 497 and is labelled with an illustration of Stevenson's Kidnapped, drawn by Charles Hynes.

A work of art in more than one way.

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. 

Glenfiddich 1963 Vintage Reserve #12730 / Scottish Exclusive​

A rare vintage Glenfiddich distilled in 1963 and matured in single cask #12730. Bottled on 15th October 2001 for exclusive release in Scotland.

Bottle number 4 of 219.

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old Scottish Classic

The limited edition Scottish Classic was touted “celebration of the third millennium”. The range of 600, individually numbered bottles commemorates three great Scottish literary heores. Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert “Rabbie” Burns are all honoured by art work 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 41 (although this appears to have faded) and is labelled with an illustration of Stevenson's Kidnapped, drawn by Charles Hynes.

A work of art in more than one way.

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.

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. 

Glendronach 1972 Single Cask 40 Year Old #713​ / LMDW

Distilled in March 1972 and then bottled in March 2012 from single cask #713 which was an Oloroso sherry butt.

Bottled for La Maison du Whisky

One of 476 bottles 

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old 1960s / US Import

The 'All Malt Unblended' 12 year old expression from Glenfarclas, bottled at some point in 1960s. Although more common in those days, Glenfarclas remains one of the now few family owned distilleries operating in Scotland.

Imported to the US by Esquin Imports, CA.

Glendronach 1972 Incorporation of Maltmen / Millennium Malt

A special Millennium bottling of Glendronach for the Incorporation of Maltmen in Glasgow.

Distilled in 1972, cask #721 was bottled for the craft guild by Allied Distillers in 1999.