Our September Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from 7pm (BST) Friday 20th September until 7pm (BST) Sunday 29th September 2024.

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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!

Glendronach – 50 Year Old (1971)

Glenfarclas – 1959 (The Historic Reserve No.3) Christmas Malt

Highland Park – 40 Year Old (1958)

Bowmore – 43 Year Old (1973)

Dalmore – 20 Year Old (1991) Constellation Collection

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.

Our 74^th release, the Cask Collection documents more than two decades of single casks from A. D. Rattray.

These bottles are our story, the way we tell it best. 

Whisky curation – the art of grouping and presenting whiskies in a meaningful way – is at the very heart of what we do as an independent bottler, guiding people through their journeys of whisky exploration. As for all whiskies selected in A. D. Rattray’s Cask Collection, the six casks chosen for our 74th release stand alone in terms of both quality and intrigue. But beyond meeting these individual criteria, each cask is selected for its contribution to the release as a whole. 

Of course, there are several practical and financial reasons for grouping casks together in a release; maximising time with a print set-up and on a bottling line, as well as consolidating samples, communications and shipping. However, a carefully curated release is much more than just the sum of its parts, and may help to make Scotch whisky more accessible. Categorizing, grouping and sorting our whiskies is vital in helping potential whisky lovers enter and navigate the world of Scotch whisky, to explore different distilleries, regions, cask types, ages and flavour profiles. Alone, one cask is a singular piece in the puzzle, whilst the full gamut of Scotch whisky offers such variety and nuance that it may seem intimidating, or even impenetrable. DRCC74 serves as a cross-section of our whisky landscape, offering various points of reference to the curious consumer.  

Whilst showcasing the great variety of whiskies produced throughout Scotland, the selection of Cask Collection No.74 is also an acknowledgement of what each cask shares; not simply the timing of their bottling and release, but the people involved and the values we embody. With each curation, we strive to present the best of A. D. Rattray, yet are mindful of the long-term impact of the decisions we make today. Put simply, these snapshots of our stocks, methodologies, and current trends, are a statement of who we are. 

Now on our 74th release, the Cask Collection documents more than two decades of single casks from A. D. Rattray. These bottles are our story, the way we tell it best. 

COLLECTION 74

FOR ONE WEEK ONLY

SAVE £100 ON THESE ICONIC WHISKIES

While Stocks last, we’re offering £100 off the retail prices of these six whiskies from the world’s great distilleries, including Macallan, Talisker and Chichibu.

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Cigar Malt Batch No 3 (2023)

Tamdhu Cigar Malt Batch No 3 Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in first fill European oak sherry casks with a character robust enough to support the rich flavour of a top quality cigar, each cask meticulously hand-selected for this purpose. 2023 limited release.

£231.59

NOSE: Gingerbread dipped in honey, with unmistakable sherry oak.
PALATE: Panna cotta with sherry-dipped raisins and malt biscuits.
FINISH: A hint of apricot jam, ending with rich praline.

Tamdhu Distillery was founded in Speyside in 1896 and in production the following year. Designed by Charles Doig this distillery was originally equipped with two stills that were increased to four in 1972 and then six in 1975 in order to cope with the ever increasing demand for Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blends of scotch to which Tamdhu was a major contributor. When the nearby railway station closed in 1965 the ticket office was subsequently converted into the Tamdhu Distillery visitor. But the visitor centre closed and then the distillery itself in March 2010 and with it the last working Saladin malting boxes in Scotland. A year later and Ian Macleod Distillers purchased Tamdhu Distillery and re-opened it in 2012. Single malts include Tamdhu 10 Year Old and Batch Strength.

Nikka Days

 Gold — International Spirits Challenge 2020

A subtle blend of grain and malt whiskies, slightly peated. Creamy, fruity and smooth, this whisky will please amateurs and connoisseurs alike with its floral and fruity notes. A whisky with a smooth and fruity profile, to enjoy neat or in a cocktail.

Expect notes of white flowers, orange blossoms and pear on the nose, leading to a complex palate of malt, toffee, nuts, vanilla and a hint of peat. The finish is fruity, malty and lingering, with a distinctive apricot note.

