Artisan Casks Ancient Alba 'AON' 52 Year Old 1972 (1 Bottle 1.5L + EXP)

Artisan Casks Ancient Alba 'AON' 52 Year Old 1972

• Ancient Alba ‘AON’ is the first ever bottle to be drawn from the first ever cask of the new Artisan Casks programme from The Artisanal Spirits Company.

• The 52 year old blended grain Scotch whisky, presented in a magnum 1.5 litre bottle, has been anonymously donated to Distillers One Of One by the private cask owner and will never be commercially available in any other form.

• Distilled in 1972, the whisky was disgorged from Refill American oak bourbon barrel #901228, before bottling at 50.1% abv on 08/08/2025.

• The lot includes an exclusive private tasting and dining experience culminating at the spiritual home of Artisan Casks at The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh.

Tasting Notes:

There is no substitute for time, and when a whisky reaches more than half a century in age it takes on an exceptionally rare character. Aged grain whisky is at its best after a lengthy maturation period, and this cask has developed luscious rich notes reminiscent of Armagnac, with overaged rum, plumb jam and marzipan on the nose. On the palate, there is a layer of stone fruit and dark chocolate toffee, as well as a lively fruitiness, Parma violets and chalky-sweet sherbet. The finish is everything you would expect from such a treasured old whisky – long and lingering with polished wood and dried pineapple.  

1 bottle 1.5 litre + experience

Conditions:

Lying with the donor. Duty Paid.

1. Booking & Availability

• The experience must be booked at least four (4) weeks in advance of the desired date.

• All bookings are subject to venue availability and confirmation by the Artisanal Spirits Company (“ASC”).

• Experiences are available Tuesday to Sunday, during standard venue opening hours. Opening times vary by location and are subject to change.

• The experience will be hosted at The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6BZ, United Kingdom, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

2. Validity Period

• The experience must be redeemed within 24 months of the auction date, unless otherwise agreed in writing by ASC.

• The experience may not be re-auctioned, resold, or transferred to another party.

3. Experience Details

• Valid for up to four (4) guests, including the auction-winning client.

4. Limitations & Discretion

• This experience is not transferable or redeemable for cash.

• Any off-site or bespoke adaptations must be pre-approved by ASC.

• All guests must be 18 years or older and comply with venue policies and responsible drinking guidelines.

• ASC and Scotch Malt Whisky Society (“SMWS”) reserve the right to refuse service to any guest who does not adhere to professional conduct standards.

5. Photography & Media Use

• Guests are welcome to take personal photos during the experience.

• ASC and SMWS may photograph the experience.

6. Force Majeure

ASC shall not be held liable for any failure to deliver the experience due to events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Acts of God (e.g. extreme weather, natural disasters)

• Government restrictions or public health emergencies

• Venue closures or operational disruptions

• Transportation strikes or delays

In such cases, ASC will make reasonable efforts to reschedule the experience or offer a comparable alternative.

Please note the purchase price does not include applicable shipping, taxes or import charges which may be charged in addition to the purchase price.

For VAT queries, please contact: Chloe.Kong@sothebys.com

Should you wish to ship, store or bottle your purchases, arrangements will be made directly with the Donor of this lot. Replica Shoes 's will provide an introduction between the relevant buyer and donor in order for this to be arranged.

Please note that for Wine and Spirits Lots, the Buyer’s Premium rate is 24% of the Hammer Price and the Overhead Premium rate is 1% of the Hammer Price. The Buyer’s Premium and Overhead Premium are subject to any applicable VAT/GST and/or sales or use tax. Please refer to the Conditions of Business for further details.