Whisky galore: pick up a special bottle at auction for a festive treat
27 November 2020 'Tis the season to be jolly - and a bottle of fine quality whisky will certainly help to get into the right spirit.
Bruichladdich 15 Year Old Duke of Edinburgh's Award - estimate £80-90 at Tate Ward on December 7.
Auctions house across the UK hold lots of wine, whisky and spirits in December to take advantage of the demand at this time of year for Christmas gifts with a bit of thought behind them.
Given that many people have had little else to spend their money on this year amid endless lockdowns, the market is likely to be a lively one.
Here are suggestions for whisky purchases from a range of these auctions, at a variety of price points.
Note: these sales are almost certainly going to be held online only because of the circumstances and could be subject to late changes.
Make a royal appointment
Tate Ward in Shoreditch, London, was set up in 2019. Among the lots coming up in its Fine Wine and Spirits sale on December 7 is a bottle of Bruichladdich 15 Year Old Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in original presentation tube (pictured top), 54% ABV. Celebrating 50 years of Duke of Edinburgh's Award 1956-2006, it is estimated here at £80-90.
Check thesaleroom.com for this Bruichladdich 15 Year Old Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Return of the Mac
1962 The Macallan Gordon MacPhail 100 proof, 75cl bottle - estimate £2000-3000 at Lyon & Turnbull on December 9.
In its Whisky & Spirits sale on December 9, Edinburgh saleroom Lyon & Turnbull offers a number of 1960s Macallan whiskies including this 1962 The Macallan Gordon MacPhail 100 proof. The 75cl bottle is estimated at £2000-3000.
To bid for the 1962 The Macallan Gordon MacPhail 100 proof try thesaleroom.com.
Sought-after Glenury rarity
Glenury Royal 1970 Rare Malts whisky aged 28 years - estimate of £600-700at McTear’s Rare & Fine Whisky Auction on December 16.
The Glenury Royal distillery closed in 1985 and its products are sought after for this reason. This Glenury Royal 1970 Rare Malts whisky aged 28 years is offered with an estimate of £600-700 at McTear’s Rare & Fine Whisky Auction on December 16.
Graeme Maxwell, whisky specialist at the Glasgow auction house, said: “As part of the Rare Malts series, this is a bottle which should adorn any good whisky collection, while also being a fantastic liquid to drink.”
The Glenury Royal 1970 Rare Malts whisky aged 28 years will feature on thesaleroom.com.
Italian Scotch
Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 35-year-old Pure Highland Malt Scotch Whisky - estimate £3000-4000 at Tennants on December 12.
The Fine Wine & Whisky sale at Tennants on December 12 features this Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 35-year-old Pure Highland Malt Scotch Whisky. It is in a 75cl Pinerolo bottle imported to Italy (bottle number 522) and is estimated at £3000-4000.
This Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 35-year-old Pure Highland Malt Scotch Whisky will be available to view on thesaleroom.com.
A great Glen
Glen Grant, 1948 Scotch Whisky, from the Glen Grant distillery, Strathspey. Bottled in 1960 by Berry Brothers & Rudd - estimate £1500-2000 at Lacy Scott & Knight on December 11.
Among the selection coming up in the Wine, Port & Spirits sale at Lacy Scott & Knight on December 11 is a Glen Grant, 1948 Scotch Whisky from the Glen Grant distillery, Strathspey. Bottled in 1960 by Berry Brothers & Rudd, it is estimated at £1500-2000.
Bid for this Glen Grant, 1948 Scotch Whisky via thesaleroom.com.
Saints alive
One bottle of boxed St Magdalene Natural Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky, aged 25 years, 70cl (limited bottling) - estimate £220-350 at Bourne End Auction Rooms on December 2.
This bottle of boxed St Magdalene Natural Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky, aged 25 years, 70cl (limited bottling), is estimated at £220-350 in the sale titled Wines, Spirits & Champagne followed by Antiques, Fine Art & Collectables on December 2 at Bourne End Auction Rooms in Buckinghamshire.
Check thesaleroom.com for this St Magdalene Natural Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Pure and simply lovely
Lagavulin Pure Islay Malt, specially selected, aged 12 years - estimate £1000-1500 at Morphets on December 4.
A bottle of Lagavulin Pure Islay Malt, specially selected, aged 12 years, White Horse Distillers, 43, 75cl, label good, capsule intact, level low neck, boxed, is estimated at £1000-1500 in the Fine Wine, Vintage Port & Whisky auction at Morphets in Harrogate on December 4.
Bid for the Lagavulin Pure Islay Malt at thesaleroom.com.
Age of enlightenment
The 1818 Auctioneers timed online sale that ends on December 6 includes a 1929 bottle of John Dewar and Sons White Label Finest Scotch Whisky of Great Age - estimate £400-600.
The 1818 Auctioneers Vintage Wines & Spirits timed online sale that ends on December 6 includes a 1929 bottle of John Dewar and Sons White Label Finest Scotch Whisky of Great Age with spring cap, dated 4/29 bottom right hand corner. The estimate is £400-600.
Visit thesaleroom.com to view this 1929 bottle of John Dewar and Sons White Label Finest Scotch Whisky of Great Age.
Irish whiskey
A bottle of Middleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey, bottle in 1994, number 21938, in wooden box with cardboard sleeve - estimate £200-300 at Hartleys on December 12.
A bottle of Middleton ‘very rare’ Irish Whiskey, bottled in 1994, number 21938, in wooden box with cardboard sleeve, has an estimate of £200-300 at Hartleys of Ilkley, in the Fine Wines Port & Whisky auction on December 12.
See this Middleton ‘very rare’ Irish Whiskey, bottled in 1994 at thesaleroom.com.
Brora raring to go
Brora, 22 year old, 1972 Rare Malts Selection, Limited Edition, in original carton (slightly worn) - estimate £6000-7500 at Bonhams Edinburgh on December 9.
In Edinburgh on December 9, Bonhams is offering a Brora, 22 year old, 1972, Rare Malts Selection, Limited Edition, ‘in original carton (slightly worn), good labelling with some very minor rubbing’, 70cl single malt, 58.7% volume. Estimate £6000-7500.
