W&A Gilbey Bottle - SS Politician Wreck 1940s

Few stories in whisky history are as legendary as that of the SS Politician—an event etched into the cultural fabric of Scotland’s Western Isles. The tale famously inspired Whisky Galore, the novel by Compton MacKenzie and its later film adaptation, capturing the imagination of whisky lovers and historians alike. On 5th February 1941, the SS Politician, en route from Liverpool to Kingston, Jamaica and New Orleans, encountered severe weather after passing the Isle of Man. Carrying a remarkable cargo—including some 260,000 bottles of whisky—the ship ran aground off the coast of Eriskay. While the crew were safely rescued, the discovery of the whisky sparked an altogether different kind of “salvage operation” by locals. Despite later efforts by authorities, much of the cargo was never recovered, and surviving bottles from the wreck have since become exceptionally rare. This extraordinary lot features a genuine bottle recovered from the wreck decades later by diver Robert Pitblado, who was commissioned to explore the site in 1980. Recognising its significance, Pitblado sealed the bottle to help preserve its condition and prevent further evaporation. Accompanying this remarkable piece are several unique additions: a signed letter from Robert Pitblado detailing the discovery, a USB containing period national news footage documenting his exploration of the wreck, a signed photograph of Compton MacKenzie, and a 1962 copy of Whisky Galore. A truly unique and historically significant offering, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a tangible piece of whisky folklore—an exceptional centrepiece for any serious collection.