October 2018 Auction

Scapa 1958 Samaroli 46% / Handwritten Labels

In the words of Emmanuel Dron, owner of the Auld Alliance - \"The 1958 Samaroli is probably the best Scapa ever bottled.\"  It's certainly one of the oldest vintages known to exist. 

Bottled in 1985, two versions were produced, one at 52% and this one at 46%. Both are exceptionally hard to find.

It is part of the Handwritten Labels series. While Samaroli was famed for his keen eye for aesthetic in designing his own labels, this series simply features his own elegant calligraphy reproduced on them.

Bottle number 137.

Ardbeg 1974 Samaroli 15 Year Old

One of two releases of a 1974 vintage Ardbeg bottled for Silvano Samaroli. At 240 bottles, this is the much rarer of the two.

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 in pantheon of whisky greats.

This bottling was bottled for Samaroli in Scotland by R.W. Duthie & Co. in 1990, and is bottle number 127.

Springbank 30 Year Old Samaroli / Cadenhead's 1979

An incredibly rare older expression from this Campbeltown classic.

Springbank of this sort of age is very rare indeed, and tend to be brought to market as limited runs such as the Millennium Collection, or through unusual bottlings such as this.

Silvano Samaroli began his career in the whisky industry as an importer in 1968, operating as the Italian agent for Speyside's Linkwood distillery. This 1979 bottling of Springbank is part of his first foray into the independent bottling scene. The series comprises another, younger Springbank, as well as a Macallan, Highland Park and Glenlivet, among others. They were bottled for him by Cadenhead's, in the classic brown dumpy glass of the era, using unique labels that Samaroli had designed himself.

This is by far the rarest of the set. The other releases in the series were limited to 360 bottles each, we would imagine this is the same. 

Bottle number 25.

Samaroli 1948 West Indies Dark Rum

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky, but he produced some outstanding rum as well. Legend has it, this was his favourite spirit that he ever committed to a bottle!

Distilled in the Caribbean in 1948, this was impressively aged before bottling in 1991.

Bottle 737 of 800.

Port Ellen 1981 Samaroli / Handwritten Labels

A meeting of two whisky legends, this is a Port Ellen bottled by Silvano Samaroli. Port Ellen has been closed since 1983 and has developed an incredible reputation ever since. Samaroli of course was well appreciated in his own time, bottling some of the finest and most collectible whisky on the market.

This Port Ellen was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 1991. It is part of the Handwritten Labels series. While Samaroli was famed for his keen eye for aesthetic in designing his own labels, this series simply features his own elegant calligraphy reproduced on them.

This bottle is number 604.

Port Ellen 1981 Casks of Distinction 37 Year Old #1297 / Bottle No.5

Filled into single hogshead #1297 on the 15 April 1981, and then matured for over 37 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 37 year old expression and one of only 174 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 48.9% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1297, which is part of Diageo's Casks of Distinction programme. Casks of Distinction is the private sale of individual casks of rare and exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Diageo’s extensive stocks in Scotland. Hand selected by a team of whisky experts under guidance from Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson, each cask is entirely unique and incredibly rare. Each Cask of Distinction is chosen on the basis of their quality, representing the most exceptional and singular expression of the distillery’s character.

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 37 Year Old is amongst the last of its kind.

Springbank 1966 Sherry Cask 24 Year Old #442 / Local Barley

Springbank produced several 'Local Barley' bottlings from the mid 1960s, all of which have reached legendary status.

Distilled in January 1966 and bottled June 1990 after being matured in an oak sherry cask number #1966 442

Bottle No. 165

The particular release does not have the well known 'Local Barley' title located anywhere on the label, though is recognised as being an early part of the series. 

Ardbeg 1973 Samaroli / Fragments of Scotland

Distilled in 1973 and bottled in 1988 by Silvano Samaroli as part of the rare 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. The painting on this particular label belonged to Silvano, and also appears on the Glen Garioch and Glenugie bottlings.

Although the distillery is not mentioned on the label, it is well known as an Ardbeg.

Bottle number 103 of only 648.

