The Balvenie Limited Edition Three Bottle Whisky Tantalus

Item Description

A limited edition 83/350, The Balvenie three-bottle whisky tantalus, comprising two bottles of 10-year-old Founders Reserve Malt Scotch Whisky, both of 70cl e 40% vol.; and a single bottle of 15-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, each bottle forms a limited edition of hand-numbered bottles - maximum of 350 bottles from any one cask. In cask date 17/01/78, bottling date 21/12/93. Cask number 207. Bottle number 83. The bottle signed by David Stewart. 70cl 50.4% vol.

A Closer Look at The Balvenie

1. The Balvenie remains one of Scotland's most traditional distilleries

Unlike many modern distilleries, The Balvenie still carries out several stages of production on site. It grows a proportion of its own barley, operates traditional floor maltings, maintains its own cooperage to repair and prepare casks, and employs coppersmiths to look after its stills. Very few Scotch whisky distilleries continue to retain so many of these traditional crafts in-house.

2. David Stewart helped change the way Scotch whisky is matured

David C. Stewart joined William Grant & Sons in 1962 at the age of 16 and went on to become one of the most influential figures in the Scotch whisky industry. During his career he pioneered cask finishing, a technique involving the transfer of whisky from one type of cask to another for additional maturation. What was once an innovative approach at The Balvenie has since become common practice throughout the Scotch whisky world.

3. Single malt Scotch was still a niche category when this whisky was distilled

When the whisky in this lot entered cask in January 1978, blended Scotch dominated global sales and single malts were largely enjoyed by a relatively small audience. The worldwide popularity of single malt Scotch would not accelerate until the decades that followed.

4. The Balvenie's first official bottlings are relatively recent in the distillery's history

Although The Balvenie was founded in 1892, it was not until the 1970s that the distillery began establishing itself as a single malt brand in its own right. Prior to that, much of its production was destined for use in blends. The Founder's Reserve included in this lot was introduced in 1982 and has since been discontinued.

5. A single cask can never be recreated

Every cask matures differently, even when filled on the same day with the same spirit. Factors such as the oak, warehouse conditions and evaporation influence the final character of the whisky. Once a single cask has been bottled, that exact whisky can never be reproduced, which is why single-cask releases are often individually numbered and closely documented.

6. The late 1970s were a very different era for Scotch whisky production

The whisky in this lot was distilled during a period before the modern whisky boom, before widespread cask-finishing programmes, and before many distilleries expanded production to meet global demand. Production methods remained highly traditional and many of today's famous single malt brands were still developing their identities.

7. Tantalus sets have a history stretching back to Victorian Britain

The term "tantalus" refers to a lockable spirit cabinet designed to display prized bottles while restricting access to them. Popular in wealthy Victorian households, tantalus sets became associated with fine wines and spirits and remain a distinctive form of presentation for collectors today.

Have Tipple To Sell?

Whether you're looking to sell a single bottle or an entire collection, auction can be an excellent way to realise the true market value of your spirits and wines. Collectors are constantly seeking rare and desirable bottles, and demand remains strong for limited-edition releases, discontinued bottlings, vintage bottlings, and items with unique provenance. 

Particularly sought after are older vintages, commemorative editions, obscure or unusual releases, bottles bearing historic or discontinued labels, and items retained in their original presentation cases or packaging. Condition is important; sealed bottles, intact labels, and original boxes generally command the greatest attention from bidders. Whether you have a rare whisky, a vintage wine, a collectable rum, cognac, or other fine spirit, our auctions can connect your bottles with a global audience of knowledgeable buyers competing for exceptional examples.

Contact the office on 01793 840777 or office@rwbauctions.com and one of the team will be happy to assist you.