7th May 2009

 SIZE ISN’T EVERYTHING AS RARE DRAM GOES UNDER THE HAMMER

One of the world’s rarest whisky miniatures is set to be the star attraction at an auction of rare and collectable whisky in Glasgow on 13th May. 
The miniature of Springbank, which was distilled in 1919 and comes with a letter of authenticity, is expected to fetch around £1200 when it goes under the hammer at the McTears Homecoming auction, making it one of the most desirable drams in the world. 
“When it arrived at the auction house it was packaged in a light bulb box and I don’t think the owner quite appreciated the significance of the bottle,” explains McTears whisky specialist, Andrew Bell.  “When I opened it and saw the date I knew we had something special on our hands.
“There is no doubt that this is one of the rarest whisky miniatures ever to go to auction.  It is a fantastic example in its own right but having the letter of authenticity will give it an extra edge when it goes under the hammer.” 
In addition to the Springbank miniature, the 500 lots in the sale will include a host of extremely rare examples of Scotland’s liquid gold, and McTears estimate that the auction could generate sales in excess of £100k.
Some of the higher profile examples include a bottle of Highland Park reserve from 1902 which is expected to go for between £1800 and £2000 while a Laphroaig Reserve from 1903 could get a similar price.
Following on from its smaller, but rarer, sibling, a full bottle of 50 year old Springbank could fetch £2200.
“In these troubled financial times it is interesting to note the number of people who are investing in whisky,” added Andrew.  “We have seen a marked rise in the number of collectors buying rare single malts at auction and we would estimate that there were approximately £20 million worth of sales globally last year. 
“If you look at auction prices over the past few years the figures show a better return on investment than many other sectors.  I would say that investors are not interested in the bottom end of the market but are looking at the more expensive and potentially expensive bottles.”
All the big name distilleries will be represented in the auction with fine examples of The Macallan, The Dalmore, Talisker, Highland Park and Bowmore going under the hammer.  There will also be a selection of more obscure bottlings including a Bell’s Decanter to celebrate the Queen Mothers 90th birthday and a specially commissioned Scottish Parliament single malt decanter.
“There is no other product in the world which better encapsulates the essence of Scotland than whisky so it is fantastic to have such a fine collection of the water of life going to auction in the year of Homecoming,” added Andrew Bell.
“McTears has a reputation for selling some of the finest whiskies in the world and I am delighted to say that our Homecoming auction will keep that reputation intact.”
Anyone looking for more details on the auction or who would like advice on the sale, valuation or purchase of whisky, should log on to http://www.mctears.co.uk/ or contact Andrew Bell on 0141 810 2880.
The Homecoming Scotland Rare & Collectable Whisky Auction will take place at McTears Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, Meiklewood Gate, Glasgow on Wednesday 13th May at 10.30am. 

Ends

Issued on behalf of McTears Auctioneers by Wave PR.  For further information or photographs contact Chris Bell Tel: 0141 303 8390, Mobile: 07974 692 330.

Chris Bell, Director
Wave PR Ltd,141 St James Road
Glasgow, G4 0LT
www.wavepr.co.uk
T  0141-303-8390