Rare and Collectable Whiskies

This week we are taking a look at our range of rare and collectable whiskies, over the past few years whiskies have become a very collectable item and we do offer a wide range of whiskies which will be a great piece for collectable.

Here is a few that I would recommend:

Glen Flager 5 Year Old

A 1970s bottling of 5 year old whisky from the incredibly rare Glen Flagler. It was not actually a distillery, but the name of the whisky produced from stills at the Moffat Grain Distillery in Airdrie. Only produced for 21 years between 1964 and 1985, Glen Flagler bottlings are highly collectable.

Nose: Warm grain, with fruity fragrances of pear.

Mouth: Medium body with apple cider, sour at first with vanilla notes.

Finish: Short with oak tannins and white pepper.

Bruichladdich 1998 Oloroso Sherry 10 Year Old

Part of a pair of 1998 Sherry Editions from Bruichladdich, this whisky was distilled during a six week period in 1998. This was the only time the distillery was working between Jan 1995 and May 2001. There was only 9000 bottles ever released this bottle number 3044

Nose: Sweet with raisins and vanilla as refreshing fruits also dominate with honey.

Palate: Rich with chocolate and yet more raisin, vanilla and honey as dark summer fruits also feature on this sweet palate.

Finish: Medium length, and sweet.

Ardbeg 1990 Alright Nam Beist

Airigh Nam Beist (pronounced ‘Arry nam Bysht’ 1990 is a delicious vintage bottling, matured in ex-bourbon casks from the ongoing success story that is Ardbeg. Unfortunately now discontinued due to exhausted stocks, ‘the Beist’ was an extremely popular Ardbeg, with assertive and powerful peatiness and a lovely honeyed edge.
The rather ominous name, ‘Airigh Nam Beist’ derives from the Scotch Gaelic for ‘Shelter of the Beast.’

Nose: Initially a combination of sea spray and creamy vanilla ice cream infused with hints of peat oil with a fudge sauce.

Palate: A traditional Ardbeg taste with peat, bonfire smokiness, crispy bacon and maple syrup leaving a peppery feel. Sweet and fruity flavours later emerge as notes of black coffee, liquorice and reminders of parma violets linger in the background.

Finish: Long on the finish with dried peat and creamy notes.

Always keep an eye out on our website for whiskies which come under our “Golden era” which is 60s/70s these whiskies are very collectable.Also remember we have a Turmeaus rare and vintage facebook page which you can find here.

Slainte,

Craig

Summertime… and the livin’ is easy :)

Good grief the weather is hot in London! Topping 30C today according to my weather app. Perfect for some roof-down herfing in the ol’ car and perfect for BBQ herfing in the garden 🙂 I have my deck open and super comfortable whilst the weather lasts. I’ve been blasting through a box of Por Larranaga Sobresalientes over the weekend and they really are Sobresalientes! ( ‘outstanding’).  I’m told they are sold out at the importers now so this is your last chance of laying them down… C.Gars and Turmeaus shops have reasonable stocks at this time but I doubt they will last long.

We’re going through a sort of mini boom in the cigar trade in the UK this year, not quite sure why but our sales have never been so high. Lots of Havanas going in and out of stock every day. The latest out of stocks are El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme and H. Upmann Magnum 50. We have huge stocks of everything so we can iron out quite a few rough spots. Cohiba Robusto Supremo are also out as are Trinidad Topes. Thankfully Trinidad Vigia is back in 🙂 I’m not really sure of the reason for the out of stocks, could be the massive increase in demand or continuing shortages from Cuba which we had thought and hoped were coming to an end.

We held the second vintage cigar auction of 2017 on July 11th and achieved a very successful sale rate knocking down 318 out of the 322 Lots offered.

There was continued and substantial interest and price appreciation on almost all categories.

Staggering results were achieved for some early Limited and Regional editions.

Overall sales (including fees) amounted to some £433,608 (approximately $563,691)

Highlights of the sale included:

Lot 328 – Punch Coronas £40,500.00
Lot 295 – Partagas 155th Anniversary Humidor  £12000 – £14000
Lot 296 – Partagas 165th Anniversary Humidor £10,100.00
Lot 323 – Partagas No. III £9,600.00
Lot 326 – Por Larranaga Coronations Miniature £6,600.00
Lot 317 – Hoyo de Monterrey Selection humidor £6,500.00
Lot 274 – Davidoff Chateau Yquem £6,300.00
Lot 310 – Dunhill  Special Seleccion No. 415 £6,100.00

I believe the weakness of Sterling likely fueled the high prices achieved. We had a staggering amount of bidders which topped 500 at one stage online. Demand for high quality aged and rare Havanas seems to be insatiable with increased interest again noted from our clients in the Far East.

