Rather impressively, this auction sees every category of fine spirits step up to the plate. Chartreuse delivers an incredibly rare Marseille edition. Rum offers up a diverse array of Velier bottlings, a festival of Caroni and a suite of Favorite. And whisky brings gems like the Bitter Truth from the US, and a host of promising players from Scotland and Japan. Finally, a number of venerable cognacs also go under the hammer.
First things first, however, what news from the countries where whisky is spelled with an “e”? The United States has played a real ace with The Bitter Truth 24 Year Old, a rye from the Bernheim distillery selected from Willett by the German bottler The Bitter Truth. Blanton’s also throws its hat in the ring with a handful of single casks from Warehouse H.
And Ireland pays tribute to Midleton with a stunning 26 year old released to mark the distillery’s 175th anniversary, as well as a number of Very Rare editions.
Japan is on top form this auction with Suntory coming up trumps, notably with the return to Fine Spirits Auction of Yamazaki 1993 Elephant, LMDW and the 25 Year Old expression. Nikka makes an appearance with more accessible bottlings, such as Taketsuru, and single malts from Yoichi and Miyagikyo, notably with bottlings from the Discovery range dedicated to different cask types, peatings and yeasts. A large number of Chichibu editions are also under the hammer, from LMDW single casks to limited editions like Chibidaru, On the Way, IPA and the highly sought-after First 10.
Last but not least, there are a number of sleeping beauties available, including Hanyu Final Vintage and Karuizawa Vintage Label 1978 and 1979.
Closed distilleries are also out in force to defend Scotland’s good name, with a triptych of Brora, Port Ellen and Rosebank official editions. The country’s “hottest” distilleries are all there too, with bottlings from Ardbeg, Bowmore, Clynelish, Dalmore, Glendronach, Laphroaig and Lagavulin, as well as the leaders in their field Macallan and Springbank.
A more surprising but no less interesting appearance comes in the form of an honourable Captain Burn’s 1938.
Also representing Alba, Compass Box and the talented blender John Glaser bring us various rare editions with memorable names such as Circle, Phenomenology, Hedonism Quindecimus, This is not a luxury whisky, Myths & Legends, Tobias & The Angel, The Lost Blend and Delilah’s.
In the world of rum, Caroni reigns supreme with several dozen bottles from a variety of ranges, including Velier Release, Employees, the classic range and independent bottlings from L’Esprit and Silver Seal.
The diversity of Velier releases available is also impressive and includes, among others, bottles from Rhum Rhum, Papalin, Habitation, the Hearts Collection, Foursquare, House of English Harbour, Bielle and, to top it off, Demerara.
It’s not the only Italian bottler making waves, however, and Silver Seal (already mentioned for its Caroni expression) stands out for its bottlings from Foursquare, Trinidad, Uitvlugt, Enmore, Bellevue and some excellent malts.
French rums are always well-represented at Fine Spirits Auction and this edition is no exception, with La Favorite heading the pack through some 20 bottles under the hammer. J.M and Clément also do their bit with two venerable vintages (1986, 1970) and a handful of bottles with good potential from Neisson.
Staying in France, we’ve saved perhaps the best till last: Chartreuse spearheads this auction with an extremely rare and limited edition of Chartreuse Marseille 1921-2021, of which only 760 blown-glass bottles were released.
It’s not the only outstanding spirit available from France—leading cognac houses are also represented at Fine Spirits Auction, including Martell, Remy Martin, Hine and Hennessy. But the real surprise comes from a much less well-known player, Eschenauer & Cie, who bring us venerable vintages from 1825, 1830 and 1868.
So, ladies and gentlemen, please place your bids now!
