The Grand Whisky Auction is now LIVE!

There are 2600+ lots to browse and bid on this month with one of the highlights being the new Macallan Mexico!

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

T.+44 (0)1463 210 427 – sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

Our 2023 Whisky Magazine Christmas special.

Perfect for anyone on your Christmas list!

This Christmas, give the gift that any whisky enthusiast would love – Whisky Magazine! Whether you want to treat yourself or surprise someone special, we have an exclusive offer just for you.

For a limited time only, enjoy 3 ISSUES of Whisky Magazine for just $5! That’s right, three jam-packed issues filled with the latest news, expert reviews, and captivating stories from the world of whisky. But that’s not all -as an added bonus, you’ll also receive a Whisky Tasting Journal and Tasting Poster absolutely FREE.

But wait, there’s more! As we approach a significant milestone, we want you to be a part of the celebrations. We have exciting plans for 2024, including big competitions and amazing giveaways. By subscribing to Whisky Magazine today, you’ll be joining us in the festivities and not miss out on any of the incredible experiences we have in store.

Don’t miss out on this incredible offer – it’s the perfect opportunity to share the joy of whisky this Christmas.

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JOHNNIE WALKER
BLUE LABEL
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
70cl | 40% ABV

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year is the perfect way to mark the beginning of a prosperous year ahead, making it a precious and memorable gift this Lunar New Year. Designed by the contemporary artist James Jean this year’s release is a dynamic interpretation of 2024’s zodiac animal the noble Wood Dragon. Regarded as the mightiest of all the Zodiac animals, the dragon is a symbol of life, creativity and future prosperity in traditional Asian culture, echoing the defiant optimism of the Johnnie Walker motto, Keep Walking.

£224.95

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James Jean is a world-renowned, celebrated contemporary artist and bold cultural pioneer. His hyper-stylized aesthetic floats between dream like fantasies with emotional undertones, he imbues his worlds with multiple references — from traditional Chinese scroll paintings to more modern movements, such as anime and comics. Just as maturing whiskies blossom into life after careful aging in wooden casks, in 2024 the Year of the Wood Dragon helps good fortunes flourish.

Re-imagined by James Jean, the evergreen Wood Dragon springs from bountiful flora and fauna, and bursts to life with auspicious ambition. His artwork of the mythical dragon, interwoven and layered with botanical elements, echoes the visceral flavour experience of this exceptional Scotch.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Take in the wonderfully mellow, rounded nose – replete with dry smokiness artfully mixed with the sweetness of raisins.

Palate: Layers of dried fruits, citrus smoke, which then evolves into notes of honey, sweet spice, and vanilla.

Finish: You’re rewarded with velvety chocolate and a rounded smoky finish.

ralfy review 1003 – Blue Spot Pot-Still Whiskey @ 58.9%vol:

EXCEPTIONAL SINGLE CASK WHISKIES STAR IN BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

Left to right: Glen Scotia 2000-23-year-old-Cask-22/61-3. Estimate: £63,000-85,000 (HK$ 600,000-800,000).  Loch Lomond 2012-11-year-old-Cask #21/946-9. Estimate: £21,000-32,000 (HK$200,000-300,000)

Hong Kong – Two exceptional casks of distinctive single-malt whisky from renowned Scottish distilleries, Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond, will star in Bonhams Fine & RARE Whisky Sale at Hong Kong Admiralty on 17 November 2023.

Diego Lanza, Head of Whisky, Asia and Head of Sale for Whisky auctions in the UK and Europe comments, “Owning a cask from a distinguished distillery is every whisky connoisseur’s dream. While private and individual cask ownership is still relatively new, it is fast gaining momentum in the whisky world and beyond. It is a fantastic opportunity to own casks offered directly from the producers, providing impeccable provenance and outstanding storage and exclusive bottling customisation. This is a rare opportunity to acquire some exceptional Campbeltown and Highland Single Malts, owning your personal distillery bottlings.”

The 23-year-old single cask of Glen Scotia, distilled in 2000 and aging in a 1^st Fill Oloroso Sherry Cask, at the Glen Scotia distillery, Campbeltown, Scotland, famed for its whisky-making, is offered with an estimate of £63,000-85,000 (HK$600,000-800,000). The purchase includes bottling and packaging costs, allowing you to brand and personalise your own whisky, together with distillery warehousing storage up to twenty years and an exclusive distillery experience, tour and tasting among many other benefits.

The 11-year-old cask of Loch Lomond single malt whisky distilled in 2012 and aging in a 1^st Fill Sauternes Cask, at the Loch Lomond Distillery on the Lomond Estate with an estimate of £21,000-32,000 (HK$200,000-300,000) is also offered with bottling and personalised packaging, together with storage up to fifteen years.  Since 1814, the Loch Lomond Distillery has been crafting the finest Single Malt Whiskies where craft and style are intrinsically linked. Collecting by casks offers a high degree of customisation in the bottling of the whisky, which is very rare, as well as the unique experience of collaborating directly with two very prestigious distilleries.

Left to right: Examples of customised bottling and packaging from the Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond distilleries.

Other whisky highlights in the sale include:

• The Macallan-52-year-old. 2018 Release. An exceptionally rare and limited release. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers, it is 116 of 250 bottles only. Estimate £42,000-53,000 (HK$400,000-500,000).

• The Macallan-78-year-old-The Red Collection. A peerless single malt whisky matured over 78 years. Bottled in 2020. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Estimate £68,000-90,000 (HK$650,000 – 850,000).

