July Auction Highlights 2026
Every auction has its standout lots, but occasionally a sale brings together bottles that offer something more than rarity alone. This month's auction features an exceptional selection of historic whiskies that span pre-war single malts, legendary independent bottlers, private family casks and early single cask releases, each representing a fascinating chapter in Scotch whisky history.
A Remarkable Collection of Historic Bottlings
One of the highlights of this month's auction is the continued offering of bottles from an exceptional private collection that has provided some of the rarest and most historically significant whiskies we have had the privilege to auction. Over the last several years, the collection has produced an extraordinary selection of early Gordon & MacPhail bottlings, official distillery releases and historic Cadenhead's bottlings, with many examples appearing on the open market for the first time.
At the heart of the collection are a series of exceptional Gordon & MacPhail releases that showcase the company's pioneering role in the history of single malt Scotch whisky. Long before official distillery bottlings became commonplace, Gordon & MacPhail was acquiring new-make spirit from Scotland's leading distilleries, maturing it in their own warehouses before bottling it under licence. Many of these early releases have become more collectible than official bottlings themselves, preserving styles of whisky from periods that can never be recreated.
Among the stand-out lots is an extraordinary 1937 Macallan, bottled in the early 1960s. Distilled before the outbreak of the Second World War, it represents one of the earliest surviving eras of Macallan available today. Pre-war Macallan is exceptionally scarce, with very few original bottlings remaining, making examples such as this virtually impossible to find.
Joining it is an early 1960s Macallan 15 Year Old 100 Proof, distilled during the late 1940s. Still fitted with its distinctive Securo cap and retaining its original retailer's price label, marked '82/6 ea' (82 shillings and sixpence each) it offers a fascinating glimpse into how these bottles were originally sold. This is the first example of this particular bottling that we have ever brought to auction and we would be very surprised if you could find another example that has come to market before.
A second Macallan 15 Year Old, bottled during the late 1960s from spirit distilled in the mid-1950s, continues the story of the distillery before its rise to become one of the world's most recognisable single malt brands. This bottle also bears it's original retailer's price label, marked 58/5 ea (58 shillings and 5 pence). Before decimalisation in 1971, this represented £2 18s 5d, equivalent to approximately £70–£80 in today's money after inflation—a fascinating reminder of how dramatically the whisky market has evolved over the past half-century.
The collection also features a superb Glenlivet 15 Year Old 100 Proof, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in the early 1970s under the historic Smith's Glenlivet name. Distilled during the early 1960s, it reflects Gordon & MacPhail's long-standing relationship with the distillery, with much of the spirit from this period matured in carefully selected sherry casks. Bottled at the traditional 100 UK Proof (57.1% ABV), these higher-strength releases have become some of the most sought-after examples from Gordon & MacPhail's licensed bottlings.
Alongside the Glenlivet are two exceptional 1937 Strathisla bottlings, released by Gordon & MacPhail in both the early 1960s and early 1970s. Distilled before the Second World War, they belong to an exceptionally small group of surviving pre-war single malt Scotch whiskies. Whiskies distilled in the 1930s are rarely encountered, making these historically important examples from one of Speyside's oldest distilleries.
The early 1960s bottling is a particular favourite of ours and one of the standout bottles from the collection. As one of the rarest surviving Gordon & MacPhail Strathisla releases, and the first example in this format we have ever encountered, it represents a remarkable opportunity to acquire a piece of both Gordon & MacPhail and pre-war Scotch whisky history.
Completing Gordon & MacPhail's contribution is a remarkable 1957 Talisker 100 Proof, distilled just three years before the devastating 1960 fire that reshaped the distillery. Produced while Talisker was still floor malting its own barley, it captures the distillery during one of the most revered periods in its history. Gordon & MacPhail's historic 100 Proof releases have become some of the company's most celebrated bottlings, and few are as highly regarded as these early Taliskers.
The collection is not limited to independent bottlings. Also featured is an increasingly scarce early 1970s Lagavulin 12 Year Old, an official bottling produced by White Horse Distillers. Distilled during the early 1960s, it captures Lagavulin before the distillery became internationally recognised as one of Islay's great single malts. White Horse's connection with Lagavulin stretches back to Peter Mackie, who inherited the distillery in 1889 and played a central role in establishing its reputation. Today, these early White Horse bottlings are prized for preserving the character of Lagavulin from a very different era.
