A huge collection of whisky miniatures, worth £30,000, is up for auction at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough. Split into two, timed, online auctions, the collection of 4,000 whisky miniatures is almost exclusively Scotch whisky, though there are some bottles from as far as Iraq, Uruguay and Australia. The sale also includes rare whisky-related items, such as first edition publications of whisky techniques and distilleries.
The vast collection began in the late eighties, and took over three decades to amass. The keen collector, Brian Marshall, says that he, ironically, doesn't even like the taste of the beverage. The first sale, opening 1 November and closing 14 November, includes standout lots like the presentation packs issued by Signatory Vintage. In this first part, major bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail and Cadenhead's feature strongly, alongside an extensive collection of The Whisky Connoisseur series, and other smaller specialist bottlers.
Part 2 will open 26 November and close 12 December. The catalogue for Part 2 includes a huge range by James MacArthur and smaller, specialist bottlings by the likes of The Cumbrae Supply Co. It will also feature special Mini Bottle Club bottlings and one of the most sought after bottles – the Macallan 1961 bottled for the 35th Anniversary of the Private Eye magazine. Extensive collections of Signatory Vintage complete the second part of the sale.
One of the standout lots from the first November sale is a presentation gift set by Signatory Vintage. The Macallan 1966 is a 30 year old, single Speyside malt whisky. Bottle no. 10 of 190, this would make a fantastic addition to any whisky collection.
Other presentation gifts sets by Signatory Vintage of note include the Laphroaig 1966 and the Ardbeg 1967. At 31 years old and 28 years old, respectively, these two lots are sure to attract significant attention at the sale.
Those with a soft spot for Tomatin Whisky will be delighted to see a collection of ten Tomatin Cask strength whisky barrel miniatures. Still beautifully preserved in the miniature barrel packaging, these whiskies are a delight.
For those looking to expand their knowledge about whisky, or wanting to add a beautiful book to their shelves, Gildings Auctioneers has just the thing: The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom, by Alfred Barnard is a first edition. An important publication on whisky techniques and the distilleries of the late Victorian period, this book is one of the highlights of the sale.
Collectors will be delighted to see the ten cask strength whisky miniatures bottled by the Whiskey Connoisseur. This set, including a 19-year-old Macallan 1976, is everything a whisky lover would want.
December will see the second half of the collection come to market. The Macallan 1961, a limited-edition bottle for Private Eye Magazine’s 35th Anniversary is not one to miss. With colourful packaging, this bottle is sure to delight all the senses.
