October 2018 Auction

Bowmore 1964 Single Cask 35 Year Old / with Miniature 5cl

Released for Oddbins in the year 2000, this was bottled from single cask #3709. This sherry hogshead was from the same batch of casks as the legendary Black Bowmore series. 

Unsurprisingly for such a limited release, this is extremely rare. 

Bottle number 98 of just 99 Bottles.

Presented with a matching 5cl sample miniature and a stunning wooden lock-and-key box.

Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old​

Distilled way back in 1961, this 50 year old is the oldest publicly available Bowmore ever bottled (there are a few bottles of 54 year old available to procure from the distillery). The spirit was distilled in December of that year and laid down to rest for half a century in two ex-bourbon hogsheads. The \"angel's share\" in these casks left only enough for a limited 200 bottles.

The presentation of this 50 year old celebrates more than just the craftsmanship of whisky. The bottle was hand-blown and engraved by two of Scotland's foremost glass artists, Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns. The wooden cabinet and stand were carved and carpented by acclaimed woodsmith Peter Toaig, who used highly-prized burr elm grown in the Scottish Highlands. Finally, the presentation is completed with a solid silver neck collar and 50-year perpetual calendar, allowing you to \"look into the future\" as you savour the past, both fashioned by sixth generation silversmiths, Thomas Fattorini.

This is bottle 83 of 200. 

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 30 Year Old 2nd Edition

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

The second release of three, all distilled in 1964 and matured within single Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled in the mid-nineties. Sherry casks were used far more regularly in the 1960's than they are now, and this bottle is testament to the quality of these casks.

The Black Bowmore not just a whisky but a true artefact from the history of the spirit, representing a turning point for single malts. Appearing at a zenith in the popularity of sherry-casked whisky, which was for the first time creating a fashionable buzz around single malt whiskies, seeing it replace cognac as the after dinner drink of choice at banqueting tables, and customers now willing to pay the heady sum of £120 for a bottle. We may look back and scoff at this now but this was a princely fee back in the early 90's when the Black Bowmore was first stocked by Oddbins in the UK.

Speaking of the Black Bowmore, Dave Broom writes:

\"If you look at Black Bowmore as fiction, you see it grow from being a simple tale about a product into something which acquires the trappings of legend and myth. What was once ‘Islay’ had been condensed into distilleries; distilleries compressed into specific peculiarities – in Black Bowmore’s case, the magical, never fully explicable weirdness of the conditions in No 1 Vaults, one of walls of which sits below the level of the loch outside; a place of cold and damp, where evaporation is minimal, where elements are both preserved and warped into new shapes, where time slows and things deepen.\"

This is bottle number 1267 of 2000.

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.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore / Final Edition / Leaking

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 Bowmores released in the mid-nineties. 

This is bottle number 1374 of 1812.

Italian import. 

Please note this bottle is leaking and is only available for collection from our offices in Perth, Scotland.

Refer to condition report and images for further details.

Clynelish 1973 Single Cask 41 Year Old Wealth Solutions / Bottle #1

It is extremely uncommon to see private bottlings produced 'officially' by Diageo.

Their 'Hogmanay Cask' was filled 31st December 1973. The advent of a new year in Scotland is an important tradition for entire communities, with the Clynelish Hogmannay Casks reflecting this. They were a collaborative effort from the inhabitants of the areas, rarely poured into barrels within the confines of the distillery walls for this reason, and very few casks bear the honour of being named as such.

This single cask bottling for Wealth Solutions is twice as exceptional, having been aged for a whopping 41 years, making it the oldest official Clynelish going!

Bottle number 1 of 144 bottles. 

Bowmore 1965 Prestonfield 22 Year Old

A 1965 vintage sherry cask matured 22 year old Bowmore.

Drawn from cask number #47, this is bottle number 66. 

The Prestonfield House Hotel had several bottles produced for them by Morrision Bowmore in the 1980s. 

Bowmore 1964 Duthie for Corti 22 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Another outstanding 1964 vintage Bowmore, bottled in 1986 by R.W Duthie & Co of Aberdeen for the Corti Brothers of Sacramento. 

Despite the understated labels, these bottlings have become highly sought-after at auction. 

Bowmore 1964 Sherry Cask / Soffiantino Import

A 1964 vintage sherry cask matured Bowmore.

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

Soffiantino import for the Italian market.

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.

Clynelish 1965 Signatory Vintage 29 Year Old

An independently bottled Clynelish has become a very rare indeed.

A real gem for any Clynelish enthusiast, produced at the original Clynelish distillery, which has now become recognised as Brora.

Bottled in 1994 after 29 years in butt #667.

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. 

Bowmore 1973 43 Year Old​

A 2016 super-premium Bowmore bottling.

Vatting the last 6 remaining bourbon hogsheads of 1973, this joins the ranks of some impressive bottles from that vintage. 

Casks 3883-3888 were distilled on the 10th of May 1973 and bottled on the 2nd of June 2016 at a staggering 43 years old.

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. 

Bowmore 1973 43 Year Old​

A 2016 super-premium Bowmore bottling.

Vatting the last 6 remaining bourbon hogsheads of 1973 this joins the ranks of some impressive bottles from that vintage. 

Casks 3883-3888 were distilled on the 10th of May 1973 and bottled on the 2nd of June 2016 at a staggering 43 years old.

Due to the strip of ribbon on this bottle not travelling well, Bowmore wax dipped some of the seals. This is one such bottle. 

Bowmore 1973 43 Year Old​

A 2016 super-premium Bowmore bottling.

Vatting the last 6 remaining bourbon hogsheads of 1973 this joins the ranks of some impressive bottles from that vintage. 

Casks 3883-3888 were distilled on the 10th of May 1973 and bottled on the 2nd of June 2016 at a staggering 43 years old.

HKDNP

Bowmore 1973 43 Year Old​

A 2016 super-premium Bowmore bottling.

Vatting the last 6 remaining bourbon hogsheads of 1973 this joins the ranks of some impressive bottles from that vintage. 

Casks 3883-3888 were distilled on the 10th of May 1973 and bottled on the 2nd of June 2016 at a staggering 43 years old.

Benromach 1949 Classic 55 Year Old

An incredible offering from the storied Speyside distillery. This is an early post-war vintage, distilled all the way back in 1949. Since then the distillery has changed hands twice, and closed down in the intervening 55 years between then and bottling.

Closed in 1983, the distillery lay silent for 10 years before being re-opened by Gordon & MacPhail in 1998 after a year of restoration. Despite all of this upheaval, this whisky lay patiently maturing in refill bourbon barrel #706 until it was bottled in 2004.

This 55 year old is one of only 83 bottled in hand-blown glass bottles, and presented in an individually numbered burnished copper tube.

This is bottle 34.

Each set also includes a copy of the cask's \"Brewing Report.\"

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.

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.

Bowmore 1971 34 Year Old​

A cask strength 34 Year Old Bowmore matured in sherry oak.

Bottle number 377 of 960.

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. 

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. 

Balvenie 1968 Vintage Cask

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

Distilled in June 1968 and bottled in September 2000, this is a specially selected single cask Balvenie, from cask #7294. 

Bottle number 155 of 180 bottles.