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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Ardbeg 1973 Sestante 15 Year Old

One of two very rare Ardbeg's bottled by the famous Italian bottler, Sestante. 

Only very rarely will you find Ardbeg from this period these days, it is well worth investigating these older bottlings, even more so when they are from bottlers such as Sestante.

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.

Bottled in 1988.

Ardbeg 1973 Sestante 15 Year Old

One of two very rare Ardbeg's bottled by the famous Italian bottler, Sestante. 

Only very rarely will you find Ardbeg from this period these days, it is well worth investigating these older bottlings, even more so when they are from bottlers such as Sestante.

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.

Bottled in 1988.

Ardbeg 1974 Signatory Vintage 24 Year Old

A single vintage Ardbeg from Signatory Vintage.

Distilled on Islay on the 22nd March 1974, and bottled in April 1998 from casks #622 and #1034.

Bottle number 78 of 362 filled at cask strength.

Speyburn 12 Year Old Flora and Fauna / Wooden Box

The mythical 12 year old Speyburn Flora and Fauna release.  

Distillerys Company Ltd (DCL) created the Flora and Fauna series in the early 1990s.

When DCL sold the distillery to Inverhouse Distillers this bottle was discontinued, quickly making it the rarest of the Flora and Fauna bottlings.

Springbank 1973 Cadenhead's 18 Year Old Rum Butt

A tropical storm hits Campbeltown with this Springbank fully matured in a Rum Butt.

Distilled in June 1973 and bottled in September 1991 by Cadenhead's.

Ardbeg 1974 Signatory Vintage 23 Year Old

A single cask Ardbeg from Signatory Vintage.

Distilled on Islay on the 22nd March 1974, and bottled in December 1997 from cask #1042.

Bottle number 13 of 206 filled at cask strength.

Ardbeg Auriverdes Gold Edition

This shiny Ardbeg Auriverdes, launched on 31st May 2014 on 'Ardbeg Day' which coincides with the 'Ardbeg Day' with the Islay Festival.  

A very rare bottle, this Auriverdes was never made available to the public, it was only given to journalists, bloggers and distillery ambassadors before the official release at the end of May 2014.

The Auriverdes (Auri = Gold and Verdes = Green) is named after the Brazilian sports teams colours (Brazil hosted the World Cup in 2014) whilst also referring to Ardbeg's iconic green bottle and the 'golden' whisky inside.  

Strathisla 1957 Gordon and MacPhail 2007

Distilled over 60 years ago in 1957, this very well aged Strathisla was bottled by Gordon and MacPhail as part of their Distillery Labels series.

It is becoming increasingly difficult, almost impossible to find vintage whiskies these days.  Thankfully over the years Gordon and MacPhail have released bottles like this, a great old Speysider distilled over half a century ago.

Bottled in 2007.