The warmest of welcomes everyone to our now live 164th auction!  We have some absolute crackers in the selection this month, from full casks to well-aged Japanese rarities to vintage Speyside’s and everything in between.  So without further ado here are a few of the bottles this month which have caught our eye.

To kick things off we take a trip to the beautiful island of Islay, this is the Bowmore 1964 Trilogy – Black, White & Gold 3 x 70cl.  This lot represents a rare opportunity to purchase the coveted 1964 trilogy in its entirety.  Including the Black 42 year old Oloroso cask, the White 43 year old Bourbon cask and the Gold 44 year old which is combination of both Oloroso and Bourbon casks.  These releases are highly sought-after by collectors when offered as individual bottles, so we would expect a clamour for these given it is a complete set.

Next up is a bottle from a consistently popular distillery, this is the Dalmore 1926 50 Year Old.  1926 was the year when John Logie Baird publicly revealed his invention the ‘television’, it was the height of prohibition in the United States, and the year that the great Houdini passed away.  But more importantly, it was the year this tremendous dram was produced.  After spending 50 years ageing it was finally bottled in an unassuming ceramic decanter which belies the precious liquid contained therein.

This is the coveted Karuizawa 1964 48 Year Old Wealth Solutions bottling. This extremely rare whisky has been in a 400 litre Sherry butt for just over 48 years before being bottled. At the time, this was the oldest release from this cult distillery with just 143 bottles from the cask.  The presentation is stunning: a bespoke, heavyweight version of the traditional Karuizawa bottle is housed in a beautiful wooden box made using Polish black fossil oak.  The wood is hundreds of years old and has been recovered from ancient Polish swamps – this is a reference to the last character in the name “Karuizawa”, which means “swamp”.

And now onto a well-aged bottle from one of the giants of Scottish distilling, this is the Macallan 1962 25 Year Old Crystal Decanter 75cl.  A wonderful looking dram this one, which offers the buyer a chance to taste how Macallan used to do things over six decades ago.  Bottled at 43% in a wonderfully understated crystal decanter this little gem from the Speyside behemoth that is Macallan would be a worthy addition to even the finest of whisky collections.

Last but by no means least we have a selection of full casks for purchase this month.  All recently re-gauged and held at Whisky Broker in Dumfries and Galloway, this is a great opportunity to purchase your own full cask of whisky, so often the dream of many a whisky enthusiast.

• Glenallachie 2016 Refill Bourbon 8 Year Old
• Ben Nevis 2019 Refill Bourbon 5 Year Old 
• Tormore 2016 Refill Bourbon 8 Year Old
• Whitlaw 2016 Ex Bourbon 8 Year Old

So if owning a cask of your own maturing whisky has always been an ambition then this is a great opportunity to purchase one.

DECADENT DRAMS WESTPORT – 21 YEAR OLD

This Decadent Drams release is a Westport 2003 21 year old. Technically a blended malt, Westport is well known as a filling name used by Glenmorangie. This bottling matured in a refill hogshead before being finished in a 1st fill sherry hogshead for over two years. Its big, rich, velvety and very delicious.

This latest bottling of Decadent Drams is a Westport ‘blended malt’, distilled in 2003, aged for 21 years and bottled at natural cask strength.

It started life in a refill hogshead before being finished for over two years in a 1st fill oloroso sherry hogshead. It’s juicy, velvety, rich and hyer-sippable. With neither a Giraffe or a teaspoon in sight!

£150.00 incVAT

Carsebridge (silent)

Fragrant Drops

48 YO · 70cl · 45.3% ABV

£239.95

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Bottled by the independent Fragrant Drops this 48 year old whisky from the silent Carsebridge distillery is one of only 202 bottles produced.

Nose: sarsaparilla, marzipan, jelly diamonds and blanched almonds.

Palate: Cherry lips, gummy bears and the gooey centre of a humbug.

Finish: wood spice, cherry menthol, butter mints and liquorice root.

