LONGROW 100 PROOF BATCH 2

Batch 2 of the new Longrow 100 PROOF series is matured in a combination of Bourbon and Red Wine casks and bottled at 57.1% ABV. Our signature peaty Longrow spirit pairs beautifully with these bold cask flavours, creating a rich and intense expression.

NOSE Notes of redcurrants, Madagascan vanilla, tiger prawns, salami and peppercorns introduce this dram, with an ashy note present from the start.

PALATE The peat smoke builds on the palate, with notes of tobacco, cigar smoke, dark fruits and leather.

FINISH A spiciness comes to the forefront in notes of chilli peppers, along with cherry menthol and the continuation of the peat smoke.

57.1% ABV

UK RRP £60 – £64

Updated Online Diploma Now Available

Our online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky has been refreshed for 2026, bringing the world of whisky right up to date. The World Whiskies module, now authored by leading whisky writer Dave Broom, explores global styles, traditions and flavour profiles, while Iain Russell adds new in-depth video discussions with Dave in the History module, providing clarity, debate and engaging insight.

The Diploma’s tasting pack has also been updated, with six carefully selected whiskies (in addition to the nine samples that accompany the blind Sensory element of the final assessment). Current students can access all updates immediately via their learner Dashboard, while new candidates can join to experience the most up-to-date, SQA-certified whisky qualification available.

🛒 Learn More

Victoria Whisky Festival Exclusive Casks – Meikle Toir, Stillhead & Signatory Bunnahabhain

Adam and Andrew discuss the trilogy of smoky single casks that debuted at the 20th Victoria Whisky Festival here in Victoria BC Canada. Discover an Islay infused 100% rye whisky crafted right here on Vancouver Island by Stillhead. Canada’s first ever single cask Meikle Toir from Billy Walker’s GlenAllachie distillery in Speyside. And our first ever exclusive cask from Islay, a 12 year heavily peated Bunnahabhain from our friends at Signatory Vintage!

Stillhead

The Hebridean Cascadian (Victoria Whisky Festival Islay Cask Rye)

Meikle Tòir

Victoria Whisky Festival Single Cask Ex-PX

Bunnahabhain

Signatory 2013 Heavily Peated Victoria Whisky Festival Exclusive

The Great American Whiskey Collection Shatters Records 

at Sotheby’s New York

Landmark Sale Achieves $2.5 Million — Now the Most Valuable American Whiskey Collection Ever Sold

Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” Fetches $162,500

— Most Valuable Bottle of American Whiskey Ever Sold at Auction — 

Van Winkle 18 Year Old Special Reserve Single Barrel “Binny’s” 

Realizes $106,250

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, on the rostrum during the sale of The Great American Whiskey Collection

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, said: “This was a landmark moment for American whiskey. Breaking the record for the most valuable American whiskey collection ever sold is a testament to the extraordinary rarity and quality of this collection, as well as the passion and expertise of collectors worldwide. The enthusiasm from bidders was phenomenal, reflecting a global appreciation for American whiskey that continues to grow year after year. This exceptional auction has propelled Bourbon and Rye into a new stratosphere of desirability.”

New York, 25 January — History was made last night at Sotheby’s New York, where The Great American Whiskey Collection achieved $2.5 million, becoming the most valuable single-owner American whiskey collection ever sold at auction and the most valuable single-owner spirits auction ever held in New York. More than doubling its low pre-sale estimate (est. $1.17–1.68 million), the sale drew intense competition from determined collectors online, on the phones, and in the room for some of the rarest and most coveted Bourbon and Rye ever bottled, many of which set new auction records.

