Bringing you the Spirit of Christmas
Bringing you the Spirit of Christmas
By Elizabeth Talbot
“A Christmas Carol” is the name of a special release Copperfield gin made by the Surrey Copper Distillery. It was distilled in the Surrey hills by husband-and-wife team Dr Chris and Professor Katherine Smart, who between them have a degree in biochemistry and chemical engineering, and a PhD in brewing and distilling. Katherine is also a book collector, and all their stills are named after literary characters - Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Alice, and Wendy (Darling) - and their branding is inspired by designs on antique book covers. Their original London dry gin is based upon a recipe dating back to 1757, found in a library archive and attributed to Ambrose Cooper. It includes pink peppercorns, cubeb berries, rose petals, hibiscus and elderflower. “A Christmas Carol” focusses on cloves, cinnamon, star anise, orange, rosemary and sage. If you’d like to add this to your festive table, TW Gaze have a bottle for sale in their next Wines & Spirits auction, Thursday 10th December.
It is just one lot from a private collection of approximately 70 bottles of craft gin consigned to the sale, which itself comprises over 300 lots, including a separate private collection of over 100 bottles of highly collectable whiskies. There are also fine wines and a handsome selection of ports and brandies.
Cataloguer and valuer Lisa West, who has developed and grown the Wines & Spirits sales at Diss Auction Rooms over many years, is delighted by the quality and variation represented in her next catalogue. “The Wines & Spirits Sales are always popular, and there is a strong following for these dedicated auctions. Markets are generally very strong and interest is international. However, the pre-Christmas event is always rather special and the arrival of two separate private collections couldn’t have been better timed. Their standard has been matched by the many other entries and it should be an excellent event.”
There is certainly a varied and colourful array of attractive bottles on display; some in bespoke boxes and presentation cases. Among Lisa’s favourites are some Macbeth Collection Scotch whiskies (Glen Garioch, Cambus, Islay and Blair Athol) from a series bearing labels illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake, including, “First Ghost”, “First Witch”, and “Bloody Sergeant”, each individually boxed. They are being sold individually but are expected to reach over £1,000 in total.
There is Hibiki 21-year-old blended whiskey from Japan (£300 – 400), Great Outback rare Old Australian single malt (£150 – 200) and Midleton very rare Irish Whiskey, 2006 (£400 – 600). The wide selection of Scottish whiskies is headlined by a bottle of Macallan 1980’s 18-year-old Single Highland Malt (£1,000 – 1,300) and a Port Ellen 1979 Connoisseurs Choice whisky (£800 – 1,000). Other distilleries featured include Highland Park, Caol Ila, Blackadder, Tomintoul, Dailuaine and Mortlach, and there are several lots of mixed miniatures, as well.
Many vineyards and wine estates are represented, including a crate of 12 1993 Mowton Rothschild and Chateau de Musset, and there are Bollinger bubbles, too. There is a choice of ports, including a collection of Dow’s, Graham’s and Taylor’s from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Throughout the sale, pre-auction lot estimates range from £30 – 40 to £3,000 – 3,500.
“There is a great deal in the sale which will appeal to serious collectors”, says Lisa, “but it is also the perfect occasion for buying a Christmas present or two, or stocking up for some extremely tasteful festive celebrations.”
Fully illustrated catalogue, viewing times and bidding instructions available twgaze.co.uk.
