Springbank 50 Years Old 1919

Widely regarded as the world's most collectible whisky miniature, this glass 5cl bottle represents one of the most extraordinary miniature lots to ever come to our auction. Just 24 full-sized bottles of the 1919 Springbank were ever released, and this is bottle number 17 from an equally limited miniature edition — presented complete with its original period certificate of authenticity, bearing the signature of John Galt, Managing Director of Eaglesome Limited, the commercial and agency arm of Springbank's parent company, J&A Mitchell. The liquid itself carries remarkable historical weight. Distilled on 19th December 1919 — mere weeks after the US Congress passed the Volstead Act, setting Prohibition in motion — this whisky survived an era that proved catastrophic for the Campbeltown industry, which lost 17 of its distilleries as export markets collapsed. That this spirit endured undisturbed through half a century of turbulence borders on the miraculous. By the time it was finally bottled in the 1970s, it was considered among the oldest vintage whiskies available anywhere in the world. The full-sized release was subsequently listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive whisky on the planet. The 1919 Springbank has appeared in several forms over the years. The initial release came in Springbank's classic pear-shaped bottle, before remaining stock was rebottled and relaunched in a new presentation during the 1980s — the period from which this miniature originates. No strength is stated on the label, though the original release was bottled at 66.3 UK proof, equivalent to 37.8% ABV.