The 36th Auction

Welcome our Third Anniversary Auction - our 36th. We'd like to thank everyone who has been with us since the beginning, and those who have joined us along the way. As you know we have moved to The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ. These are serviced suites, so please make sure you put SWA, Scotch Whisky Auctions or Bill Mackintosh on any correspondence, including bottles for auction.

As part of our continuing efforts to improve our service to you, we have introduced a new look to the front page of the auction site. From now on you will see a number of bottle shots in the main picture box in a slideshow selection of what we consider to be among the top bottles in the auction. These will change every few seconds. Our bottom three boxes will continue to be fixed.

Right, now the technical stuff is over, it's time to have a look at what's on offer for our Birthday Bash. If you're old enough to remember The Beatles and Sgt Pepper, you'll know the iconic cover was designed by pop artist Peter (now Sir Peter) Blake. He collaborated with Macallan to produce the breathtaking Eight Decades which mimics the album cover. Housed in an oak box that is deceptively simply from the outside, the interior is an explosion of colour, ideas and a miniature of Macallan from the 1930s through to the Noughties. The labels on the bottles have been designed by Sir Peter and the oldest whisky comes from 1937 and the youngest hails from 2002. A stunning lot.

The top spot is shared with a 20cl version of the astonishing 70 year old Mortlach, unveiled by Gordon & MacPhail In March 2010. It was then the oldest whisky in the world. Distilled at Mortlach Distillery in Dufftown on the 15th of October 1938, this unique and exceptionally rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at natural cask strength (46.1%), having been patiently matured for 70 years in a first fill sherry hogshead.

Also vying for pole position are a beautiful 40 year Ardbeg, and Macallan brings up the final placing with a truly magnificent 52 year old Macallan from 1946.

Other stars are three Macallan Masters of Photography fourth edition, The Macallan has commissioned the most influential living photographer, Elliott Erwitt to capture the spirit of its heartland in his ‘Great Scottish Adventure’. The Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition sees Erwitt interpret the unique richness and depth of Scottish character through his shrewd observational skill and subtle humorous style.

What other gifts can we explore? Dalmore Aurora from 1964, Glenfarclas 1953, Glenfarclas 40 year old, a 1960's Ardbeg, a 74 Provenance, a handful of old Cadenhead dumpies, the Johnny Walker Baccarat Crystal and a Talisker Pure malt all demand we open them!

There's more, much, much more in our largest auction in our short three year history, but as usual, our advice is to plunge in, get bidding - and don't lose your bottle!

Kind regards from the Birthday Boys and Girls in Glasgow

The SWA Team - Bidding To Be The Best