Results: Fine Wine & Whisky, 8th - 21st April

Leading the April Fine Wine and Whisky Sale were two bottles of Macallan, once again proving the dominance of the distillery on the secondary market. The two bottles were The Macallan 18 Years Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, with one distilled in 1967 selling for £2,600 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium), and the other distilled in 1990 selling for £2,800. Also performing well in the Whisky section was a Midleton 1984 Very Rare Irish Whiskey, which sold for £1,650, complete with original cardboard sleeve and certificate.

Selling above estimate, too, at £1,650 was a bottle of Grand Cognac 1811 Fine Napoléon. 1811 was a legendary year for winemaking in Western Europe, with perfect growing conditions and the appearance of ‘The Great Comet’ (comets were said to herald excellent vintages). There was also a visit to the town of Cognac by Napoleon when he was given a barrel of the legendary vintage; following this many cognacs made in 1811 were later labelled as ‘Napoleon Cognac’. Little is known about the history of this particular bottle, including the producer, other than it has descended in the vendor’s family.

Notably strong demand was also seen for Château d’Yquem dessert wine, with two bottles of Lur-Saluces 1968 selling for £800, four bottles Lur-Saluces 1965 selling for £1,150, and twelve half bottles of 1999 Lur-Saluces Sauternes selling for £720. White Burgundy was popular, too, with five lots all exceeding estimate, including four bottles of Dauvissat 2013 “Les Clos” Chablis Grand Cru, which sold for £410. Finally, a 3-litre bottle of Château Lynch-Bages Grand Cru Classé 2000 Pauillac, hand signed by Jean-Charles Cazes, the vineyard’s owner, sold for £1,050.

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