WAS £51.00

NOW £39.00

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Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

ralfy review 1045 Extras – Major problem with a whisky delivery.

THE GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE WHISKY LOUNGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOP ST ANDREWS HOTEL 

The Glendronach has partnered with Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts flagship property, Rusacks St Andrews, to launch a whisky lounge offering exclusive experiences. Opening its doors last month, it will provide domestic and international visitors with the opportunity to taste premium whisky from the company’s vast archive, including rare casks from Brown-Forman’s single malts portfolio no longer available for purchase.

The members’ club-inspired space, named ‘Room 116’, boasts a bespoke bar showcasing a unique whisky collection which will offer all three of Brown-Forman’s single malts which include Benriach and Glenglassaugh. The Glendronach; one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, will be the highlight offering as part of the new experience.

Since it was founded almost 200 years ago, The Glendronach has been crafting sherried single malt whisky. The Highland spirit is slowly matured in the finest Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Andalucia, Spain. The result is an exquisite and expressive duality of flavours, of light and dark, where robust, rich Highland spirit meets opulent Spanish flair. A true revelation in flavour.

Emily Richardson, Brown-Forman UK Marketing Director, said: 

“The Glendronach is one of Scotland’s oldest licenced distilleries and one of the world’s most exceptional, richly-sherried Single Malts, so this is a hugely fitting collaboration, combining our legacy with Rusacks St Andrews which is steeped in golfing history and prominence. The new offering will provide an opportunity for guests to discover The Glendronach in an outstanding setting, combining celebrated whisky, a world renowned golf course and the best of Scotland’s hospitality.” 

With bespoke packages and personalised tastings, Room 116 provides a highly curated experience for all the senses. The lounge will be available to private parties with an array of experiences on offer including whisky tastings paired with mezze boards.Officially trademarked ‘The Best View in Golf’, Room 116 overlooks the 18th green of the legendary Old Course and the Fife Coast, offering a stunning backdrop for whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Phillip Allen, President of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts:

“Rusacks St Andrews is delighted to be the UK flagship for The Glendronach, a partnership which celebrates the best of two of Scotland’s finest institutions – whisky and golf. At Marine & Lawn we bring old-world luxury and refined Scottish heritage into a new era, so The Glendronach was a natural partnership. We’re excited to showcase the distillery’s innovative craftsmanship to our valuable guests, both in Room 116 and across the wider Marine & Lawn portfolio.”

The Glendronach recently marked a significant transformation with a visual relaunch – the final brand refresh of the three single malts since being acquired by Brown-Forman in 2016. Later this year the portfolio will welcome a number of releases including the Master’s Anthology comprising three expressions and additions to the ultra-premium core range with a 21, 30 and 40-Year-Old release.

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About Brown-Forman:

For more than 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Ready-to-Drinks, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, The Glendronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Korbel, Chambord, Fords Gin, Gin Mare, and Diplomático Rum. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by approximately 5,700 employees globally and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide.

For more information about the company, please visit brown-forman.com.

About The Glendronach Distillery:

Welcome to The Glendronach, one of the world’s most exceptional, richly-sherried Single Malts.

For almost 200 years, The Glendronach distillery has stood proudly in the Scottish Highlands, nestled and protected by its namesake – the ‘Valley of Brambles’. James Allardice, our founder introduced this whisky to the world in 1826, and since then generations of artisans have remained dedicated to time-honoured methods, relying on intuition and their senses to raise expectations of what’s possible in whisky.

Our robust Highland spirit is slowly matured in the finest Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Andalucia, Spain. This brings together a unique duality of robust Highland spirit and Spanish flair which rewards the palate with richness, flamboyance and flair – a true revelation in flavour.

MACALLAN MIZUNARA 33-YEAR-OLD 1990 KOMOREBI EDITION LEADS BONHAMS FINEST WHISKY  SALE 

World’s rarest Japanese whisky also offered

Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition, East Asia Whisky Company. Estimate: £6,000-9,000.

Edinburgh – A rare and highly sought after Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition whisky leads Bonhams Finest Whisky & Spirits online sale from 23 September-3 October. The third in the final instalment in the Macallan Mizunara project by the East Asia Whisky Company, this edition, named ‘Komorebi’ meaning ‘golden beams of light filtering through tree leaves’, was matured for 33 years (two of which were in Mizunara) and is offered with an estimate of £6,000-9,000.

