Name: Assorted Miniatures x12
SKU: 0270967
Price: 13.5 GBP
Availability: InStock

A mixed selection of 12 miniatures. Please refer to images for lot contents.

April 2026

Charity Auction

The history of Scotch whisky has to a significant degree been shaped by excise legislation, ever since the first tax was imposed on it by the Scots Parliament in 1644. The parliament passed an Excise Act fixing the duty at 2/8d (13p) per pint of ‘aquavitae or other strong liquor’ – the Scots pint being approximately one third of a gallon.

Over the next two centuries, many changes were made to the legislation surrounding the taxation of whisky, but one factor that never changed was the determination of some distillers to operate illicitly, cutting out any proceeds for the treasury altogether.

In the early 1820s as many as 14,000 illicit stills were being seized each year, and it was estimated that more than half the whisky consumed in Scotland had been distilled without benefit of licence. In 1822 there were no fewer than 6,278 prosecutions for illicit distilling. 

The following year saw the passing of perhaps the most significant piece of legislation ever enacted in relation to Scotch whisky. The Act was an attempt – largely successful, as it turned out – to stifle the extensive trade in illicitly-distilled whisky.

The Excise Act encouraged legal distillation by cutting duty to 2s 5d per gallon, a historic reduction of more than 50 per cent, and a minimum still size of 40 gallons was sanctioned. A licence fee of £10 per annum was introduced, the concept of duty-free warehousing was developed, and distillers were free to export to England and overseas. 

One of the key figures behind the Excise Act of 1823 was the 4th Duke of Gordon, who had extensive estates throughout north-east Scotland, an area that was the very heartland of illicit distillation. Gordon proposed that if new legislation was put in place to make legal distilling more attractive, he and his fellow landowners would do all in their power to uphold the law as diligently as they could and evict anyone convicted of illicit distilling.

The advantages were perceived as being more revenue for the government, despite the lower level of duty, and opportunities for the lairds to make money out of the rash of whisky-making operations that would surely be built as a result of the proposed legislation. Remarkably, no fewer than 79 new distilleries were commissioned between 10th October 1823 and 9th August 1824, with the number of licensed distilleries rising from 111 in 1823 to 263 by 1825.

Perhaps the most significant name from a north-east of Scotland ‘Speyside’ perspective to join the list of legal distilleries was that of Glenlivet, where Captain George Smith began to distil legally at his Upper Drumin farm in 1824. However, Smith’s father, Andrew, had been distilling on the site since 1774, without ever feeling the need to acquire a licence! 
Glenlivet was notable as being the first distillery in the Highlands to be licensed in the wake of the 1823 Excise Act, with support from the Duke of Gordon. Not that the newly licensed Glenlivet flourished without interference, however. Many of Smith’s compatriots considered him a traitor for ‘going legit,’ and as he wrote some years later, they threatened to “…burn the distillery to the ground, and me at the heart of it. The laird of Aberlour presented me with a pair of hair-trigger pistols worth ten guineas, and they were never out of my belt for ten years.”

According to legend, Smith only ever had recourse to his pistols on one occasion. This occurred in a tavern where he stopped for refreshment after delivering some whisky to a customer, and involved a number of would-be thieves, keen to relieve wealthy travellers of their money. When they approached Smith, he drew one of his pistols and fired it into the fireplace. He was allowed to finish his drink in peace.
As a legitimate distillery, Glenlivet supplied high quality single malt to Scotland’s thirsty, expanding population centres to the south, and in terms of reputation, all other Speyside distilleries soon came to exist in its shadow.

One effect of the 1823 Excise Act was a move away from very small, localised licensed distilleries in southern and central Scotland, with larger whisky-making concerns reflecting the general trend towards bigger, more professional and integrated commercial activities across the UK. 
Indeed, Scotland had already witnessed a tendency towards the development of an industry focused on a relatively small number of extensive distilleries, with the likes of Kilbagie, Kennetpans, Glenochil, Cambus and Carsebridge among the most significant. This consolidation continued apace in the wake of the 1823 Act, though the Highlands were still characterised by a larger number of individually smaller distilling operations.