The white-glove auction, held at Sotheby’s new global headquarters in the iconic Breuer Building on Madison Avenue, marked the first-ever live, single-owner American whiskey sale in history. As part of the campaign for the auction, Sotheby’s installed a specially designed pop-up bar within The Breuer to prominently display the collection, allowing collectors and visitors to experience the bottles up close in an immersive setting. The meticulously curated collection featured 360 exceptional bottles, ranging from Old Rip Van Winkle and Old Fitzgerald to Red Hook Rye and beyond. The sale was a remarkable success, with 100% of lots sold and 89% exceeding their high estimates. With demand for American whiskeys invariably domestic and spread across the United States, 96% of the lots were acquired by collectors based in North America. Notably, nearly a third of buyers were new to Sotheby’s, with over half aged 40 or younger.

The top lot was a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” (1982), which shattered records by selling for $162,500 (est. $70,000–100,000), making it the most valuable bottle of  American whiskey ever sold at auction*. Hailed as one of the most legendary bottles of Kentucky bourbon ever produced, the “Sam’s” is also the highest-proof Van Winkle release in history, bottled at an extraordinary 133.4 proof. With only 60 hand-numbered bottles ever made, it ranks among the rarest American whiskeys in existence. Last night’s sale marked the first time the “Sam’s” appeared at auction in over a decade.

Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s Whiskey Specialist, commented: “This sale represents a defining moment for American whiskey at auction, underscoring the legendary status of the Van Winkle name and the extraordinary significance of the ‘Sam’s’ Old Rip Van Winkle. The result reflects the continued maturation of the global market for the rarest American whiskeys and a growing appreciation for the craftsmanship, heritage, and rarity that define the very best of American distilling. A bottle of this calibre is not just a collector’s item but a piece of American whiskey history.”

The sale was further propelled by an exceptional offering of private-label bottles, exclusive single barrels, and historic releases now virtually impossible to source, many of which appeared at auction for the first time and went on to set new records. Highlights included:

• Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Binny’s” (1985, 121.6 proof) achieved $106,250 (est. $60,000–80,000). Distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery in 1985, the Van Winkle Special Reserve 18 Year Old Single Cask was hand-selected exclusively for Binny’s, one of Chicago’s most renowned liquor stores. Bottled at full cask strength—an extraordinary 121.6 proof, the third-highest ever for a Van Winkle—fewer than 100 bottles were produced, with most long since consumed. This auction marked the first appearance of the “Binny’s” Van Winkle at Sotheby’s.
• Very Very Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawk” 18 Year Old (1950, 121.0 proof) sold for $112,500, more than double its low estimate (est. $50,000–80,000). One of the rarest and most sought-after bourbons ever released, it was a private bottling exclusively for the Wirtz family, owners of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Wirtz Corporation. No “Blackhawk” bottles were ever available publicly, and they were likely gifted only to close family, friends, and associates. The “Blackhawk” series includes just three extremely rare bottlings: this 18 Year Old and a 15 Year Old (both distilled in 1950), and a 12 Year Old, distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1963—also part of The Great American Whiskey Collection, it sold for $60,000 (est. $40,000 – 50,000).
• Van Winkle 18 Year Old Family Reserve “Park Avenue Liquor Shop” (105.2 Proof) sold for $62,500 (est. $26,000 – 45,000). This private-label bottling for Jonathan Goldstein at Park Avenue Liquor Shop in Manhattan has not appeared at auction in more than a decade. Originally retailing for $75, it is one of only three 18 Year Old Van Winkle bottlings ever known to have been produced, all of which were sold in this auction.
• Four determined bidders competed for the O.F.C. Bourbon Whiskey 115 Proof 1909 (1 Quart), driving the final price to $47,500—well above its pre-sale estimate of $13,000–18,000.

