Auction records broken by incredibly rare ‘lost distillery’ whisky bottled for the Queen’s visit to Islay

This £50,000 Port Ellen 12 year old Queen’s Visit 1980 is the only known official bottling released while the distillery was still active

PERTH, SCOTLAND – One of the most iconic, well-regarded and rare whiskies ever produced – the Port Ellen 12 Year old Queen’s Visit 1980 – has been purchased for a record-breaking £50,000 hammer price in an online auction held by Perth-based Whisky Auctioneer (www.whiskyauctioneer.com).

Thought to be the only official bottling of Port Ellen released while the distillery was active, it was produced to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the island on 9th August 1980.

The exact number of bottles is unknown, but it is thought that enough were bottled so that the Queen and all senior staff present on the day could have one. Unofficial estimates are that around 40 were made.

In terms of taste, it has the reputation of being a truly outstanding dram. Indeed, this is the only whisky to score a near-perfect 99/100 on Whiskyfun – the highest rating Serge Valentin has ever awarded.

The bottle attracted a lot of global interest, particularly from Europe and Asia, with over 50 bids being lodged and the eventual winner from Hong Kong.

According to Rare Whisky 101, the most recent previous auction price received for the Port Ellen Queen’s Visit was £11,200 in January 2017, with a previous high auction sale in 2016 for £12,100.

Sean McGlone, director at Whisky Auctioneer, said: “Port Ellen has been a ‘lost distillery’ since 1983 and its near mythical status has grown each year since then – an opportunity to acquire a bottle from this distillery is rare, but this Port Ellen Queen’s Visit is the only known official bottling while the distillery was active.  Only a select handful of people received this bottle in honour of the Queen visiting in 1980 so from a collectability point of view, this is essentially unsurpassed.  But to also have such a highly regarded spirit in terms of taste means this is truly an iconic whisky for collectors and connoisseurs alike.”

Another record-breaker in the August Auction was a 50 year old The Macallan – one of only 200 – which went for £56,000 hammer price, up from the last sale at auction in April 2018 for £32,525 and from the retail price of £25,000 upon its release earlier in 2018.

These lots are amongst a growing line of rare treasures to be sold by Perthshire firm Whisky Auctioneer which specialises in auctioning fine, old, rare and collectable whisky. Over the past two years, Whisky Auctioneer has broken auction records on a monthly basis, and in addition to the recent Laphroaig 1967 15 year old Samaroli sold for £61,000, a Bowmore 1966 Samaroli Bouquet sold for £51,611, standout lots include a rare collection of Corti Brothers whiskies for £52,865, and the world’s largest known collection of rare and collectable Karuizawa whisky from Japan for £770,000.

The auction ran from 24 August and closed on 3 September.

The listing for the Port Ellen 12 Year Old Queen’s Visit 1980 is here: https://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/lot/121951/port-ellen-12-year-old-queens-visit-1980

For more information on the auction or to register to participate please visit www.whiskyauctioneer.com

Additional Information

1. Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky, whether it be fine, old, rare, collectable or affordable.
2. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, Whisky Auctioneer aims to be the most comprehensive website available for the buying and selling of whisky.
3. Whisky Auctioneer holds regular monthly online auctions as well as specialist auctions for collectible whiskies and exclusive releases – for example, there is currently an exclusive auction for Teeling Distillery’s Celebratory Single Pot Still Whiskey – the first Dublin distilled spirit available for nearly half a century. This auction represents a revival for Dublin in more ways than one, with all of the Teeling Distillery’s profits from the sale of these bottles being donated to local charitable causes in its surrounding Liberties area. (https://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/teeling-celebratory-single-pot-still-exclusive-auction)
4. To buy or sell on the Whisky Auctioneer website, a free account must be first set up here: https://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/register
5. Social Media Handles:
   1. twitter: @whisky_auction
   2. facebook: @WhiskyAuctioneer
   3. web: whiskyauctioneer.com

Global First, Whisky Cask Sale at Mulberry Bank Auctions

Mulberry Bank Auctions are pleased to announce what is the world’s first Whisky Cask Auction, to be held on Wednesday 19^th September at 2pm.  This unique auction, the first dedicated solely to casks of Scotch Whisky, brings together some of Scotland’s finest produce and offers it to a global market of investors, collectors and enthusiasts.

