Bidding advice
You can place bids either under the lot image on the main auction page or on the right side of the individual lot page.
Placing a Maximum Bid
Use the "Set your bid limit" button on the left side of the bidding panel to enter the highest amount you're willing to bid on a lot. Our system will then automatically raise your bid in set increments if you’re outbid, up to your maximum. If someone bids above your set limit, we’ll notify you by email so you can choose whether to increase your bid.
Placing a Single Bid
Alternatively, place a single bid by selecting the button on the right side of the bidding panel. The button displays the amount needed for the next increment. For example, if the current highest bid is £50.00, the button will show "+ £55.00" (reflecting a £5.00 increment).
Incremental Bidding Explained
Our system increases bids based on preset increments, as shown in the table below, whether you set a maximum bid or make a single bid.
Bottle Details
Port Ellen 1982 Douglas Laing 25 Year Old / Potstill Austria
For decades Port Ellen was the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. However, it developed a legendary status over the years and in 2017 Diageo eventually announced plans to re-open it. The work was completed in 2024, and the first spirit was distilled in March that year. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its first years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought-after single malt.
This whisky was distilled in April 1982 and aged in a single cask for 25 years. It was bottled at cask strength in June 2007.
Douglas Laing & Co was established in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, affectionately known as “FDL.” The company started out as a blending business, but over time their focus shifted towards independently bottlings single malts. Fred died in 1982, leaving the business to his two sons, Stewart and Fred Jr, who eventually carved it up in 2013, with Stewart leaving to establish Hunter Laing. Fred Jr and his daughter Cara now run Douglas Laing, which continues to bottle single malt and has also revived its blending business. Additionally, the company has recently moved into distilling as well, announcing plans to construct the new Clutha distillery in Glasgow, and taking over Strathearn in Perthshire in 2019.
This is part of the premium Old & Rare series. Launched in 2001, it was bottled by Douglas Laing until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.
One of 512 bottles.
Frequently asked questions
The value of a bottle can change based on supply and demand, so it’s important to get an up-to-date valuation. At Whisky Auctioneer, we provide accurate valuations based on the latest market trends.
For a free, no-obligation valuation, simply complete our quick and easy Seller Form, and we'll get back to you with an estimate.
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When browsing the bidding history for a specific lot, you will see that all bids are anonymised and only display a date and time stamp.
Whisky Auctioneer makes it easy for whisky enthusiasts and collectors worldwide to buy and sell whisky through our monthly online auctions.
For Sellers:
- Our expert Client Service team provides free valuations and support on safely getting your bottles to our offices in Perth, Utrecht or London.
- Once received, your bottles are authenticated, professionally photographed, and listed in the next available auction (or an auction of your choice).
- After the auction closes, you’ll receive payment within 21 working days, with seller fees deducted from the final amount.
For Buyers:
- Browse and bid on an exceptional selection of whisky from around the world.
- If you win, you’ll be notified by email and have 72 hours to complete payment.
- Choose to have your bottles shipped, stored, or collected. Buyer fees are applied at checkout.
Whether you’re selling rare vintages or looking for your next great bottle, our online auctions provide an effortless, trusted, and exciting way to buy and sell collectible whisky online.
You can find all the details about the fees involved in buying wine at auction on our Buyer Fees and Payment Terms page.
We use a structured bidding system to ensure a fair and smooth auction process.
Whether you set a maximum bid or manually place a single bid, the system will automatically increase your bid according to the following increments outlined in the table below.
Our monthly auctions end from 7:00 PM (UK local time) on the closing date. If a bid is placed after 7:00 PM on any lot, the entire auction will be extended by an additional two minutes.
The auction will end once all bidding has ceased for two minutes. Based on previous auction activity, the auction will continue for several hours and is most likely to finish between 9pm - 11pm (UK local time).