Among the record-setting lots from last night’s sale were:

•  Old Rip Van Winkle 18 Year Old Blue Smoke 92.6 Proof NV sold for $37,500, (est. $18,000 – 24,000)
• Twisted Spoke 16 Year Old 105 Proof NV achieved $32,500 (est. $12,000 – 16,000)
• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old ‘Delilah’s 10th Anniversary’ 100 Proof NV sold for $30,000 (est. $15,000 – 20,000)
• Van Winkle 19 Year Old Special Reserve Corti Brothers 45.7 abv 1975 realized $35,000 (est. $15,000 – 20,000)
• Van Winkle 19 Year Old Special Reserve Corti Brothers 90.4 Proof NV fetched $35,000 (est. $15,000 – 20,000)
• J.W. Gottlieb Private Stock Straight Rye 13 Year Old 95.6 Proof 1984 sold for $56,250 (est. $15,000 – 20,000)
• Old Rip Van Winkle Old Advocate Special Reserve 15 Year Old 107 Proof NV doubled its pre-sale high estimate to achieve $40,000 (est, $15,000 – 20,000)
• Old Rip Van Winkle 15 Year Old Woodside Partner’s Reserve 92.4 Proof 1988 sold for $43,750 (est. 15,000 – 20,000)
• Old Rip Van Winkle Bottled In Bond 100 Proof 1917 realized $47,500 (est. $15,000 – 20,000)
• Pappy Van Winkle’s 20 Year Old Family Reserve Single Barrel ‘City Grocery 20th Anniversary’ 90.4 Proof NV made $30,000 (est. $12,000 – 16,000).

Please refer to the sale page for individual lot results.

Notes 

*The previous record for the most valuable single-owner auction of an American whiskey collection was held by The Thoroughbred Collection, which achieved $965,813 in 2021.

*The previous record for the most valuable single bottle of post-prohibition American whiskey was $125,000 for a one-of-a-kind bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Van Winkle Selection’ Kentucky Bourbon Festival Master Distiller’s Auction 2007, a price that includes buyer’s premium and tax.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

 *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Our first Creators Collection of the year is here. Fortified: Adventures in Australian wine casks is the ultimate flight in sweet wine casks from Down Under. Here’s more about the collection from our head of whisky creation, Euan Campbell…

“Fortified wine casks are ideally suited to the maturation of Scotch whisky, and at the Society we are great advocates of the sherry cask. In our Fortified collection, we go further afield to explore casks from halfway around the world with a selection of whiskies matured in Australian fortified wine casks. Join us to expand your cask horizons and experience something truly special.”

WATCH THE VIDEO

Tawny – one to try if you enjoy port cask-matured whiskies
Muscat – If you have tried whisky matured in moscatel casks before, this one’s for you
Fortified chardonnay casks – incredibly rare, quite frankly indescribably beautiful and rich, golden raisin whisky here

The full collection is now available online and in our Members’ Rooms.

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

Our February 2026 Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids until 7pm (GMT) Sunday 22nd February 2026.

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!

Glenfarclas – 40 Year Old (Millennium)

Mortlach – 30 Year Old (Midnight Malt) 2023 Special Release

Tobermory – 42 Year Old (1973)

Whistlepig – 21 Year Old (The Beholden) 75cl

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.

The Rise of English Whisky

When you think of traditional whisky-making countries, two immediately come to mind: Scotland and Ireland. But what of the rest of the British Isles? The new millennium has brought with it a new wave of whisky making around the world, and England has not escaped, with more than 60 whisky distilleries now laying down spirit.

Learn More                          Shop Now

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 594: Ben Nevis 26 Year Old 1998 Liquid Art

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, has a headache… not really. Headache is the name of the beautiful artwork by none other than Fred Bervoets, which Liquid Art, in collaboration with Galerie De Zwarte Panter from Antwerp, used as a label. And we all know that 1995 to 1999 are very fine vintages for Ben Nevis, so this will undoubtedly be a treat.

https://youtu.be/M6MYJDLNSjY

Make Tomatin the Heart of Your Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Award winning Highland Distiller, Tomatin, is celebrating this Valentine’s Day by introducing two new sweet and indulgent whisky cocktails, perfect for an at-home date night or a cosy evening with friends.

For whisky lovers or those just discovering the magic of single malts, Tomatin 10 Year Old and Tomatin Double Cask whiskies provide the perfect foundation for Valentine’s Day cocktails this February.