Ardbeg 1975 Intertrade 13 Year Old 

A stunning vintage Ardbeg, distilled on 9th October 1975 and bottled at cask strength on 30th July 1989 for Intertrade Italia.

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.

Bottle number 161 of 288. 

Springbank 1969 Signatory Vintage 40 Year Old Cask Strength

This is a legendary 1960's vintage Springbank. It was distilled on 12th February 1969 and bottled independently by Signatory Vintage on 14th September 2009, as a 40 year old. Despite it's old age this whisky has an alcohol content of of 54.4% vol. Matured in single refill sherry butt #263 which has allowed some of the original distillery character to shine through with a note of subtle sweetness.

This was at one point the highest rated whisky on WhiskyBase.com, and held the position for some time.

One of 356 bottles.

Skeldon 1978 Full Proof 27 Year Old Demerara Rum

The Skeldon is a legendary bottle of rum, bottled by Velier's Luca Gargano is 2004.

The little known Skeldon plantation was located on the far east of Guyana, and this was distilled on their Coffey still in 1973. The plantation itself closed in 1960, with its barrels transferred to the now also closed Uitvlugt distillery. There is debate as to whether their Coffey still was also relocated to the Uitvlugt, or if the rum is given its name by the barrel marking SWR, which apparently stands for Skeldon William Ross, founder of the Skeldon Estate and former owner of the barrel. Either way, this occupies a fascinating corner in the history of Caribbean rum.

Following the closure of Uitvlugt in 2000, its stills and barrels were transferred to Diamond distillery. Among them were the 3 barrels that contributed to this rum. These were discovered by Gargano, and having spent an incredible 27 years maturing in tropical weather, were bottled straight away for fear of any further evaporation, or as we like to call it, Angels' Share.

This is one of just 688 bottles released in 2004.

Port Ellen 1978 Intertrade 16 Year Old

A very interesting 1978 vintage Port Ellen, bottled in 1994 at 18 years old and imported to the Italian market.

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.

Less appreciated in its time, Port Ellen distillery closed in 1983 and has also developed a strong reputation since.

One of 258 bottles produced.

Ardbeg 1974 Single Cask 29 Year Old #2740

A single cask Ardbeg filled on 14th June 1974 and bottled at cask strength 29 years later, on the 11th August 2003

Cask #2740 yielded only 120 bottles. This is bottle number 17.

Port Ellen 21 Year Old Maltings 25th Anniversary

A stunning, and particularly rare, Port Ellen released in 1998 to mark the 25th Anniversary of Port Ellen Maltings.

This has been widely reviewed and acclaimed, reaching a cracking 94 points on WhiskyFun.com! A Port Ellen for any serious collector.

Bottle number 169. 

Springbank 1966 Samaroli 21 Year Old

A truly venerable expression from this Campbeltown classic. This was distilled in 1966 and is a vintage-mate to some of the most sought after Springbank on the market.

Bottled on behalf of Silvano Samaroli by R.W Duthie in 1987.

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 314 of 408.

Springbank 1964 Adelphi 32 Year Old 75cl / US Import

A 1964 vintage Springbank from independent bottlers Adelphi. This was bottled in 1996 at 32 years of age.

Adelphi has a rich history, operating as a distillery in the Gorbals district of Glasgow from 1825, producing spirit from the waters of Loch Katrine. The distillery ceased production in the early 20th century however and several change sin ownership culminating in a takeover by Distillers Company Ltd in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. With a lineage of whisky expertise he operated Adelphi as private bottling company, which now in the hands of Keith Falconer and David Houston, continues the fine work he began of bottling top quality expressions from Scotland's finest distilleries. This Springbank is yet another fine example of this.

Bottled at cask strength and imported to the US market.

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 0987.

Ardbeg 1975 Single Cask #1375

This whisky was distilled on 28^th March 1975 and matured in a sherry butt before being bottled on 8^th November 2006.  This 31 year old has become a rarity as single cask Ardbeg has become beyond rare.

This is bottle number 191 of 522 bottles.

