End Date : Sep 13 2023 08:10 PM
We may have sold this bottle before. Click the graph below to view our sales history.
Balblair 1973 - 1995. Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail to celebrate their centenary 1895-1995. 70cl. 40%. In presentation box.
One of a series of eight superb Centenary Bottlings released by Gordon & MacPhail in 1995 to celebrate the company’s first century in business. The eldest of these whiskies was distilled in 1948 while the youngest dates from 1984, and while all of these special editions are highly collectable, several of them have passed into legend and are now extremely highly sought-after, with the Caol Ila 1966 and the Glenburgie 1948 rated amongst the greatest bottlings from their respective distilleries.
Located in the Northern Highlands a few miles from Glenmorangie, Balblair’s whisky is old-school coastal Highland style. The original Balblair distillery was founded in 1790 but production was moved in 1872 to a new distillery which was subsequently rebuilt in 1894 and then mothballed from 1911-1949. Balblair was acquired by Hiram Walker in 1970, became part of Allied Distillers in 1988 and was finally sold to Inver House Distillers in 1996. Inver House have been owned by Thai Beverages plc since 2006.
Sporadic official bottlings of Balblair occurred prior to the Inver House takeover, and Gordon & MacPhail also bottled Balblair semi-officially under licence for many years. Inver House issued a memorable 33-year-old Balblair in 2000 before launching a popular vintage range in 2007. The core range reverted to age statement releases in 2019. Most of the classic indie Balblairs are from Gordon & MacPhail, with notable releases also from bottlers including the SMWS, Adelphi and Douglas Laing.
Founded in Elgin as a merchant grocer and wine and spirits wholesaler in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail are one of the oldest independent whisky bottlers in Scotland. Co-founder James Gordon owned shares in Longmorn, Strathisla and Glen Grant, and Gordon & MacPhail were soon bottling officially licensed single malts from several distilleries and sending empty casks from their wine business to be filled with new make spirit and returned for maturation in their Elgin warehouses.
Gordon & MacPhail pioneered high strength single malts at 100 proof (57%) in the 1950s, and in 1968 the company launched Connoisseurs Choice, one of the first integrated ranges of small batch independent whisky bottlings. After finally becoming distillers themselves with the purchase of Benromach in 1993, in 2010 Gordon & MacPhail bottled the first 70-year-old single malt whisky (a Mortlach 1938) and in 2020 the company released the first ever 80-year-old whisky: Glenlivet 1940.
Whisky-Online Auctions is a public auction for collectible spirits. Lots are offered for sale in their existing condition and bidders are expected to satisfy themselves as to the condition, authenticity, description and suitability of any Lot before placing a bid.
Although a condition report is normally included within the Lot description, prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect Lots in person prior to bidding. If this is not possible and further information is required, bidders should use the "Ask A Question" facility to request clarification or a more detailed condition report before bidding.
All Lots are sold strictly "as seen" and "as described". Any condition report, commentary, dating estimate, provenance information or opinion provided by Whisky-Online Auctions is offered in good faith and represents our assessment at the time of cataloguing. Such information should not be considered a guarantee or warranty.
Whisky-Online Auctions reserves the right to amend, correct, supplement or clarify any catalogue description, image or other Lot information, and to withdraw, combine or divide Lots, at any time prior to the conclusion of the auction. Bidders are responsible for reviewing the final Lot description and any updates issued before bidding.
Due to the age and nature of collectible spirits, natural deterioration may occur over time, including evaporation, ullage, leakage, cork deterioration, capsule degradation, label wear and oxidation. The condition of the liquid, closure, seal and packaging is entirely at the buyer's discretion and risk. Whisky-Online Auctions makes no warranty as to the drinkability, taste, quality or suitability for consumption of any Lot.
All bottles are inspected prior to sale and, unless otherwise stated, are sealed. However, Whisky-Online Auctions cannot guarantee the integrity of any cork, seal, stopper or closure.
Images form part of the description and depict the actual Lot being offered. Where visible, fill levels will be shown in the images and/or description. If the filling level is impossible to determine, such as with ceramics decanters, we will provide an overall weight of the decanter in KG. Information relating to bottle age, bottling period, vintage, provenance, rarity and historical background is provided to the best of our knowledge based on available research and industry experience. Any date or bottling period assigned to a Lot represents our opinion at the time of cataloguing and should not be considered a guarantee or warranty.
Any questions relating to condition, authenticity, provenance, fill level, dating or packaging must be raised before bidding. Questions or concerns raised after a bid has been placed, after the auction has ended, or after a Lot has been won will not constitute grounds for cancelling a bid, refusing payment or disputing the sale.
By placing a bid, bidders confirm that they have reviewed the description and images, sought any additional information they require, and are satisfied with the Lot. All sales are final except where required otherwise by law or under the Whisky-Online Auctions Terms and Conditions.
| BID | DATE | TIME | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £330.00 | 13th September 2023 | 07:49 PM | |
No Product Found
By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by Whisky-Online Auctions' Terms and Conditions of Sale.
You acknowledge that your bid is binding and irrevocable.
If you are the successful bidder, a legally binding contract for the purchase of the Lot will be formed in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. You agree to pay the hammer price together with the Buyer's Premium, any applicable VAT and all other charges payable under those Terms, including delivery charges where applicable.
By bidding, you confirm that you are authorised to place the bid, are acting on your own behalf or have full authority to act on behalf of another person or entity, and have the financial means to complete the purchase if your bid is successful.
No Product Found
By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by Whisky-Online Auctions' Terms and Conditions of Sale.
You acknowledge that your bid is binding and irrevocable.
If you are the successful bidder, a legally binding contract for the purchase of the Lot will be formed in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. You agree to pay the hammer price together with the Buyer's Premium, any applicable VAT and all other charges payable under those Terms, including delivery charges where applicable.
By bidding, you confirm that you are authorised to place the bid, are acting on your own behalf or have full authority to act on behalf of another person or entity, and have the financial means to complete the purchase if your bid is successful.