The Connoisseurs Choice range lies at the heart of Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio, demonstrating the pursuit of perfection in matching cask with spirit. Always non-chill-filtered, these single cask and small batch expressions offer an ever-changing collection of unique perspectives on distilleries’ own bottlings.

For the malt whisky explorer this delivers a journey of discovery through different flavours, finishes, strengths and vintages. This 31 year old Balblair has been matured in a sherry butt and bottled at a cask strength of 54.2%

£720.00

Balblair 1993,
31 Year Old
Tasting Notes:
Nose:  Rich blackcurrant infuse with treacle and aniseed.
Palate: Raspberry flavours combine with redcurrant followed by black pepper.
Finish: A medium bodied finish with lingering fruit cake and ginger spice

Cask Type: Sherry Butt

Cask Number: 1963

Limited Edition | Single Cask

Aberfeldy 15YO Cadillac Wine Finish, 43%

https://youtu.be/87GXn5hTPU0

A review of the Aberfeldy 15 year old Cadillac French Wine cask finish single malt scotch whisky.

Sweet wine/dessert wines tend to have one key focus, that being Sauternes and Chateau’s such as D’yquem pull in all of the attention. However, the use of this style of sweet wine, Cadillac, introduces some deeper and more powerful flavours to what Aberfeldy can offer. Aberfeldy is typically a buttery, tropical, honeyed style of highland single malt, and still is. The influences of different styles of barrel on this spirit are rather impressive to see whilst still retaining its house profile.

Mac-Talla Unveils Limited Edition Virgin Oak Whisky: A Sweet, Peated Masterpiece.

Launch Date: 13th February 2025

RRP: £74

Available in: UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, Israel

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is proud to announce the release of Mac-Talla Virgin Oak, a captivating, limited edition whisky that brings together the best of Islay’s peated heritage and the sweetness of virgin oak maturation. Set to launch on 13th February 2025, this distinctive whisky will be available in select markets including the UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, and Israel.

Crafted with passion and precision, Mac-Talla Virgin Oak is a no-age-statement expression that offers a uniquely sweet and smoky whisky experience. Fully matured in a combination of bourbon barrels and #4 char virgin American oak casks from Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky, this whisky represents a harmonious marriage of two distinct cask types, which has been further enriched by a final period of maturation in Virgin Oak barrels. The result is a whisky that is unlike any other in the Mac-Talla range.

What Makes Mac-Talla Virgin Oak Special?

Virgin oak, while becoming increasingly popular in the Scotch whisky industry, has never been featured in a core range Mac-Talla product—until now. This limited edition expression provides a richer, sweeter experience compared to the core range releases, Mara and Terra. The influence of virgin oak works wonders to balance the peat, softening its intensity while allowing the whisky to reveal layers of complex, indulgent flavors.

The result is a whisky that is both peaty and sweet. Initially, it starts with the delicate, floral character of an Islay spirit, which is gradually transformed by the virgin oak into a beautifully balanced profile. The peat is softened to reveal warm notes of toffee, sticky toffee pudding, muscovado sugar, and subtle spices, creating a whisky that is indulgent and deeply satisfying.

Cask Details and Whisky Creation Process

Mac-Talla Virgin Oak has been matured in 27 American Standard barrels sourced from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky. The casks impart a deep richness to the whisky, marrying perfectly with the peated spirit. After maturing, the whisky was vatted, married, and bottled at Aberargie Distillery, where every step of the process is carefully monitored to ensure the highest quality.

Tasting Notes:

• Colour: Golden Barley
• Nose: Deep oak spice, toffee apples, and muscovado sugar
• Taste: Rich smoked oak, warm baking spices, sticky toffee pudding, and creamy butterscotch

A Journey of Taste

Mac-Talla Virgin Oak stands as a testament to Morrison Scotch Whisky distillers dedication to creating exceptional whisky with a focus on craftsmanship and innovation. By offering a whisky with a sweeter, richer profile, this limited edition expression is the perfect addition to the journey of taste that Mac-Talla represents. It offers whisky lovers a chance to experience something new, a departure from the more traditional peated expressions, all while maintaining the distinct Islay character that defines Mac-Talla.