To give a clear idea of just how significant the 1823 Excise Act really was, many of the distilleries and single malts we now value most highly were licensed within a decade or so of its enactment. Not all of these were ‘new builds,’ of course, with some, usually farm-based, having previously operated under the radar without licenses.

The list of distilleries in question includes Balmenach, Ben Nevis, Benrinnes, cardhu, Edradour, Fettercairn, Glen Scotia, Glencadam, GlenDronach, Glenfarclas, Glengoyne, Glenkinchie, Miltonduff, Royal Lochnagar and Talisker   as well as many others no longer in existence.
While a very strong case can be made for declaring the 1823 Excise Act to be the single most important piece of excise legislation relating to Scotch whisky, a case can also be made for the 1860 Spirit Act which legalised the blending of malt and grain whiskies under bond for the first time. But that is another story for another day.

The Deil's awa wi' the Exciseman - Robert Burns

"The deil cam fiddlin' thro' the town, 
And danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman; 
And ilka wife cries,  Auld Mahoun, 
I wish you luck o' the prize, man.

The deil's awa the deil's awa, 
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa he's danc'd awa 
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman.

We'll mak our maut, and we'll brew our drink, 
We'll laugh, sing, and rejoice, man; 
And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil, 
That danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman.

There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels, 
There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man, 
But the ae best dance ere came to the Land 
Was, the deil's awa wi' the Exciseman.

The deil's awa the deil's awa , 
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa he's danc'd awa  
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman."

…burn the distillery to the ground, and me at the heart of it.

In this intriguing piece, Gavin D. Smith delves into the relationship between taxes and the Scotch Whisky industry.

1823 EXCISE ACT

Historical

In our inaugural Blog entry, Guest writer Ian Buxton explores the seemingly unglamorous distillery mill. The unsung hero of whisky distilleries.

The Distillery Mill

Useful Info

buy_sell_with_the_worlds_most_trusted_whisky_auction_2792165_032353.webp

Bidding Ends Monday 16th March

March Whisky Auction Live Now!

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_skyline_cask_no10019.jpg

700ml

59.6%

The Library Cask No.14007

Macallan Masters of Photography | Annie Leibovitz

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_the_library_cask_no14007_2795092_877516.webp

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_the_library_cask_no14007_2795093_252722.webp

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_the_library_cask_no14007_2795094_834067.webp

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_the_library_cask_no14007_2795095_495320.webp

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_the_library_cask_no14007_2795096_904497.webp

macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_the_library_cask_no14007_2795097_810307.webp

glendronach_finest_highland_malt_1930_1940s.jpg

Not Stated

Circa 1930-1940s

Glendronach Finest Highland Malt

glendronach_finest_highland_malt_circa_1930_1940s_2795008_803098.webp

glendronach_finest_highland_malt_circa_1930_1940s_2795009_454818.webp

macallan_2005_exceptional_cask_esh_1180205_2025_release_sherry_hogshead_2794956_367635.webp

70 cl

57.1% vol

2025 Estate Single Cask ESH-11802/05

Macallan 20 Years Old 2005

macallan_2005_exceptional_cask_esh_1180205_2025_release_sherry_hogshead_2794957_251874.webp

lagavulin_35_years_old_1990_2025_the_syndicates_cask_no4396_2793782_786912.webp

42.7%

2025 The Syndicate's | Cask No.4396

Lagavulin 35 Years Old 1990

lagavulin_35_years_old_1990_2025_the_syndicates_cask_no4396_2793783_379943.webp

macallan_71_years_old_the_red_collection.jpg

41.6%

2020 The Red Collection

Macallan 71 Years Old

macallan_71_years_old_2020_the_red_collection_2756307_829356.webp

macallan_71_years_old_2020_the_red_collection_2756308_149648.webp

macallan_71_years_old_2020_the_red_collection_2756309_660447.webp

macallan_71_years_old_2020_the_red_collection_2756310_053462.webp

macallan_71_years_old_2020_the_red_collection_2756311_774396.webp

macallan_71_years_old_2020_the_red_collection_2756312_982431.webp

Minor wax marks to box

bowmore_39_years_old_2022_white_tiger_of_the_west_mythical_guardians_series_807702.webp