The next vintage cigar auction will be held at 12pm on the 10th September 2017 followed by a Winter auction at the end of November. We’re considering entries for both sales at this time and details should be emailed to us in the first instance [email protected]

I’m zooming up to Liverpool in the morning to check out the new Turmeaus expansion as well as The Puffin’ Rooms. My team tell me that we should be open within the week. Exciting stuff! More details to follow.

Have a smoky week in the sunshine!

Peaceful puffing,

Mitchell

Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky has been some of the most sought after whisky in the world over the last year, but some people believe Japanese whisky is a new thing or that they mainly make blended whisky only.

Japan is the world’s third largest producer of whisky behind the Scots and the Americans, the popularity of Japanese whiskies has grown to the wider international audience since a Japanese whisky first won a major award in 2001.

Following there initial success they have won two of the most prestigious prizes at the World Whisky Awards in 2008 Yoichi 20 Year Old won the Single Malt and the Hibiki 30 Years Old won Best Blended Whisky.

There are eight operating whisky distilleries in Japan, we have whiskies from the following distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, Yoichi, Miyagikyo and White Oak

Key Facts

Whisky from Japan is normally twice distilled and Pot Stills are used. Malted barley is mainly imported from Scotland; they also get some barley from Australia. Japanese whisky companies do not share their stocks of whisky when producing a blend unlike in Scotland and Ireland. Therefore blends will only consist of whisky produced at a maximum two distillers.

Personal Favourite Japanese Whisky

Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Old

Yamazaki 12 Year Old is one of the whiskies that I do go back to time and time again. It is ages in Sherry and Japanese oak casks; it is delicate and elegant with plenty of fruity aromas which come through on the nose and on the palate. This is a must try for anyone looking at Japanese whiskies it gives you a true representation of what Japanese whiskies are all about.

Slainte

Craig

Summer Cigar Auction

It’s Summer Auction time and the Lots are all online and the catalogue is now available and has already been posted to our auction clients around the world.

Our auction department kicked off back in 2009 and to the best of my knowledge C.Gars is the only specialist cigar auctioneer to hold regular sales throughout the year.

This will be our 21st auction and the catalogue has a splendid selection of aged, mature and unusual cigars including some hyper rare pre embargo Havanas that are quite breath-taking and pristine in condition and appearance.

Auction Lots can be viewed online and bid on here.

PDF catalogue can be viewed on this link.

Featured Lots in this sales include:

Lot 328 – A magnificent cabinet of 500 Punch Coronas, Pre Embargo.
Estimate: £40,500 – £49,500

Lot 323 – A cabinet of 100 Partagas No. III.
Estimate: £9,500 – £10,500

Lot 296 – Partagas 165th anniversary humidor from 2010 of 50 cigars.
Estimate: £6,500 – £8,500

Lot 310 – Dunhill Special Selection No. 415. Pre Embargo cabinet of 60 cigars.
Estimate: £6,000 – £8,000

Lot 274 – A sealed cabinet of 50 Davidoff Chateau Yquem from the 1980’s.
Estimate: £5,500 – £7,500

Lot 317 – Hoyo de Monterrey selection humidor of 50 Pre Embargo cigars.
Estimate: £5,000 – £6,000

Lot 326 – Por Larranaga Miniatures, humidor of 100 Pre Embargo cigars.
Estimate: £5,000 – £6,000

Lot 127 – Rafael Gonzales Inmensas cabinet of 50 large format cigars from the early 1960’s.
Estimate: £4,750 – £5,750

Lot 273 – Davidoff Chateau Latour part cabinet of 47 cigars from the 1970’s.
Estimate: £4,500 – £6,500

Over 330 Lots will be sold at this online only auction with the auction ending on Sunday the 11th June.

Lots are available for inspection by appointment Monday to Friday  at our London offices. We are delighted to provide any further details or condition reports, simply email Laura Graham or Michelle Adler in our Auction Team  at [email protected] quoting Lot numbers.

I find it so interesting to see how tastes in collectible cigars have changed as have values over the years. I actually started specialising in vintage Havanas back in 1998. I have left all past auction sales results online as a useful resource for cigar collectors and aficionados to be able to easily access.

Of course we are well known for buying and selling vintage Havana cigars throughout the year and we are always happy to provide a free valuation and sales advice service.

Next week I’m heading up North to Turmeaus Liverpool to check on final bits and pieces for the Turmeaus and The Puffin Rooms expansion and heading back just in time to vote in the general election! I’m planning on an all-night election herf  🙂 no matter who you vote for… remember to vote! (great excuse for an all nighter herf lol)

I’m already cramming my weekend and election baggie full of some of my firm favourites… long night so big smokes 🙂

Partagas Salamones (I love these smokes!)

Cuaba Diademas 2006 vintage

Sancho Sanchos Orchant Seleccion 1999

H.Upmann Connoisseur A

Por Larranaga Sobresalientes

That should keep me going 🙂 Plus a bottle of award winning Orchant Selection Cigar Malt.

Have a smokey weekend.

Peaceful puffing,

Mitchell