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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Willett Family Estate 22 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon #C20D / Wheated

A wheated Willett, released on the 16th September 2015 at the Willet gift shop, this well-aged Bourbon was matured in barrel #C20D. The Willett Family Reserve is bottled by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers using barrels sourced from other companies. They have stock from nearly every Kentucky distillery in their warehouses, with their wheated bourbon of this age most likely coming from Bernheim.

This was a special release for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

Bottle number 19 of 92 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 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. 

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

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

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. The lack of serial number and non-embossed label means this is a pre-2007 bottling when the Van Winkle 20 year old was produced exclusively using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

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. 

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 2011 bottling, when the Van Winkle 20 year old was produced exclusively using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

Serial number is M2781120:49

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

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 2009 bottling, when the Van Winkle 20 year old was produced exclusively using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

Serial number is J1480909:17

Port Ellen 1978 24 Year Old 2nd Release

The second of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1978 and bottled 24 years later in 2002, bottled at cask strength and limited to 12,000 bottles.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel of 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.

Bottle number 10185.

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

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 2008 bottling, when the Van Winkle 20 year old was produced exclusively using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

Serial number J2840808:30

Port Ellen 1978 31 Year Old 10th Release 

The tenth release of this famed Limited Edition series from Diageo. 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.

Distilled 1978 and bottled in 2010.

This is bottle 0939 of only 3000.

Port Ellen 1978 29 Year Old 8th Release

The eighth of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 29 years later in 2008, bottled at cask strength and limited to 6,618 bottles.

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.

This is bottle number 786. 

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Family Reserve

The teenager of this family of world-renowned American whiskies, now in incredibly high demand!

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old replaced the Old Rip Van Winkle of the same age in 2004. Van Winkle has been bottled at Buffalo Trace since 2002. This is a 2017 bottling.

Bottle code: L172560114:117

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Family Reserve

The teenager of this family of world-renowned American whiskies, now in incredibly high demand!

This is a 2017 bottling. Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old replaced the Old Rip Van Winkle of the same age in 2004. Van Winkle has been bottled at Buffalo Trace since 2002.

L172560109:377

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Family Reserve

The teenager of this family of world-renowned American whiskies, now in incredibly high demand!

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old replaced the Old Rip Van Winkle of the same age in 2004. Van Winkle has been bottled at Buffalo Trace since 2002. This is a 2015 bottling.

Bottle code: B151690807M

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Family Reserve

The teenager of this family of world-renowned American whiskies, now in incredibly high demand!

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old replaced the Old Rip Van Winkle of the same age in 2004. Van Winkle has been bottled at Buffalo Trace since 2002.

The bottle code is mostly worn off, however this appears to be a 2013 bottling.

Port Ellen 1979 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old

A single cask Port Ellen distilled in December 1979 and bottled in 2009 as part of Douglas Laing's Platinum Selection. 

This is one of 261 bottles.