Bringing this remarkable group to a fitting conclusion is a superb 1960s Old Pulteney, bottled by Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Cadenhead's. Produced not long after the distillery resumed production following its lengthy closure between 1930 and 1951, it is one of the earliest obtainable examples from Old Pulteney's post-war revival. Bottled at an unusual 85 Proof, it also represents a style of independent bottling that has become increasingly difficult to find. According to the consignor, this is the final bottle remaining of Old Pulteney from the remarkable collection.
A Private Family Cask
While much of the auction focuses on historic independent bottlings, another fascinating highlight comes in the form of two bottles from Bertie Cumming's private cask of Balblair 1967.
Unlike commercial releases, these bottles were never intended for sale. The cask was laid down by Balblair owner Bertie Cumming for his family's own use, remaining in private hands for more than two decades before being bottled by hand in 1989. Sadly, Bertie passed away before the whisky was bottled, with the task ultimately being completed by his son-in-law, David.
This is a story that has unfolded over a number of years. We first encountered this remarkable cask in 2016, when another bottle was consigned directly by David, allowing us to document its provenance and family history. Following David's passing, these two bottles have now been inherited by another member of the Cumming family and consigned to auction, providing a rare opportunity to acquire further examples from the same cask with an unbroken chain of family ownership.
The bottles themselves reveal further clues to their unusual history. Although bottled in 1989, they still carry the traditional 26⅔ fl oz label and are marked 70 Proof, despite almost certainly being bottled at their natural cask strength. Existing labels were simply taken from available stock rather than specially printed, something that was not uncommon for whisky bottled solely for private family consumption.
That is what makes these bottles so compelling. They are not rare because they were released as a limited edition or marketed to collectors; they are rare because they were never intended to leave the family at all. More than half a century after the whisky was distilled, they offer an extraordinary insight into Balblair's history during the final years of Bertie Cumming's ownership.
The Early Years of Signatory Vintage
This month's auction includes two early Signatory Vintage releases from the company's formative years, each representing a very different chapter of Scotch whisky history.
The first is a superb Ardbeg 1974, distilled during what many regard as one of the distillery's greatest production periods. Bottled in 1992 from a single cask and presented in Signatory's distinctive early dumpy bottle, it captures Ardbeg several years before the distillery's revival under Glenmorangie. Whiskies from the celebrated 1974 vintage have earned an outstanding reputation over the years, making early independent bottlings such as this increasingly difficult to source.
Alongside it sits a remarkable Lochside 1966, bottled in 1989 as part of Signatory's original Vintage Collection. Distilled at the now-demolished Lochside Distillery, it represents one of the earliest opportunities collectors had to experience the distillery through an independent bottling. Both Lochside and these earliest Signatory releases have become increasingly scarce, making this an important survivor from the pioneering years of modern independent bottling.
A Fitting Finale
Rounding off this month's highlights is a bottle that perfectly illustrates why early Gordon & MacPhail releases continue to fascinate collectors.
Distilled in 1959 and bottled in January 1973, this Smith's Glenlivet was produced exclusively as the Private Reserve of W. J. Emmison, making it far more than a standard licensed bottling. While Gordon & MacPhail is best known for its Distillery Labels and celebrated 100 Proof releases, the company also produced a small number of bespoke bottlings for private individuals and valued customers, many of which were made in extremely limited quantities and rarely appear on the open market.
Distilled during the post-war boom, when Gordon & MacPhail was quietly laying down casks that would become some of its most celebrated releases, it captures a period long before Smith's Glenlivet became simply Glenlivet.
Whether your interest lies in pre-war single malts, historic official bottlings, private family casks or pioneering independent bottlers, this month's auction offers a remarkable opportunity to acquire bottles that represent some of the most fascinating chapters in Scotch whisky history.
These are just a selection of the highlights. There are plenty of other interesting bottles featured throughout the sale, so be sure to browse the full catalogue and discover what else this month's auction has to offer.