October 2018 Auction

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.

Yamazaki 25 Year Old Limited Edition

A limited edition of around 100 bottles celebrating Japanese hospitality. This whisky has been matured for 25 years in the finest Oloroso sherry casks.

This limited edition bottling is decorated with a five-cord 'Mizuhiki', which symbolises the joining of hands and hearts of the giver and recipient. 

Yamazaki 25 Year Old

As we all know, Yamazaki has ascended into the position of one of the most desirable and sought after whiskies in the world.

This 25 year old is matured exclusively in the finest Oloroso sherry casks and presented in a very elegant, simple box.

Bottle number 10937.

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.

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. 

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 2017 Edition

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

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.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 2017 Edition

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare, expensive and difficult to cooper into casks, hence why it is used so sparingly.

Yamazaki 1998 Single Cask #CU70066​

Single cask Yamazaki are very rare and hard to find these days.

This was distilled in 1998 and matured in sherry butt #CU70066 until bottling in 2012.

Bottle number 172.

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.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old / with Miniature 5cl

An amazing blend, not only because the whisky is 50 years old but because it contains over 50 whiskies including many from now closed distilleries. The whiskies were blended at birth - something rarely seen these days which means that for 50 years the flavours have been harmonising and interacting with each other. The majority of this was sold as a 30 year old in 1995, but the remainder was given a secondary maturation in Oloroso sherry casks for a further 20 years. 

Bottled by hand in 2015 and sealed with wax, the bottle of The Last Drop 50 Year Old nestles in a luxurious leather case, along with a 50ml miniature, so that owners can taste this magnificent liquid before deciding to open the bottle.

You will also find within the box a special compartment containing a signed and numbered leather-bound book, certifying your bottle of The Last Drop 50 Year Old, and with room for your own tasting notes as you explore this extraordinary blend. 

Bottle number 822 of 898. 

Tamnavulin 20 Year Old Moon Import

A very impressive Moon Import bottling of Tamnavulin, matured for 20 years in sherry wood. 

Bottle number 558. 

Yoichi 1987 SMWS 26 Year Old 116.20

A SMWS bottling of Yoichi, distilled on 7th November 1987 and bottled after 26 years in 2014.

This bottling is titled \"Fascinating Complexity and Finesse\".

Matured in a virgin oak puncheon and limited to 452 bottles.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks, aged between 12 and 15 years old and even 25 years old, blended together with older single malt stock by chief blender Shinji Fukuyo.

This bottling is the follow up to the famous 2013 release which won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

5000 bottles were produced which is less than third of the quantity of the previous release of Yamazaki Sherry Cask, of which there were approximately 16,000 bottles.

Yoichi 1987 SMWS 26 Year Old 116.20

A SMWS bottling of Yoichi, distilled on 7th November 1987 and bottled after 26 years in 2014.

This bottling is titled \"Fascinating Complexity and Finesse\".

Matured in a virgin oak puncheon and limited to 452 bottles.

Talisker 1978 40 Year Old Bodega Series No. 1

A beautifully-presented addition to the upper end of Talisker's range. 

The Bodega Series aims to re-imagine the flavour profile of older, heavily-sherried Talisker whilst using modern techniques. 

This first release of three in the series pays tribute to the Delgado bodega, the oldest in the region around Jerez. Delgado's speciality is Amontillado, and five of their most special casks were used for this Talisker's final period of maturation. 

Bottle number 1402 of only 2000.

Yamazaki 2000 Single Casks / Whisky Shop 3rd Anniversary

A Yamazaki distilled in 2000 aged in a Spanish oak sherry butt and bottled in 2013 for the 3rd Anniversary of the Whisky Shop. 

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.

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Cask Strength Barrel Decanter 1 Litre

A fun barrel-shaped decanter containing a whole litre of 12 year old Yamazaki, bottled at 58%. 

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. 

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. 

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 1733.

Port Ellen 1978 34 Year Old 13th Release

The thirteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 34 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 2,958 bottles, this is bottle 2204.

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. 

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2013

Yamazaki has been thrust into the spot light after their Sherry Cask release of 2013 received the title of Best Whisky in the World title from Jim Murray.  

They have released several other limited annual editions including this Mizunara matured bottling.    

Mizunara (Japanese Oak) is famous for imparting it's own characteristics onto the whisky stored within them such as sandalwood and other notes.  

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

The oldest release as part of the 'Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve' series of bourbons.  

Matured for an incredible 23 years, this is now one of the most desirable, collectable and stunning Bourbon whiskeys in the world. This is a 2014 bottling and is from the last batch to contain the original Stitzel-Weller barrels that Julian Van Winkle III transferred to Buffalo Trace in 2002.

Bottle number F2628.

Bottle code: B1413213:17K.

Port Ellen 1983 32 Year Old 15th Release

The fifteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 32 years later in 2015, 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 number 325. 

Parker's Heritage Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Parker's Heritage Collection from Heaven Hill is always highly anticipated, and this was the 3rd in the series, bottled in 2009.

The boutique series honours the now late Parker Beam, Heaven Hill's former Master Distiller. Along with Buffalo Trace's Elmer T Lee, he was one of only two Master Distillers to have a bourbon named after them while they were still alive.

This release celebrated Parker's 50th year working for the company, his Golden Anniversary. The bottle is a marriage of barrels distilled in each of the five decades he spent with the distillery since his first day in 1960.

This bottle therefore contains bourbon distilled at both the old Heaven Hill distillery in Bardstown, and their new home at Bernheim.

Port Ellen 1970 Gordon and MacPhail 16 Year Old

A 1980s bottling of Port Ellen by Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1970.

Port Ellen distillery closed in 1983 and has developed an incredible reputation ever since. It is now considered the lost jewel in the crown that is Islay distilling.

Presented in their classic brown livery.

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve

This bourbon has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 X 3 bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

Now incredibly hard to find and even harder to buy from any retailer. This is a 2015 bottling.

Serial number is B1507109:25M