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Caol Ila 1974-1995 - 20 Year Old - Signatory Vintage - Single Cask 12584

LOT ID: 0723-431


End Date : Sep 13 2023 08:17 PM


Total Bids: 96   

Winning Bid
£600.00


LOT DESCRIPTION

Caol Ila 1974 - 1995. 20 Year Old. Bottled by Signatory Vintage. Cask number 12584. One of 208 bottles. 70cl. 55.7%. In presentation box.

1974 was a very special year on Islay, with some all-time classic whiskies distilled at Port Ellen, Laphroaig, Bowmore and, most famously, Ardbeg. Though often overlooked, the 1974 Caol Ilas we’ve tried have been frequently outstanding drams. Signatory Vintage released over two dozen bottlings of Caol Ila 1974 between 1991 and 2007, and Cask 12584 is right up there with the best of them: a refill cask bottled at 55.7%, allowing the distillery’s elemental phenols and salty lemon tang to express their full power. Beautifully austere.

CONDITION

Good.

FILLING LEVEL

Upper Shoulder

Distillery:  Caol Ila

Distillery Status:  Working

Bottler: Signatory Vintage

Region: Islay

Distilled Year: 1974

Bottling Year: 1995

Age: 20

Bottles Produced: 208

Limited Edition: yes

Cask Number: 4289

Category: Single Malt

Country: Scotland

Bottle Size: 70cl / 700ml

ABV: 55.7%

Founded in 1846, Caol Ila distillery was taken over by Diageo forerunner DCL in 1927. The distillery was completely rebuilt in 1972-74 and now produces over 6 million litres annually, much of which goes into Johnnie Walker. The widespread belief that Caol Ila is Islay’s most underrated distillery has become a truth so universally acknowledged that it may no longer be true, though it remains in the shadow of Bowmore and the south coast distilleries. 

Official Caol Ilas were bottled sporadically before Diageo relaunched it as a single malt brand in 2002. A famous yellow label 12-year-old and a rare 15-year-old occasionally appeared under DCL’s Bulloch & Lade subsidiary from the 1960s onwards, and there was a short-lived Flora & Fauna 15-year-old in the late 1980s and a magnificent sherried 15-year-old Manager’s Dram bottled in 1990. Independent Caol Ila is abundant and always great value.

Signatory Vintage Whisky Company was founded by Andrew Symington in 1988 after a spell as assistant manager at the Prestonfield House Hotel, where he had the opportunity to buy a cask of Glenlivet 1968. A robust and canny businessman, Symington had soon acquired some outstanding parcels of casks from great distilleries, and quickly established a reputation among single malt fans for good value, high quality single casks, the majority of which were released at full strength.

Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Signatory released outstanding whisky from Ardbeg, Glenfarclas, Springbank and many more, with frequently remarkable examples of lost or obscure distilleries. Soon established as one of the leading new wave independent bottlers, Symington was also an early exponent of bottling whiskies without colouring or chill filtration, a policy that has also served Signatory well at their Edradour distillery, which was purchased in 2002.

DISCLAIMER

Although a condition report is normally included in the Lot description, this is not comprehensive and is based on a brief overview. Most items will be described as good or fair, this does not mean it will not exhibit wear or tear. We do recommend viewing/close inspection prior to placing any bids. If this is not an option and you have questions beyond the offered description and images, please use the form below "Ask A Question" to make specific enquiries or to receive a more in-depth condition report. Otherwise, Lots will be sold as seen.
Please note: due to the various ages of bottles, corks and their seals, condition of liquid is at the buyer's discretion. And no claim can be lodged against failure/leakage in any circumstance. All bottles are checked for authenticity by our whisky specialists Wayne & Harrison Ormerod prior to any auction. We do not auction opened bottles so therefore all items are sealed unless stated under certain circumstances where seals were never issued by the producer.
No item is deemed new and may exhibit wear or tear, however many items are generally in good condition. If an item has notable faults, we will make every effort to mention these in the description. The images supplied are of the actual item you will receive. If the filling level of the liquid is not visible in the images provided, we aim to indicate the current position in the 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. Our filling level guideline can be on this page.
All information in this listing is provided to the best of our knowledge including when we chose to provide a condition report or date the age of a bottle. If you are unhappy with the listing or believe there is an error/discrepancy, you should not place a bid and notify us immediately and we will address the Lot accordingly. Placing a bid confirms you have checked the Lot and are satisfied.

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BID HISTORY

BID DATE TIME
Last Bids £600.00 13th September 2023 20:07