Thursday 31st October brings the second dedicated live spirits sale from Dreweatts, Donnington Priory Saleroom. Vintage Cognac, Armagnac and Malt Whisky with local, national and international heritage are on offer to excite collectors, alongside a range of more unusual spirits as well as a small collection of very high quality Cuban cigars.
The climax of this section is a 108 year old bottle of 1905 Hennessy Grand Champagne Cognac. This, the rarest bottle in the sale was presented to William H Gollings, the owner of Mill House, winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup held at Newbury Racecourse in 1963, 50 years ago. This rare bottle is truly remarkable as Hennessy simply do not usually do single vintage bottlings, preferring instead to use their barrels of spirit, some of which date back to 1800, to blend into their prestige products. Hennessy, who were contacted to confirm the bottle’s authenticity, added that they believe the bottle to be a unique gift and probably the only one in existence outside the Hennessy family reserves. This exceptional bottle holds an estimate of £2,000 – £3,000 [Lot 65].
Sandwiched between the Cognac and Whisky are a blend of other rare collectors spirits, especially some older Gin including a single bottle of Gordan’s Orange Gin. Described on the label as “delightfully refreshing and invigorating” this charming bottle is sure to tickle the taste buds of collectors, particularly with an inviting estimate of £40 – £60 [lot 79].
For collectors in the buoyant whisky market, the largest section of the auction has much to entice with bottles of whisky dating back to the 1930s. Most sought after are special bottlings or single cask bottlings where the date of distillation and length of maturation are stated on the label. Often there are only a few hundred bottles of these produced and in some cases even fewer and rarity of course drives prices high. A Macallan Glenlivet from Gordon and McPhail, distilled in 1937 is a lovely example with a pre-sale estimate of £800 – £1,200 [Lot 196]. Other include a 1979 Glentauchers [Lot 179], a 1972 Linkwood 22-year old distilled bottle, [Lot 192] and a host of others from the 1970s and before.
The auction will be held at Dreweatts Donnington Priory Saleroom in Newbury on Thursday 31st of October at 10.00am, online bidding with no additional premium will be available via https://live.bidforwine.com and www.the-saleroom.com. Viewing is available on Wednesday 30th October and at all other times by appointment.
Other Highlights
Lot 24 Grande Fine Champagne Imperiale 1812
Slightly damaged label. Seal & wax capsule damaged. Level 8cm below base of cork.
1 bt Est. £600 – £800
Lot 58 Armagnac J de Malliac 1931
40% vol 100cl Bt number 9 of 38
1 bt presentation box Est. £300 – £400
Lot 62 Cognac 1815
Fromy
Identified from cork
1 half bt Est. £800 – £1,200
Lot 77 De Kuyper Hollands Gin
69′ proof
1 bt Est. £60 – £80
Catalogue
The full catalogue for ‘Fine & Rare Armagnac, Cognac & Whisky’ is available online.
Click here to view a fully illustrated online catalogue.
Click here to view a pdf of the sale catalogue.
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