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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions Presents an Auction of Fine & Rare Armagnac, Cognac & Malt Whisky

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.

A 108 year old bottle of 1905 Hennessy Grand Champagne Cognac
A 108 year old bottle of 1905 Hennessy Grand Champagne Cognac
The sale opens with 65 lots of Armagnac and Cognac, and features some of the oldest bottles in the sale. Of particular interest is an 1812 Grande Fine Champagne Imperiale, despite some slight damage to the label, seal & wax, it is a historic example with an estimate of £600 – £800 [Lot 24]. Other bottles of historical importance include a War vintage Armagnac from 1914 that will be 100 years old next year. This Armagnac Price de Gascogne Rarissime is offered with its presentation case and as far as we can tell is the only one of its type up for sale anywhere in the world; the lot comes with a pre-sale estimate of £500 – £700 [Lot 60].

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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