Whisky

A clue to the great appeal of this stoneware whisky bottle is the name of a small settlement on the banks of the Forth estuary.

In the early 1880s Alfred Barnard, secretary of Harper’s Weekly Gazette (the magazine that morphed into today’s Harpers Wine & Spirit), decided to visit all distilleries in Scotland, England and Ireland.

MADAM – The correct term for the ‘mirror’ under discussion in Letters, ATG No 2468 is an ‘embossed glass showcard’.

MADAM – your item on the Victor Mee auction of pub memorabilia (ATG No 2467) contains a minor, yet possibly significant error.

A “10-year-old Laphroaig, something still readily available today” had a little bit of extra appeal when it came up for sale in west London, however.

Whisky has been a booming market in recent years, says Simon Jones, associate director at Lawrences (25% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne.

This lot comprising four whiskies estimated at £30-50 ended up selling for £1050 at Sheffield Auction Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) on October 30.

Whisky big and small was a winner at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium) in Bishton Hall, Staffordshire.

Bonhams’ Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky sale in Hong Kong will take place over two days from November 20-21.

Among the selection coming up in the Wine, Port & Spirits sale at Lacy Scott & Knight on December 11 is a Glen Grant, 1948 Scotch Whisky, from the Glen Grant distillery, Strathspey. Bottled in 1960 by Berry Brothers & Rudd, it is estimated at £1500-2000.

The Fine Wine & Whisky sale at Tennants on December 12 features this Macallan-Glenlivet 1937 35-year-old Pure Highland Malt Scotch Whisky.

A Chateau De Pomès Pédérère Armagnac distilled in 1950 is estimated at £200-300 at McTear’s Rare & Fine Whisky Auction on December 16.

In its Whisky & Spirits sale on December 9, Lyon & Turnbull offers a number of 1960s Macallan whiskies including this 1962 The Macallan Gordon MacPhail 100 proof.

The oldest bottle released from The Macallan Distillery – and the oldest age statement whisky ever offered at auction – has sold for a premium-inclusive £756,400 in London.