The recently launched expressions are showcased in a duo of new serve creations from Tomatin, both of which are easy to make yet delicious, and let the soft, sweet and fruity flavours of the distillery’s single malts shine through.

Celebrate what matters this Valentine’s Day with Tomatin, sharing a moment with loved ones and bringing a touch of Highland charm to the occasion.

Tomatin Peaches and Dream 

A modern twist on the classic peaches and cream, this cocktail is light, creamy and delightfully moreish. Featuring Tomatin 10 Year Old, it brings out soft, sweet notes of peaches, buttery croissants, crunchy apples, macadamia nuts and white chocolate, all beautifully balanced by the whisky’s subtle ex-bourbon cask influence. Oat milk keeps the serve smooth and slightly lighter than traditional cream. 

Ingredients

• 35-50ml of Tomatin 10 Year Old, exclusively available at Waitrose or on Amazon
• 35ml of unsweetened oat milk
• 15ml syrup from tinned peaches
• A splash of soda wate

To serve

• Highball or tall glass
• Bar spoon or long spoon
• Cubed ice
• Straw (optional)
• Cocktail skewers (optional)

Method

Mix the Tomatin 10 Year Old, tinned peach syrup and oat milk in a glass until combined. Fill a tall glass with cubed ice and stir, finish by topping up the glass with soda water and garnish with skewered peaches.

Tomatin Apple of My Eye 

Bold, warming, and indulgent, this cocktail puts Tomatin Double Cask centre stage. Matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, the whisky’s rich dark fruit, gentle spice, and apple notes make it a perfect Valentine’s serve. Muddled fresh apple and a touch of honey (or dairy-free caramel) create a sip that’s sweet and balanced. 

Ingredients

• 50ml of Tomatin Double Cask, exclusively available in Tesco and on Amazon
• 15ml of honey or dairy free caramel
• A splash of soda water
• Sliced apples of choice; Tomatin recommends Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples

To serve

• Highball or tall glass
• Bar spoon or long spoon
• Cubed ice
• Straw (optional)
• Cocktail skewers (optional)

Method

Place apple slices into a glass (muddle for extra apple flavour), add Tomatin Double Cask and the honey or caramel. Stir well, fill the glass with ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with skewered apple slices.

Tasting notes

Tomatin 10 Year Old

Nose: Aromas of lemon sherbet sweets and crunchy green apples followed by buttery

croissants, white chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Palate: Lemon meringue pie, honey and a touch of toffee are complemented by apricot and

peach.

Finish: Clean and fresh.  

Tomatin Double Cask

Nose: Aromas of vanilla-sweetened baked apples and pears lead.

Palate: Dark fruit flavours, gently balanced with ginger and cinnamon.

Finish: Sweet and spicy. 

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its portfolio of refined and elegant whiskies.  The distillery has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when illicit production was likely to be taking place, but it wasn’t until 1897 that the first formal distillery was established by John MacDougall as the Tomatin Spey Distillery Company.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, took home three. Tomatin’s 36 Year Old was crowned the ultimate winner at SFWSC for malts, being named ‘Best in Show’, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

Building upon this triumph, 2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status. Meanwhile, both Tomatin’s 45 Year Old and 12 Year Old, alongside Cù Bòcan’s 15 Year Old took home Double Gold Awards, and Cù Bòcan’s 12 Year Old also secured a prestigious Gold Award.

In 2025, Tomatin has been awarded Gold designation for its Tomatin Sherry Collection Ximénez Edition and Silver for both its Sherry Collection Manzanilla Edition and Sherry Collection Palo Cortado Edition in the inaugural 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards.

Tomatin has a first-class wood policy and an enduring commitment to knowing the history of each cask that passes through its warehouses. It is one of only a handful of Scotch whisky distilleries to have its own cooperage on-site, with cooper Allan Bartlett being named ‘Cooper of the Year’ at the 2025 Icons of Whisky Awards.

‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; it is a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a belief in savouring what is truly important in life and time spent together. Tomatin is owned by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/