Availability & Pricing

The Mac-Talla Virgin Oak Limited Edition whisky will be available for purchase from 13th February 2025 at an RRP of £74. With only a limited number of casks produced, this whisky is expected to be highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Don’t miss out on this unique whisky experience—discover the extraordinary sweetness and peat balance of Mac-Talla Virgin Oak.

Stockists: Mac Talla Virgin Oak will be available from handpicked retailers across UK and Europe from 13th February 2025 – for more details on stockists, visit:  https://mactallawhisky.com/stockists

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is solely owned and operated by one of Scotland’s oldest and most prominent whisky families, Jamie and Brian Morrison. There has been over five generations of the Morrison family involved in the whisky business including grocers, brokers, blenders, bottlers and distillers, making them one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families.

Their heritage gives them access to a wide variety of unique and exceptional casks from pedigree distilleries across Scotland. Their family’s values are run through everything they do and they proudly showcase these underneath each of their bottles reiterating their commitment to Patience, Intuition and Integrity.

In every whisky they release, they are committed to continue to impart the knowledge that has been passed down from generations of family whisky makers. Our chairman’s great-grandfather, William Walker, one of the pre-eminent whisky brokers of his era, worked closely with various distilleries on the island, even advocating on behalf of the Islay whisky trade to American businesses on the repeal of US prohibition in 1933.

Walker grew very fond of Islay, where he eventually purchased a home, and played an integral part in developing transport, trade and marketing of the Island’s produce.  His philanthropic nature was deeply appreciated by Islay residents – with the Glasgow Islay Association (of which he was a life member and chairman) noting in 1934 “In the Island itself, he has closely identified himself with every cause worthy of support”.

In 1963 a chance lunchtime encounter at a Glasgow restaurant led to Stanley P Morrison, the son-in-law of William Walker, purchasing Islay’s oldest distillery — Bowmore (established in 1779) — that evening. Morrison Bowmore Distillers was created and emerged as a globally-recognised brand of quality Single Malt Scotch Whisky, producing a characterful spirit with some legendary bottlings. Morrison Bowmore Distillers was acquired by Suntory in 1994.

To find out more about Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers visit www.morrisondistillers.com or for MacTalla visit www.mactallawhisky.com

DECADENT DRAMS MORTLACH – 19 YEAR OLD

A single 1st fill barrel of 2005 19 year old Mortlach bottled at natural cask strength. This latest Decadent Drams release comes with a witch-themed label that is 100% better that the vast majority of official Mortlachs these days.

It’s also unusual to see this distillery at this age in a 1st fill barrel. Very big, fat, fruity and richly oily whisky.

This totally magic Decadent Drams bottling is a single 1st fill barrel of Mortlach, distilled in 2005, aged for 19 years and bottled at natural cask strength. Come be bewitched by this latest Decadent potion, let us wave a whisky wand and allow yourself to become spellbound by this weighty, fruity, sweet, oily and fantastical single cask Mortlach. Other atrocious witch-themed patter available for free on the rear label.

£180.00 incVAT

Glen Keith

Sweet Disposition

25 YO · 70cl · 53.6% ABV

£174.95

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Palate: Enticingly sweet with eucalyptus, honey, pear drops Moffat toffee, lime cordial and strawberry laces. Glazed doughnuts, shortcake and provides a cereal rich depth. The palate is smooth and gentle

Nose: A fresh cut bouquet of sweet flowers such as Gardenia and Sweet Pea. Fruity aromas of Perry, water melon and granny smith apples.

Finish: A clean and fresh finish that is short but rewarding with lime zest and candied fruits.

Old Soul 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $69.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The Homecoming Collection fuses whisky and creativity, celebrating the liquid art of whisky-making with the illustrations of Leith-based artist, Shona Hardie. This ultimate whisky flight will take you on a journey to reconnect with the heritage of Leith and our spiritual home, The Vaults. The full four-bottle Homecoming Collection is now available online.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLECTION

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video