Also offered in the sale is an exceptionally rare Shirakawa 1958 whisky – the earliest known single vintage Japanese whisky ever bottled. The Shirakawa Distillery operated for nearly six and half decades before being demolished in 2003. Distilled and bottled in Japan by Takara Shuzo Co Ltd, bottle 242 of 1500, and in its original presentation case, the Japanese Single Malt is offered with an estimate of £6,000-8,000.

Shirakawa 1958 whisky. Estimate: £6,000 – 8,000.

Other Japanese whiskies of note offered in the sale include:

• Karuizawa 1999 #671, bottled 1999 and distilled by Karuizawa Distillery. One of 394 bottles and in original presentation case. 1 bottle. Estimate: £1,600-2,200.

• Hanyu 2000 #63 La Maison du Whisky. Bottled in 2015. Distilled, matured and bottled by Hanyu Distillery. Specially selected and imported by La Maison du Whisky. In original carton. 1 bottle. Estimate £1,200-1,600. 

Georgia Porteous, Bonhams Whisky Specialist in Edinburgh comments, “The sale features highly sought after rare Japanese whiskies alongside stand-out lots including a bottle of Aberfeldy 30-Year-Old 1991. A bottle of Highland Park Rebus 30-Year-Old is also offered, celebrating 30 years of the whisky-loving Inspector John Rebus, immortalised in Sir Ian Rankin’s series of detective novels set in Edinburgh. There are some exceptional whiskies here.”

Left: Highland Park Rebus 30 Year. Estimate: £3,000-4,000. Right: Macallan Private Eye. Estimate: £2,250-3,000.

The 78-lot sale features some beautifully well-balanced whiskies as well as commemorative editions including:

• Aberfeldy 30-Year-Old 1991, distilled 1991, hand bottled 2021 by Burn O’ Bennie Distillery. 2^nd Fill Bourbon Cask. Bottle One of One and in hand crafted Walnut presentation case by Stevie Stuart, cabinet maker.  Label illustration is Peter Howson x Burn O’Bennnie. Included in this lot is the original artwork that was used for the label design. Estimate: £6,000 – 8,000. 

• Highland Park Rebus 30-Year-Old, distilled and bottled by Highland Park Distillery and in the original wooden presentation case. 1 bottle. Estimate: £3,000-4,000. 
• Macallan Private Eye, selected by Whisky Maker F. A. Newlands at The Macallan Distillery, bottled to commemorate the 35^th Anniversary of Private Eye. Includes cask number 1580, bonded 1961. Estimate £2,250-3,000.

Sale: Finest Whisky & Spirits Sale

Location: www.bonhams.com

Date: 23 September – 3 October 2024

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.

In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Craigellachie 11 Year Old PX Quarter Cask Milroy’s Soho Selection 57.1% 70cl

Craigellachie 11 Year Old.

Finished in a Pedro Ximénez quarter cask, it’s BURSTING with red fruit, dark chocolate and sweet fudge notes. It’s the perfect bottle if you love big, bold sherried whiskies – and it’s just ££68.95!

An exceptional 11 year-old sherry monster from Craigellachie is the latest addition to our Soho Selection. This Speyside single malt has been aged in a refill hogshead before being re-racked into a first-fill PX sherry cask and was specially selected for its rich and fruity character. Bursting with red fruit, dark chocolate and sweet fudge, this is the perfect bottle if you love big, bold sherried whiskies.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Blackcurrant jam, strawberry tart and caramel fudge.

Palate: A delightfully waxy mouthfeel. Mince pies, more red fruits and milk chocolate.

Finish: Dried tobacco with soft lingering leather notes.

Did you know? We’re not just a purveyor of amazing whiskies – we bottle our very own, too! Our expert team works with our partners to source the most thrilling expressions to release under our own Milroy’s brands. This result? The utmost tastiness at remarkable value! We’re especially proud of our Soho Selection and Vintage Reserve Collections.There’s more where that came from. Check out our full range of Milroy’s own bottlings and savour the top-value flavour.