49.9%

2022 White Tiger of the West - Mythical Guardians Series

Bowmore 39 Years Old

bowmore_39_years_old_2022_white_tiger_of_the_west_mythical_guardians_series_2792737_512560.webp

bowmore_39_years_old_2022_white_tiger_of_the_west_mythical_guardians_series_2792735_744954.webp

bowmore_39_years_old_2022_white_tiger_of_the_west_mythical_guardians_series_2792734_686302.webp

bowmore_39_years_old_2022_white_tiger_of_the_west_mythical_guardians_series_2792736_002468.webp

Assorted Miniatures x12

Other

Multiple

Miniatures

assorted_miniatures_x12.jpg

refer to images

assorted_miniatures_x12314750.webp

assorted_miniatures_x123b50b7.webp

February 2016

No outer brown cardboard box

macallan_30_years_old_sherry_oak_2023_release.jpg

2023 Release

Macallan 30 Years Old Sherry Oak

macallan_30_years_old_sherry_oak_2023_release_2794947_893087.webp

macallan_30_years_old_sherry_oak_2023_release_2794948_188457.webp

macallan_distil_your_world_mexico_edition.jpg

Mexico Edition

Macallan Distil Your World

macallan_distil_your_world_mexico_edition_2795486_335255.webp

macallan_distil_your_world_mexico_edition_2795487_654823.webp

macallan_easter_elchies_2013.jpg

55.3%

Easter Elchies 2013 Release (Blue Ribbon)

Macallan 17 Years Old 1996

macallan_17_years_old_1996_easter_elchies_2013_release_blue_ribbon_2791376_355703.webp

macallan_17_years_old_1996_easter_elchies_2013_release_blue_ribbon_2791377_899322.webp

edradour_12_years_old_2010_2022_single_sherry_cask_no164_2783612_337873.webp

2022 Single Sherry Cask No.164

Edradour 12 Years Old 2010

edradour_12_years_old_2010_2022_single_sherry_cask_no164_2793458_391226.webp

edradour_12_years_old_2010_2022_single_sherry_cask_no164_2793459_707251.webp

glendronach_24_years_old_1993_single_cask_no655_the_green_welly_stop.jpg

59.4%

Single Cask No.655 The Green Welly Stop

Glendronach 24 Years Old 1993

glendronach_24_years_old_1993_single_cask_no655_the_green_welly_stop_2795118_787461.webp

glendronach_24_years_old_1993_single_cask_no655_the_green_welly_stop_2795119_364086.webp

macallan_classic_cut_2024_edition_610931.jpg

52.4%

2024 Edition

Macallan Classic Cut

macallan_classic_cut_2024_edition_2794427_099360.webp

macallan_classic_cut_2024_edition_2794428_731403.webp

glenallachie_9_years_old_2015_the_sinteis_series_2025_cask_strength_2795143_909172.webp

58.2%

The Sinteis Series | 2025 Cask Strength

Glenallachie 9 Years Old 2015

glenallachie_9_years_old_2015_the_sinteis_series_2025_cask_strength_2795144_447384.webp

tamdhu_batch_strength_batch_1_391252.webp

58.5%

Batch 2

Tamdhu Batch Strength

tamdhu_batch_strength_batch_2_2795253_492900.webp

tamdhu_batch_strength_batch_2_2795254_784349.webp

macallan_17_years_old_1996_easter_elchies_2013_release_blue_ribbon_2795090_534627.webp

macallan_17_years_old_1996_easter_elchies_2013_release_blue_ribbon_2795091_633205.webp

