A rare and highly sought-after Scottish whisky from the renowned Mortlach distillery has surfaced in the form of a 43-year-old expression distilled in the same year as the Spanish Civil War – and it could be yours in the May 3 Wine, Whisky & Spirits sale.
Lot 165 The Mortlach 1936 43 Year Old is part of the esteemed Connoisseurs Choice range from independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, which has a rich history of bottling some of the finest and most rare whiskies from across Scotland.
The Connoisseurs Choice range was first introduced by George Urquhart, second generation of the family owned business, in 1968 and initially devised for an Italian client and then later incorporated into Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio.
The original bottlings under the black and red label featured whiskies from prestigious distilleries such as Mortlach, Royal Lochnagar, Talisker, and Strathisla.
In 1980, the range was updated with a new two-tone label, with some of the most iconic bottlings under the range being released, including expressions from Port Ellen, Rosebank, Ardbeg and now closed distilleries like St. Magdalene, Millburn, Kinclaith and Caperdonich.
The Connoisseurs Choice labels continued to evolve, with the ‘Map Labels’ introduced in 1988 featuring a thumbnail map of the region where the distillery is located in the centre of the label with an orange border. In 1996, a colour-coded system was introduced for each region, including; Blue for Lowlands, Peach for Highland, Green for Speyside, Pink for Islay and Orange for Islands. Another iteration of the label was released in 2008, featuring a colour-coded band and a map moved to the top right.
The Mortlach 1936 43 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice is a rare gem from this iconic range, showcasing the artistry and expertise of the Mortlach distillery and the discerning taste of Gordon & MacPhail’s independent bottling. Whether as a collector’s item or a rare whisky to enjoy, this expression is a testament to the history and tradition of Scottish whisky-making and the enduring legacy of the Connoisseurs Choice range.
Stuart Palmer, Head of Wine, Whisky & Spirits at Hansons Auctioneers, said “This truly remarkable bottle was gifted to the vendor many years ago for Christmas.
“Back then, Single Malt Whisky wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now so bottles like this would’ve been relatively inexpensive and accessible. Since being acquired, it has sat in the back of a cupboard and even been quietly moved to new homes whilst being completely overlooked.
“We now expect it to reach well in excess of £1,000, which came as total shock to our seller. I wonder what might be ‘sleeping’ in the back of your cupboards?”
The Mortlach 1936 43 Year Old, lot 165 May 3 Wine, Whisky & Spirits Auction | £1,100 to £1,600 but could reach £2,000.
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Lot 202 | WhistlePig 13 Year Old Single Barrel Rye #46 – The Boss Hog 2nd Edition: The Ultimate American Rye Whiskey
Located in the rolling hills of Vermont, WhistlePig Distillery is a relatively new player in the world of American whiskey, but it has already made a significant impact on the industry. Founded in 2008 by Raj Bhakta, WhistlePig has quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the finest rye whiskey in the United States.
This limited edition annual release, is a single barrel rye whisky that was hand-selected by WhistlePig’s master distiller, Dave Pickerell. It was aged for 13 years in American oak barrels, giving it a deep and complex flavour profile. Despite being bottled at an incredible 122.2 proof (61.1% Alc/Vol) , it is known for being surprisingly smooth
The Boss Hog 2nd Edition release was also known as ‘The Spirit of Mortimer.’ release. Mortimer is the name of the Whistlepig mascot, a breed of pig called a Kune Kune. It features in the Pewter stopper and was made by a company called Danforth also in Vermont. Each bottle has hand written labels ensuring authenticity and quality.
Having become renowned for its premium rye whiskies, the 13 Year Old Single Barrel #46, The Boss Hog 2nd Edition is a prime example of their exceptional quality and a must for collectors.
Whistlepig 13 Year Old Single Rye Barrel #46 – The Boss Hog 2nd Edition. Bottled at 61.1% alc/vol. A spectacluar Whiskey from Whistlepig farm in Vermont, this 2nd Edition release was known as ‘The Spirit of Mortimer.’ Mortimer being the name of their mascot, a Kune Kune pig. It features in the Pewter stopper and was made by a company called Danforth also in Vermont. Very slight peeling to corner of front and back label. Very small nick to top of front label | £1,200 to £1,600