Springbank 30 Year Old

An superb older expression from this Campbeltown classic

Released in the mid 1990s, there has been little of comparative age to be released by the distillery since. 

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 2181.

Springbank 1966 Local Barley

Springbank produced several 'Local Barley' bottlings from the mid 1960s, all of which have reached legendary status.

Distilled in February 1966 and bottled in April 1998 after being matured in bourbon cask number #1966 495. 

Bottle number 98.

Springbank 1970 Adelphi 33 Year Old

A well matured Springbank bottled by Adelphi as a 33 year old.

Adelphi has a rich history, operating as a distillery in the Gorbals district of Glasgow from 1825, producing spirit from the waters of Loch Katrine. The distillery ceased production in the early 20th century however and several change sin ownership culminating in a takeover by Distillers Company Ltd in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. With a lineage of whisky expertise he operated Adelphi as private bottling company, which now in the hands of Keith Falconer and David Houston, continues the fine work he began of bottling top quality expressions from Scotland's finest distilleries. This Springbank is yet another fine example of this.

Sherry cask #1622 was selected for bottling in 2003.

Springbank 1969 Signatory Vintage 30 Year Old

A Signatory Vintage bottling from Springbank distillery in Campbeltown.

Distilled in September 1969 and bottled in 2000 at 30 years old.

Bottle number 216 of 235 drawn from cask #1689.

Ardbeg 1975 Douglas Laing 25 Year Old

A very rare independent bottling from Islay's famous Ardbeg distillery.

This was distilled in 1975 and bottled in October 2000 by Douglas Laing, part of their Old Malt Cask series.

This is one of 702 bottles.

Ardbeg 1965 Gordon and MacPhail 15 Year Old / Co. Pinerolo Import

A very old vintage of Ardbeg bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Connoisseurs Choice series.

Distilled in 1965, matured for 15 years and imported to Italy by Co. Import, Pinerolo.

Springbank 22 Year Old Cadenhead's 1970s

A very rare bottling of Springbank, bottled at 22 years of age by Cadenheads.

Pre-metric measurements and the tax strip indicate a 1970's bottling, meaning that the whisky was distilled in the 1950's or earlier. A true piece of whisky history. 

Matured in refill sherry wood. 

Italian import. 

Ardbeg 1964 Gordon and MacPhail

A very old bottling of Ardbeg by Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1964 and bottled in 1996, a fantastic, rare and old vintage.

St Magdalene 1978 Single Cask 20 Year Old / 64 Waterloo Street Centenary

A rare official single cask offering from St Magdalene distillery. This was distilled in March 1978 and laid down in a refill European oak cask for 20 years.

It was was bottled in 1998 to celebrate 100 years since the building of 64 Waterloo Street in Glasgow, home of the Engineering Department of United Distillers and Vintners since 1942.

This is bottle 348 of 396.

Includes original letter from UDV.

Springbank Door Gods First Editions 2 x 70cl

These whiskies are released with a wealth of information, relating to their luxiourious nature and rarity. The first edition is two single casks selected by Charles Maclean, world reknowned whisky critic and author.  The Door God scrolls artwork was provided by New Year art collector 'Yin Qi' and replicated for this limited release of 246 editions.

Both whiskies were drawn from a single fresh Port hogshead, with cask numbers #150 and 445.  Cask #150 was distilled on 2nd December 1994 and bottled on 18th June 2013 at 18 years old with a strength of 52.2%.  Cask #445 was distilled on 1st December 1994 and bottled on 18th June 2013 at 17 years old at a strength of 50.9%

Limited to only 246 bottles, these are 191.

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 2 bottles.

Port Ellen 1974 Sestante 14 Year Old / 65.5%

A very interesting 1974 vintage Port Ellen, bottled in 1988 at 14 years 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.

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 1982 Whisky Exchange Single Cask / Royal Wedding 2011

A Port Ellen distilled in 1982 and bottled on the 29th of April 2011, bottled by The Whisky Exchange to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. 

Matured in single sherry cask #2290 and bottled at cask strength. 

One of 213 bottles.