glendronach_43_years_old_1972_single_cask_no706.jpg

51.1%

Single Cask No.706

Glendronach 43 Years Old 1972

glendronach_43_years_old_1972_single_cask_no706_2795010_433273.webp

glendronach_43_years_old_1972_single_cask_no706_2795011_483215.webp

tamdhu_18_years_old_limited_release_134458.jpg

46.8%

Limited Release

Tamdhu 18 Years Old

tamdhu_18_years_old_limited_release_2794592_394082.webp

tamdhu_18_years_old_limited_release_2794593_277733.webp

aberlour_18_years_old_75cl_479213_158295_340993_678004.jpg

75 cl

Double Sherry Cask Batch No. 004

Aberlour 18 Years Old

aberlour_18_years_old_double_sherry_cask_batch_no_004_2794147_768043.webp

aberlour_18_years_old_double_sherry_cask_batch_no_004_2794148_282547.webp

glenmorangie_the_signet.jpg

Glenmorangie Signet

glenmorangie_signet_2793372_389348.webp

glenmorangie_signet_2793373_226154.webp

aberlour_18_years_old_75cl_479213_158295_340993_678004_796008.webp

Double Sherry Cask Batch No. 006

aberlour_18_years_old_double_sherry_cask_batch_no_006_2795258_833466.webp

aberlour_18_years_old_double_sherry_cask_batch_no_006_2795259_466367.webp

Please refer to images for general condition and fill level.

assorted_blended_scotch_whisky_miniatures_x8_2767745_696422_387901_405231_946272.webp

5 cl

Refer to images

(x7)

Assorted Blended Scotch Whisky Miniatures

assorted_blended_scotch_whisky_miniatures_x7_2795443_302199.webp

assorted_blended_scotch_whisky_miniatures_x7_2795444_275446.webp

macallan_stolzle_lausitz_glasses_x2.jpg

Stölzle Lausitz (x2)

Macallan Glasses

macallan_glasses_stolzle_lausitz_x2_2794857_420212.webp

macallan_glasses_stolzle_lausitz_x2_2794858_473784.webp

Please refer to images for general condition.

assorted_ceramic_miniatures_x4_2795465_098911.webp

(x4)

Assorted Ceramic Miniatures

assorted_ceramic_miniatures_x4_2795466_389312.webp

x1 No box

bowmore_de_luxe_miniature_70_proof_671121.webp

1 2/3 fl.ozs

70° Proof

(x2)

Bowmore De Luxe Miniatures

bowmore_de_luxe_miniatures_x2_2795445_928629.webp

bowmore_de_luxe_miniatures_x2_2795446_193800.webp

balvenie_copper_dipping_dog_stand_364321_071790.webp

Balvenie Copper Dipping Dog & Stave Stand

balvenie_copper_dipping_dog_stave_stand_2795286_827358.webp

balvenie_copper_dipping_dog_stave_stand_2795287_512900.webp

arran_9_years_old_2015_2025_cadenheads_whisky_shop_edinburgh_2768647_246976_035107_485496_105948_245983.webp

57.9%

2025 Cadenhead's Whisky Shop Edinburgh

Dailuaine 16 Years Old 2008

dailuaine_16_years_old_2008_2025_cadenheads_whisky_shop_edinburgh_2790856_143208.webp

dailuaine_16_years_old_2008_2025_cadenheads_whisky_shop_edinburgh_2790857_381884.webp

ardnahoe_5_years_old_2nd_release_ardnahoe_society_2025_2790845_608215.webp

700 ml

61.1%

2nd Release | Ardnahoe Society 2025

Ardnahoe 5 Years Old

ardnahoe_5_years_old_2nd_release_ardnahoe_society_2025_2790846_119918.webp

macallan_16_years_old_2008_decadent_drams_the_marketing_malt_2762820_543684_647168.webp

Decadent-Drams x Aquavitae 'The Virtual Malt' | Incl Label Print

Macallan 17 Years Old 2008

Assorted Miniatures x12

Assorted Miniatures x12

Sell Whisky with 0% Commission

How To Buy Whisky?