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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Hanyu 1990 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #527 / Ten of Diamonds​

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2011. 

First matured in a hogshead and then finished in an American oak puncheon. 

Bottle number 322 of 585. 

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9020 / Six of Clubs

The Six of Clubs release within Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series, bottled in 2009 from cask #9020.

First matured in a hogshead before being re-racked into a cream sherry butt for a second maturation period.

Bottle 29 of 597. 

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7020 / Three of Clubs

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2009. 

Originally matured in a hogshead and then \"double new wood\" finished in two subsequent new American oak puncheons.

Bottle number 54 of 592.

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.

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.

Hakushu 25 Year Old Limited Edition

The very rare Hakushu 25 Year old... Jim Murray gave it 93 out of 100 and said \"a malt which is impossible not to be blown away by\".

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

Hakushu 25 Year Old Limited Edition

The very rare Hakushu 25 Year old... Jim Murray gave it 93 out of 100 and said \"a malt which is impossible not to be blown away by\".

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

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.

Hibiki 30 Year Old / Kacho Fugetsu Limited Edition

The Kacho Fugetsu Hibiki 30 year old is at the pinnacle of the Hibiki range and a prefect example of their appreciation of the beauty of Japanese nature. The special limited release was exclusive to travel retail in 2015.

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory. Here is a just a snapshot of its accolades:

• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2004 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2006 
• Word Whisky Awards 2007 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2007 
• Word Whisky Awards 2008 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2008

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #1305 / Five of Diamonds​

A single cask #1305 Hanyu, bottled within the Ichiro's Malt 'Card' series of whiskies.

Distilled in 2000 and matured in a hogshead before being moved into a Sherry butt for a second maturation period. 

Bottle number 45 of 652.

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.

Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #405 / Six of Hearts​

Part of the legendary 'Card' series from Ichiro Akuto.

Distilled in 1991 and bottled 2012 from cask #405

The first cask was a hogshead before being re-racked into an American Oak Puncheon.

This is bottle number 428 of 564 bottles.

Hakushu 25 Year Old

The very rare Hakushu 25 Year old... Jim Murray gave it 93 out of 100 and said \"a malt which is impossible not to be blown away by\".

Russian import, this is bottle number 9143. 

Highland Park 1958 40 Year Old

A legendary 40 year old Highland Park released alongside branded decanter and a book which celebrates Highland Park and Orkney.

This magnificent whisky is presented in a hardwood case.

Bottle number 428 of 665 produced. 

This lot has a 2 bottle shipping fee. 

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.

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt The Joker 'Colour'

The 54th and final bottling in Ichiro's Card Series.

There are two Joker's released to complete the 54 bottle series, one in colour and one in Black and White.  This particular bottling is the Colour Joker, a vatting of 14 casks covering vintages from 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 2000.  The casks used for this final bottling include a sherry butt, puncheon, hogshead, Cognac, chibidaru, Madeira hogshead and bourbon.

Only 3,690 bottles of this highly sought after whisky have been made available. This is bottle number 3160.

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt The Joker 'Colour'

The 54th and final bottling in Ichiro's Card Series.

There are two Joker's released to complete the 54 bottle series, one in colour and one in Black and White.  This particular bottling is the Colour Joker, a vatting of 14 casks covering vintages from 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 2000.  The casks used for this final bottling include a sherry butt, puncheon, hogshead, Cognac, chibidaru, Madeira hogshead and bourbon.

Only 3,690 bottles of this highly sought after whisky have been made available.

This is bottle number 2037.

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. 

Cardhu 1973 Rare Malt 25 Year Old 75cl / 60.5%

The Rare Malt Selection is a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

Released at an impressive natural cask strength of 60.5%, distilled in 1973 and bottled in October 1998 as a 25 year old.

There were only two releases of Cardhu under the Rare Malt Selection, this is bottle number 787 of the first.

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.

Hanyu 1988 Full Proof 'Nice Butt' Single Cask #9307

A 1988 vintage Hanyu, bottled fro Full Proof Europe with their usual, unusual label.

This is a circa 19 year old single cask fro the closed Japanese distillery, bottled in 2008.

Number 386 of 534 bottles. 

Hanyu 1988 Noh Single Cask 21 Year Old #9306

A Hanyu Noh cask label, distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2009.

Drawn from single Spanish oak sherry butt #9306.

One of 625 bottles.

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. 

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.

Highland Park 1967 John Scott's 42 Year Old

Distilled in in 1967 and bottled by John Scott's in 2009 after being matured in single sherry cask #6282.

The fifth and final bottling in the 'John Scott's' range.

Bottle number 27 of 190.