With a line up ranging from a 2008 Tomatin, to perhaps the star of the show, a 29 year old hogshead of Macallan the casks on sale offer a range of opportunities for prospective buyers.  Acquiring a cask has traditionally only involved the purchase of New Make Spirit which then requires years and/or decades to mature, with this sale Mulberry Bank Auctions are opening the way for buyers to get hold of a mature cask and avoiding the long wait for the whisky to mature.

Estimates range from £8,000-90,000

A tasting event, limited to 40 spaces, will be held in Glasgow’s Trades Hall on Wednesday 12th September at 7pm where interested parties will be able to try out the whiskies for themselves.

As Whisky sales continue to rise globally and the spirit gains new enthusiasts from unusual markets Mulberry Bank’s Inaugural Cask sale is sure to create excitement around the globe.

Auction Date: Wednesday 19^th September
Time: 2pm
Location: Mulberry Bank Auctions, 15 Kelvin Avenue, Hillington Park, Glasgow G52 4LT

Tasting Evening: Wednesday 12^th September
Time: 7pm
Location: Trades Halls of Glasgow, 85 Glassford St. Glasgow G1 1UH

For further information contact:

Stewart Smith
StewartS@Mulberrybankauctions.com
01412558181

Longrow Sherry Wood, 57.8%
£62.95

First distilled in 1973 Longrow is a double distilled, heavily peated single malt produced at Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown. The malt is peat dried for up to 48 hours to give the whisky a unique Campbeltown style smoky character, Less than 100 casks of Longrow are filled each year.

VERY LIMITED, WHILE STOCKS LAST!
1 bottle per customer

(Customers outside the UK please contact the shop for shipping costs)

Friday, September 14th 5-7PM

Glen Grant with Robin Coupar

Join us for Grant single malt scotch, presented by global brand ambassador and whisky expert #RobinCoupar! Established in 1840, this centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world and recently received its second-in-a-row “Best Single Malt” distinction in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Guests will be treated to rare favorites and new releases from 5-7 PM.

More Details & RSVP

Good Morning Ladies & Gents.

A quick update on a few stock items that may be of interest. We have listed below a selection of new whiskies for your perusal. Please note that the stock that we carry of these products is very limited. This is only a tiny representation of our Single Malt Whisky Range, for more details on the full selection visit our New Arrivals, Old & Rare, Collectible, Luxury and our Non-Auction sections online.

Click on the red seal to take you to New Arrivals.

Kind Regards
Robbie

3 Sandgate, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA7 1BG

Back in Stock

The fantastic Glenfiddich 30 Year Old will be back on our shelves very soon and we wanted you to be first to know! Pre-order your bottle now and we’ll send it straight out when it arrives next week. We’ve also just received the latest edition of the prestigious Balvenie Fifty, the sixth release in the series, combining four casks all aged over half a century – now available to order.

Only available while stocks last
International shipping

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old

Every cask used in this incomparable single malt Scotch whisky is personally nosed and tasted by Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, ensuring the whisky achieves its rich character and seductive complexity. Only casks that pass his exacting standards are handpicked and married together to achieve the final sublime harmony.

This process ensures the unique character and richness of taste that sets Glenfiddich 30 Year Old apart. The rarity of this single malt is unquestionable – there are only ever a handful of vattings of 30 Year Old a year.

£500 Pre-Order Now
Orders will be dispatched w/c 10th September

The Balvenie
50 Year Old: Marriage 0962

This single malt from The Balvenie is a marriage of four American oak casks, each matured for at least half a century. Marriage 0962 is the sixth edition of The Balvenie Fifty, with just 110 bottles produced at a strength of 41.6% abv.

Malt Master, David Stewart has described this release as ‘deep and mature’ with rich oak, maple syrup, citrus and ‘delicate spice’. Presented in a wooden display tube, crafted from 48 layers of walnut and 2 layers of brass, the Balvenie Fifty comes complete with an etched brass certificate and bottle stopper.

£29,950 Buy Now

Friday September 7th, 5-7PM

Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh

One of our most popular scotch tastings returns! Benriach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh will be tasted at this event. Presented by distillery representatives and our own in-store whisky experts, scotch connoisseurs and newcomers to the the world of traditional scotch are sure to enjoy this tasting.

Pour list will be revealed as the event approaches.

Follow The Whisky Shop on Facebook to stay up to date!

 More Details & RSVP

ralfy.com goes organic with . ralfy review 742 – Benromach Organic 2010 @ 43%vol

WATCH LIVE AUCTION

Get watching, and good luck!

The Whisky.Auction Team

KEEP IN TOUCH

44 (0)20 8838 9381

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