As our 166th auction approaches the midway point now is the time to start getting your bids in for any of the bottles which have caught your eye this month.  We have a plethora of superb bottlings this month as well as some really interesting full casks so without further ado here are a few of the great offerings we have in the auction this month.

Brora Triptych – 1972 Elusive Legacy, 1977 Age of Peat and 1982 Timeless Original 3 x 50cl

Our first stop is in the Highlands with this fabulous collections of whiskies, this is the Brora Triptych – 1972 Elusive Legacy, 1977 Age of Peat and 1982 Timeless Original 3 x 50cl.  A distillery with a somewhat troubled past Brora has nonetheless gained a fearsome reputation for quality over the years.  This extra special set of bottlings from Brora was produced to celebrate the reopening of the distillery in 2021. With only 300 sets released, this is a genuine piece of history and includes a 38 year old, a 43 year old and a 48 year old!

Full Cask Offerings

If owning your very own cask of maturing whisky has ever been a dream of yours then we have fantastic opportunities to do just that in our auction this month.  With 5 casks available there is plenty to choose from with all casks currently in storage at Whisky Broker in Dumfries and Galloway.

BenRiach 2013 Butt #101 – 60.3%
Staoisha (Bunnahabhain) 2019 First Fill Oloroso Hogshead – 64%
Whitlaw 2016 Ex-Bourbon Barrel #655 – 59.6%
Whitlaw 2016 Ex-Bourbon Barrel #654 – 60.1%
Whitlaw 2016 Ex-Bourbon Barrel #653 – 58.8%

Chichibu Cyborg Trilogy Series 3 x 70cl

Japanese whisky has been going from strength to strength for a number of years now and with their focus on traditional methods and high quality production Chichibu have been at the forefront of the Japanese whisky revolution.  This is the Chichibu Cyborg Trilogy Series 3 x 70cl and is comprised of 3 single cask bottlings, two of which were aged in ex-Bourbon barrels and one aged in an Imperial IPA cask.  Following on from the Sci-Fi theme of the popular Intergalactic series the cyborg series features Ghost in the Shell style augmented humans on their rather cool labels.

Longrow 1974 25 Year Old

From Japanese Sci-Fi ladies to the picturesque Mull of Kintyre, this understated beauty is the Longrow 1974 25 Year Old.  The first distillation of Longrow was carried out in 1973 as an experiment, when the Chairman of Springbank Distillery set out to prove that it was possible to produce an Islay style single malt whisky on the mainland, and boy are we glad he did.  With its pungent punch and muscular finish Longrow has long been a favourite dram of us whisky nerds here at SWA, and this one is as good as they come!   Distilled just after production began in earnest and aged for a whopping 25 years this a very special dram indeed.As always, we have a wide range of drams with something to suit everyone, so now is the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites for your watchlist. Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

Thinking of selling your bottles? 

We still offer 0% commission to all sellers making Scotch Whisky Auctions the best place to sell bottles.

For all relevant information just click here.

APRIL 2025 AUCTION NOW LIVE!

The clocks have sprung forward bringing us all an hour closer to our April auction! We have a wide variety of whiskies on offer this month, with a few ones that we think may require closer inspection, including this stunning 30 Year Old Glenglassaugh.

Distilled in 1972 by the now closed Speyside distillery Caperdonich, then bottled in 2011, this Connoisseur’s Choice bottling is a cracking example of the range that George Urquhart pioneered in the late 1960’s by selecting casks from from distilleries all over Scotland.

Officially released in the beginning of October 2023, the inaugural and historic first expression from the Isle of Harris ‘The Hearach’ derives It’s name from the Gaelic word Na Heardh, translating to ‘a person from Harris’. The 1,916 bottles produced for this momentous bottling, signifies the total number of people living on the Island. This is bottle number 1,356 of only 1,916 bottles produced.

Or how about this extraordinarily rare Macallan miniature which has rarely appeared at auction. No definitive age or abv is stated but the whisky itself was distilled in 1985 then bottled in 1995 for the 3i Group, which is a British multinational private equity and venture capital company based in London, England. 3i is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our April 2025 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 20^th April from 8pm BST.

Welcome one and all to our now live 166th auction!  We have some really interesting drams this month from just about every whisky producing nation on earth, not to mention a wide selection of other spirits and tipples to whet your appetite.  We also have some good news for our US customers this month as we can now ship to an additional 17 states, for a full list of available states check here.  So, without further ado, here are a few of the highlights from this month’s offerings.

