Description

The Item you are bidding on is exactly as shown in the photographs. Descriptions may vary from actual items.

A very rare and historically interesting bottle of Yellowhammer Irish Whiskey, produced by W. & A. Gilbey, the celebrated wine and spirit merchants closely associated with some of Ireland’s most important bonded whiskeys.

Gilbey’s established its Dublin operation in 1859 and became one of the country’s leading whiskey bonders, famously maturing substantial stocks of John Jameson & Son whiskey in its bonded warehouses. The company is best remembered today as the original creator and bottler of Redbreast, first documented under that name in 1912.

Yellowhammer formed part of Gilbey’s fascinating tradition of giving Irish whiskeys bird-inspired names. Historical whiskey sources identify Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Redbreast, Skylark & Merlin as part of this series.
Reportedly reflecting the ornithological interests of Gilbey’s management.

Far less frequently encountered than Redbreast, surviving examples of Yellowhammer are exceptionally scarce and offer a fascinating glimpse into the wider Gilbey’s whiskey portfolio that has largely disappeared from view.

We have never seen an example of Yellowhammer and our reserach cannot find another example.

A particularly desirable bottle for collectors of historic Irish whiskey, W. & A. Gilbey memorabilia and early Redbreast-related bottlings.

LOT No. IWA: 65795901