White Horse America’s cup 1987
75cl / 40%
£99.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
Tasting Notes
Peat and Fresh-Cut Grass
Honey, Citrus and Peat
Long Finish, Peat and Orange
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Commemorative, Lagavulin-influenced White Horse blend for the 1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle, usually 40% and 75cl, with rarer 43% and ceramic variants.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | White Horse Distillers (DCL/Diageo) / Scotland (Blended Scotch) |
| Category | Premium blended Scotch whisky (commemorative) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | Often stated/implied 12 Years Old / Commemorative 1987 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV standard; 43% ABV rarer / 75cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Blend with Lagavulin malt and grain whiskies / detailed regime not stated |
| Natural Colour | No (caramel E150a common) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated (limited commemorative run) |
| Intended channel | Australian/export/duty-free commemorative release |
| Packaging | Flat glass bottle with America’s Cup label; also Royal Doulton ceramic decanter |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some bottles show “at least 12 years old”; others look NAS. 43% ABV and ceramic are rarer and should be priced higher. |
Historical Context
White Horse was a flagship DCL blend with a distinctive smoky backbone from Lagavulin. In 1987, the brand issued a special America’s Cup bottling to celebrate the event held in Perth, Western Australia. The timing capitalised on heightened interest in the race following Australia’s earlier win and the shift away from the US as the automatic defender. The bottling sits in a line of 1980s Scotch commemoratives made for sporting or royal events, and its collectability today is made up of three factors: White Horse’s historical reputation, the link to Lagavulin in the blend, and the 1987 yachting tie-in.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This was a premiumised White Horse – effectively the house blend in a higher-spec guise. Bottling strength and packaging define the sub-variants more than the liquid itself.
Documented variants
-
40% ABV, 75cl, flat glass commemorative bottle
-
43% ABV, 75cl, flat glass commemorative bottle (rarer)
-
40% ABV, 75cl, Royal Doulton ceramic ship’s decanter (rarest)
-
3cl/5cl miniatures
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Packaging | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 75cl | Flat glass bottle | Standard 1987 commemorative | Standard collector entry |
| 43% | 75cl | Flat glass bottle | Higher strength, less common | High |
| 40% | 75cl | Royal Doulton ceramic decanter | Ceramic, 1980s commemorative | Highest |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
-
Label should show White Horse branding plus America’s Cup 1987 / Royal Perth Yacht Club licence text.
-
For glass: check capsule/screw cap intact and fill above shoulder.
-
For ceramic: inspect for chips, hairlines, and especially low fill (ullage).
-
Confirm ABV on the label (40% vs 43%).
Regulatory/terminology notes
-
Blended Scotch whisky.
-
Where “12 years” or “at least 12 years old” appears, treat it as a genuine age statement.
-
Colouring and chill filtration are standard for blends of this era.
Liquid Profile
-
Nose: Light smoke from Lagavulin component, soft malt, grassy notes, faint coastal salt.
-
Palate: Smooth, honeyed, citrus peel, vanilla, gentle peat running underneath.
-
Finish: Medium, slightly peaty and coastal, with sweet oak.
-
With water: Not recommended at 40%.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
-
Current UK specialist retail: c. £99 for a good flat 40% 75cl bottle.
-
Auction corridor: £40–£100 depending on format and condition.
-
Ceramic/Royal Doulton decanter examples often fetch £100–£150+ at hammer because of the decanter.
-
Stratification: ceramic highest; 43% glass next; 40% flat glass entry.
-
Liquidity: steady – bought by blend collectors and by people collecting 1980s sailing memorabilia.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Recent | 75cl, 40% glass | 99 | Specialist listing |
| Auction | Recent | 75cl, 40% glass | 40 | Average-condition hammer |
| Auction | Recent | 75cl, 40% ceramic decanter | 100–150 | Decanter-led price |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
White Horse Distillers sat inside DCL, drawing on Islay malt to make its blend distinctive. That Lagavulin thread is why older White Horse bottlings are still sought after.
Sourcing
-
Prefer the ceramic or the 43% glass.
-
Reject badly ullaged ceramics or bottles without the America’s Cup labelling.
-
Boxed examples should be photographed and priced higher.