Shirakawa 1958

This is the earliest-known single vintage Japanese whisky ever bottled, and as such is a tremendous rarity, this is the Shirakawa 1958.  Shirakawa Distillery was built in Fukushima in 1939 and was demolished in 2003. It became one of the first distilleries in Japan to produce malt whisky in 1951 and it continued to do so until 1969. In 2019, single malt whisky from the distillery was discovered after being sat in one of its parent company’s warehouses for decades, and this fine bottling is the result.  One of only 1500 bottles released this is a must-have for any collectors of Japanese whisky.

Old Fitzgerald Prime 1971 Rip Van Winkle Porcelain Decanter 4/5 Quart

Next up we have a bottle which is the very definition of quirky, this fantastic little oddball is the Old Fitzgerald Prime 1971 Rip Van Winkle Porcelain Decanter.  As any bourbon aficionado will attest, Old Fitzgerald is a supremely well-balanced bourbon and as such is held in high regard for the exceptional craftsmanship evident in its production.  And what’s better than a vintage Old Fitz?  An Old Fitz in a porcelain representation of Old Rip Van Winkle himself that’s what, calmly snoozing off the effects of some mightily strong liquor.

Springbank 1969 40 Year Old Signatory

It wouldn’t be a highlight reel without something delicious and well-aged from Scotland too, so here is a mighty fine Springbank 1969 40 Year Old Signatory.  Distilled in the same year Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, this unctuous dram has spent 4 decades ageing to perfection in a refill sherry butt and is one of only 356 bottles produced.  Springbank’s of this age and vintage are notoriously hard to find so this bottling is as rare as it is enticing.

Karuizawa 35 Year Old Emerald Geisha Cask #8518

We opened with a Japanese rarity from a silent distillery so let’s close with one too, this beauty is the Karuizawa 35 Year Old Emerald Geisha Cask #8518.  Bottled by Elixir Distillers exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, this is one of two bottlings, it’s counterpart being a single cask 33 year old Sherry aged single malt, suitably crowned the Golden Cask which you can also find here in this month’s auction.  The Geisha series of Karuizawas combine rare well-aged Japanese whisky with classy design and have been commanding a premium on the secondary market since their first appearance on the scene.

As always, we have a tremendous lineup of top-shelf drams on offer, but we also have a wide range available from more modest drinkers to these more salubrious tipples, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

EXCEPTIONAL 100% NO RESERVE SINGLE-OWNER WHISKY SALES AT BONHAMS

Independent Spirits: A Single Owner Collection – No Reserve

4 – 23 April | Paris

Left: Akashi 2016 Single Tawny Port Cask 4 Year Old #61966 50cl Ghost Series #15. Estimate: €200-300. Right: Shizuoka 3 Year Old Ghost series #20, 2019 (1x 70cl). Estimate: €400-600

The 311-lot sale includes 700 bottles, all offered with no reserve, assembled by a passionate French collector over fifteen years. Most of the collection was assembled at La Maison du Whisky, at auction, and abroad during his travels in Europe and Asia.

A collectable Springbank 26 Year Old 1996 Sponge Special Edition whisky stars the curation. Springbank distillery has been owned and operated by the Mitchell family in Campbeltown since 1837, and it one of Scotland’s most revered distilleries. Bottled in 2023, this much sought-after bottle is one of 365 ever produced. It is offered with an estimate of €900-1,200. 

Many independent bottlings of Scotch whisky and whiskies produced by young Japanese distilleries such as Chichibu, Mars, Kanosuke and Shizuoka will be offered at auction. The collection also includes Irish whiskies and whiskies from around the world (Taiwan, India, Wales, England, Australia).

The collection also offers a strong selection by independent bottlers from the UK (particularly Decadent Drinks) as well as France, Belgium and Germany.

Other highlights in the sale include:

• Glenrothes 44 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection, 1974 (1x 70cl). Estimate: €1,500-2,000

• Chichibu Paris Edition 2022 (2). Estimate: €600-800

• Kanosuke Single Malt 2021 First Edition and Kanosuke Single Malt 2021 Second Edition. Estimate: €400-600

Catalogue

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

Our March 2025 Auction ENDS TONIGHT!

Place your bids  until 7pm (GMT) Sunday 23rd March 2025.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 40 Year Old (1979 Fine and Rare)

Cadenhead’s – Cask Strength Collection (6 x 70cl)

Karuizawa – 35 Year Old Emerald Geisha (Cask #8518)

Lagavulin – 37 Year Old (1976)

Highland Park – 40 Year Old (1958)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

MARCH 2025 AUCTION ENDING SOON!