• Karuizawa-1969-50-year-old Cask, # 538. One of 347 bottles. This small Japanese distillery, which no longer exists, was known for producing whisky of the finest quality, noted for its floral scent and maturity. Estimate £32,000-42,000 (HK£300,000-400,000).

Highly prized whiskies will also be offered in the Bonhams Fine Whisky sales in both Paris and Edinburgh.

Highlights from the Whisky sale in Edinburgh running from 27 November-5 December (online) include some exceptional Macallan whiskies to include:

• The Macallan Lalique 50-year-old, distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers in Easter Elchies, Craigellachie and presented in its original case. Released in 2005, it is one of only 470 individually numbered decanters worldwide and the first decanter in the Lalique Six Pillars Collection. Estimate £75,000-90,000.

• The Macallan Anniversary Malt-25-year-old-1974. Bottled in 1999 and distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. Estimate: £2,500-3,500. 

• Sherriff’s Bowmore.  Distilled and bottled by Sherriff’s Bowmore Distillery Ltd, Islay. Estimate: £800-1,000

Highlights from the Whisky sale in Paris running from 8-18 December (online) includes some of the most collectable and highly respected malts in the world from the Bowmore Distillery, famed for its iconic spirits produced during the 1960s.

• Black Bowmore-42-year-old-1964. Estimate of €14,000-18,000

• White Bowmore-43-year-old-1964. Estimate of €13,000-16,000

• Gold Bowmore-44-year-old-1964. Estimate of €12,000-15,000

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors’ cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky. In 2021 and 2022, Bonhams made a number of important acquisitions which form the wider Bonhams network. These include: Bukowskis, Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams Skinner and Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr.

There are 14 salerooms around the globe: UK: New Bond Street, London; Knightsbridge, London; Edinburgh. US: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Marlborough. Hong Kong: Admiralty. France: Avenue Hoche, Paris; Rue de la Paix, Paris. Belgium: Brussels; Denmark: Copenhagen. Sweden: Stockholm and Australia: Sydney.

With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60+ specialist areas.

In 2022, Bonhams held a number of important auctions and offered landmark single-owner collections, including the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Sir Terence Conran: The Contents of Barton Court, 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 Style and Substance: The Collection of George and Charlotte Shultz and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2022 included a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (Sold for US$4,185,000), a pair of blue and white octagonal candlesticks (Sold for HK$30,453,00/ US$3,911,913), La femme en rouge au fond bleu by Chaïm Soutine (Sold for £1,842,300/ US$2,236,940), and a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet (Sold for US$3,240,375).

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

The Bonhams Network

Bukowskis

Established in 1870, Bukowskis is the leading auction house in the Nordic region, offering fine art and collectables from their salerooms in Stockholm and Helsinki, as well as online. During the spring 2023 fine art season, Bukowskis sold 7 of the 10 most valuable artworks in Sweden and 32 lots above one million SEK –– while their innovative digital presence attracts over one million web users every month and 200,000 app users overall. Bukowskis offer more than 70,000 lots each year across Art, Works of Art, Design, Jewelry, Watches, Asian Works of Art, Carpets, Glass & Ceramics, and Silver.

Bruun Rasmussen

From its Copenhagen saleroom and online, Bruun Rasmussen sells more than 75,000 lots each year across categories from furniture, paintings and modern design to silver, wine and collector’s items such as books, arms and armour, stamps and coins.

Bonhams Skinner

Renowned New England auction house Bonhams Skinner holds some 80 auctions a year in 20 collecting categories – including Americana, fine art, collectables and wine, and ranging from fine violins to contemporary paintings – at its salerooms in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as on its highly effective digital platform for online sales.

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr

Established in 1973, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is famous throughout the auction world for its high-profile single-owner sales. With salerooms in Paris and Brussels, it holds auctions in more than a dozen categories, including fine art, haute couture, Asian art, collectable cars, jewellery, watches and more.

NOVEMBER AUCTION HALF WAY POINT!

As we approach the halfway point in this month’s auction, let’s take a look at some of the cracking Clynelish bottles we have this month, including this outstanding bottles of early 1980’s Ainslie & Heilbron.

We love the Rare Malts range and this Clynelish 23 Years Old, distilled in 1972, would make a fantastic addition to any collection.

We also have this wonderful Clynelish expression bottled by the Hart Brothers. Distilled in 1995, then Drawn from a single Cask #12782 in 2007 and bottled at Cask Strength.

This 14 Years Old Clynelish Flora and Fauna features the white cap, as well as having the wooden display box, surely adding even more to its appeal.

Finally, we have this strong offering from Clynelish which was exclusive for distillery visitors, bottled at a hefty Cask Strength of 57.3%.

These are only a few of the bottles in our NOVEMBER 2023 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 19th November from 8pm BST.

The second bottling of the fantastic blended scotch ‘Tarot’ series is a spellbinding 12 year old sherry matured conjuror – it has now been pulled oot the hat. ‘The Magician’ is 75% grain – 25% malt at 45.5% abv. From the magician himself at North Star Spirits – Iain Croucher.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 533 ‘Arran & Lagg Distilleries’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show, which features some new releases from both the Arran and Lagg distilleries. Episode 533 – It Happens, You Know…!

Featuring

Arran Signature Series 1 ‘Remnant Renegade’ 46%

Arran 17 year old 46%

Arran Machrie Moor 10 year old 46%

Lagg Distillery ‘Kilmory’ 46%

Lagg Distillery ‘Corriecravie’ 55%

Lagg Distillery Exclusive ‘Hand Fill’ 2019 (3 year old) 61.7%