From The Macallan’s most sought after releases to an array of rare Italian import Scotch, including the highly acclaimed Samaroli Laphroaig 1970, and the first full set of the new Prima & Ultima Collection, Sotheby’s online Distilled sale features some of the very rarest whiskies to be offered at auction. Comprising 267 lots with a combined pre-sale estimate in excess of £850,000, the auction will open for bidding at 2pm BST on 26 August and run until 1 September.
“We are thrilled to present our second spirits auction of the month and our largest online auction, with over 250 lots. The quality and variety of bottles offered in this sale are a testament both to the strength of the current whisky market and of our success in developing our online auction format throughout 2020.”
MACALLAN
The sale includes 94 Macallan lots, with a combined pre-sale estimate of £619,460 - 840,450, led by The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection featuring the most iconic whiskies from The Macallan distillery. The collection includes vintages spanning 1940 to 1976, with estimates ranging from £10,000-14,000 to £35,000-48,000 per bottle. In addition, a selection of the 5cl press release samples from the original launch of the Fine & Rare Collection, which were sent out to journalists together with the press release, are estimated at £800-1,200 each.
“At Sotheby’s we have enjoyed a great relationship with The Macallan Fine & Rare series, setting the record for the highest value ever achieved for a bottle of whisky at auction with the Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.”
The Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old 51.5% 1945, est. £35,000-48,000
This Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old is the second oldest age statement in the Fine & Rare Collection after the record-breaking 60 year old 1926. Macallan was one of the only distilleries to operate during World War II. It was forced to use local peat in their production, due to the rationing of commercial coal use. As a result, this distillate represents a very different character to modern Macallan, and with only 152 bottles of this whisky known to exist, this sale presents an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire such a highly prized bottle.
PRIMA & ULTIMA
As well as the Macallan Fine & Rare set, this Distilled sale also marks a momentous occasion in the world of collectable whisky, by featuring Set #1 of the first release of The Prima & Ultima Collection, following the inaugural launch of a new series of single vintage malt whiskies that has only just been announced by distillery owner Diageo. With purchase only through appointed agents, and with pre-order registrations looking to far outstrip the available 238 sets, Sotheby’s sale of set #1 – signed by Dr Jim Beveridge OBE, one of the world’s most respected whisky makers – is the first opportunity to acquire this collection at auction (est. £16,000-28,000). The winning bidder will also secure an exclusive whisky tasting experience with Dr Jim Beveridge.
The sale marks Sotheby’s first ever collaboration with Diageo for charity, and proceeds will be donated to Diageo’s charity partner WaterAid.
Each rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the collection is “the first and the last” of its kind, drawn from a small number of casks from celebrated distilleries including Port Ellen, Cragganmore, Mortlach, Singleton of Dufftown, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Talisker and Clynelish. These eight bottles are the first in an on-going series of single vintage malts, with further editions of Prima & Ultima to be made available in the coming years.
INDEPENDENT BOTTLES
The sale is distinguished by a number of independent bottlings, including three bottles of Laphroaig Samaroli 16 Year Old 1970 (est. £9,000-13,000). The whisky was scored 95 points by Serge Valentin, a well-known name on the whisky scene, one of the highest ratings he has ever given.
“Silvano Samaroli’s bottles are among the most legendary ever produced and this 1970 Laphroaig is undoubtedly my number 1 whisky of all time. It is so rare to see three bottles of this whisky in a single auction”.
Two exquisite releases from Gordon & MacPhail comprise Glen Grant Gordon & MacPhail 62 Year Old Mr. George Centenary Edition 1956 (est. £5,500-7,500, illustrated far left), one of the oldest Glen Grant whiskies ever released, and Longmorn Gordon & MacPhail 53 Year Old Private Collection 1966 (est. £4,300-5,500).
BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE WHISKIES
The sale features an exceptional selection of Japanese whiskies, not least 28 Karuizawa lots with a combined pre-sale estimate of £79,300 - 104,100, made up of Single Cask bottlings and vattings from Japan’s most popular closed distillery. Earlier this year in London, Sotheby’s set the record for the most valuable Japanese Whisky ever sold when a bottle of Karuizawa 1960 achieved £363,000.
Stand-out highlights include Karuizawa Sapphire Geisha 36 Year Old Cask #5077 (est. £11,000-15,000) and The Yamazaki LMDW Private Cask #3T70070 (est. £7,000-9,000).
FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Eleven Port Ellen lots, with a combined pre-sale estimate of £28,950 - 39,250, led by Port Ellen 1979 40 Year Old Casks Of Distinction #1883 (est. £20,000-26,000.
The Original Balvenie “Tun 1401” – The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch #1 (est. £4,000-6,000).
SMWS 26 Malts Collection (est. £4,500-6,000).
Notes to Editors
Auction World Record Prices for Spirits
After launching our Spirits business last year this segment of the market saw the fastest growth with three new auction world record prices.
AUCTION WORLD RECORD PRICE FOR A BOTTLE OF JAPANESE WHISKY
London, March 2020
Karuizawa 52 Year Old Zodiac Rat Cask #5627 1960, $435,273
AUCTION WORLD RECORD PRICE FOR ANY BOTTLE OF THE DALMORE
London, May 2020
Two bottles of The Dalmore 62 Year Old, $324,445 (per bottle)
AUCTION WORLD RECORD PRICE FOR A BOTTLE OF COGNAC
London, May 2020
The Gautier Cognac 1762, $144,525
Sotheby’s holds producer records for: Bowmore, Springbank, Brora, Samaroli and Glenfiddich.
SOTHEBY’S ALSO HOLDS THE AUCTION RECORD FOR THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WINE OR SPIRIT
London, October 2019
The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old 1926, $1.9 million
CONTACT INFO
London | Matthew Floris | Matthew.Floris@Sothebys.com| +44 (0)20 7293 6000
About Sotheby’s Wine
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide sales in 2019 significantly exceeded $100 million for the second consecutive year, led by a 20% increase in auction sales to a total of $118 million – the highest-ever annual total in Sotheby’s history.
Sotheby’s Wine, with a store located within the auction house’s worldwide headquarters on New York’s Upper East Side, offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by Sotheby’s’ experienced specialists, the ever-evolving selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with prices beginning at just $13.95. With bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages, each wine is chosen for its expression of its region and value for money. Each bottle selected by Sotheby’s specialist team must pass the brand’s signature “three-glass” tasting guideline, meaning that the tasters must like it enough to want to drink three glasses, or the standard amount enjoyed when sharing a bottle.
The Sotheby’s Wine Store in New York City is located at 1334 York Avenue, and is open Monday through Friday from 10AM to 7PM and Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. Along with a retail location in Hong Kong Sotheby’s Wine also offers all bottles online, 24 hours, at www.sothebyswine.com.