Just in case you overlooked them, here is a little look at a few little gems in this month’s auction. Check them out before it’s too late! Starting with this Oban 19 Year Old 1995 Manager’s Dram. Annually released from a single distillery in that portfolio, the Distillery Manager is tasked to choose the finest casks from that distillery to produce this yearly malt which is then bottled at Cask strength in limited numbers. This is a cracking example.

Or how about this rare commemorative expression, released in 1997 to mark the 199th anniversary of Aultmore Distillery, listing the staff that worked at the distillery at the time of its centenary. This is bottle number 27.

Dalbeallie Dram was bottled in honour of the local train station situated beside the distillery nestling in near proximity to the River Spey. The train station actually played and important part in the history of the much loved Speyside distillery with the trains carrying consignments of Spanish Sherry Casks to the distillery. Released in 2018 during the annual Spirit of Speyside Festival, Dalbeallie Dram was received with great acclaim amongst the whisky fraternity. Completely matured in Sherry Casks and bottled at Cask strength, only 1,000 bottles were produced!

Or how about this stylish bottle of Rosebank, distilled in 1981 and then bottled at Cask strength in 1997. Bottle number 603.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our March 2025 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 23^rd March from 8pm GMT.

MARCH AUCTION HALFWAY THROUGH!

Released in early 2020, the fifth instalment of the Macallan Folio series tells the story of an individual who, after a day of sport in Speyside, bemoans a chance from the Laird to share a glass of Macallan with him, because he had taken down the lugs of his bonnet and couldn’t hear the offer of a warming glass of Macallan!

Although this well-known blended whisky in now produced by Diageo in Scotland, it was first produced by James Logan Mackie in Edinburgh in 1861. Older bottlings of White Horse are incredibly sought after, in particular due to the fact that a good proportion of malt used in the blend comes from Lagavulin Distillery. This particular example was bottled in 1949 by Royal appointment to His Majesty the King.

Or how about this well-aged expression, distilled at the much loved Speyside distillery Glen Grant. This rare release marked the opening of their new visitors centre on the 28th of May 2008, available only to those that attended the celebrations. Bottled straight from a single Cask at natural Cask strength and limited to only 85 bottles with bottle number hand-written and including the signature of the Master Distiller Sir Dennis Malcolm!

Distilled in 1974 at Benrinnes Distillery, aged for 21 years then bottled at a natural Cask strength, this is a lovely example of the highly-regarded Rare Malts range.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our March 2025 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 23^rd March from 8pm GMT.

Iron Gates’ second Spirits Auction of the year features Canada’s finest spirits available. Highlights include iconic Scotch like the 1971 Glenfarclas 43YO from the Family Casks series and 1964 Glenfiddich Sherry Cask 40YO. Bourbon enthusiasts will find treasures like the rarely seen Weller Millennium and Double Eagle Very Rare 20YO. Fine global spirits, such as Richard Hennessy Cognac and Moutai 50-Year-Old—a legendary Chinese baijiu being auctioned for the first time in the country.

Auction Ends March 24th.

THE AUCTION

Iron Gate Auctions is pleased to continue working with our partners at Calgary Shipping to handle the safe and effective shipment of your auction winnings across Canada. Offering flat rate shipping to select cities, Multi-Day Refrigerated shipping and more.

Our March 2025 Auction is now LIVE!

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 40 Year Old (1979 Fine and Rare)

Cadenhead’s – Cask Strength Collection (6 x 70cl)

Karuizawa – 35 Year Old Emerald Geisha (Cask #8518)

Lagavulin – 37 Year Old (1976)

Highland Park – 40 Year Old (1958)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

Iron Gates’ second Spirits Auction of the year features Canada’s finest spirits available. Highlights include iconic Scotch like the 1971 Glenfarclas 43YO from the Family Casks series and 1964 Glenfiddich Sherry Cask 40YO. Bourbon enthusiasts will find treasures like the rarely seen Weller Millennium and Double Eagle Very Rare 20YO. Fine global spirits, such as Richard Hennessy Cognac and Moutai 50-Year-Old—a legendary Chinese baijiu being auctioned for the first time in the country.

Auction Starts March 17th.  Ends March 24th.

THE AUCTION

Iron Gate Auctions is pleased to continue working with our partners at Calgary Shipping to handle the safe and effective shipment of your auction winnings across Canada. Offering flat rate shipping to select cities, Multi-Day Refrigerated shipping and more.