ULF BUXRUD’S RARE MALTS WHISKY COLLECTION
GOES TO AUCTION
Ulf Buxrud, renowned collector, connoisseur, author and leading educator in the whisky industry will exclusively offer his complete personal collection of Diageo’s ultra-collectible Rare Malts Selection, in a dedicated auction hosted by global market leaders Whisky Auctioneer. The Rare Malts Selection is one of the most highly regarded whisky collections in the world and its provenance makes this an unmissable opportunity for whisky collectors around the world.
Buxrud has been at the forefront of the whisky world for over five decades and is perhaps best known in the industry for authoring his definitive book on the Rare Malts Selection in 2016, Rare Malts: Facts, Figures and Taste. The book provides a historical account of this legendary series of malt whiskies demonstrating Ulf as an expert authority on the collection.
The auction, running from 9 to 13 December, will feature over 100 expressions from the acclaimed Rare Malts Selection, including complete verticals from legendary distilleries such as Port Ellen and Glenury Royal which are no longer producing liquid. It also features export editions which were bottled exclusively for the U.S. and South African markets.
Ulf Buxrud, said:
“It is a momentous occasion for me to see my complete Rare Malts collection come to auction. The series is one of the most iconic whisky series in the world and I am very fortunate to have tasted every expression. It was my admiration for these whiskies that set me onto a journey of research that led me to authoring my first whisky book.
“I am very excited to unveil my collection in partnership with Whisky Auctioneer allowing future whisky lovers and lost distillery enthusiasts across the globe the opportunity to get hold of these extremely rare bottles.”
Earlier this year Whisky Auctioneer achieved a record-price for a Rare Malts Selection bottle in their dedicated Brora Auction. The 1972 Rare Malt 22-year-old 60.02% sold for a hammer price £20,500, smashing the pre-auction estimate by over £8,000.
Joe Wilson, Head of Auction Content at Whisky Auctioneer said:
“Selling a private collection is always exciting for us, but handling the sale of one from such a prominent and respected name in the world of whisky is particularly special. Ulf’s book is the most comprehensive historical account of this legendary series so it’s truly a privilege for us to bring this to auction.
“Comprising over 100 expressions this is a rare opportunity for seasoned collectors looking for just one or two more bottles to complete a series, or equally for those just starting their collections.
“We are sure that the association and provenance of Ulf Buxrud’s name will entice connoisseurs from all over the world and I am in no doubt that any bottle from this dedicated auction would delight any whisky fan.”
In addition to authoring his book on the Rare Malts Selection, Buxrud authored Japanese Whisky, Facts, Figures and Taste. An important figure in the industry, he is one of the famous Malt Maniacs and also contributed to the very first issue of The Malt Whisky Yearbook.
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About the Rare Malts Selection
As interest in single malt continued to climb in the 1990s following the newly-formed United Distillers (now Diageo) first committed play in the single malt market with the introduction of the ‘Classic Malts of Scotland’, one product of this was the historic Rare Malts Selection. This was a series of older, rarer single malt releases from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo from 1995 to 2005. The Rare Malts were predominantly from closed distilleries, each distilled in the 1960s – 1980s, aged for at least 18 years and bottled at cask strength. This powerful triptych combined with liquid scarcity set the world of whisky collecting alight.
About Whisky Auctioneer
Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at online auction. Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.
Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and geography. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare, and collectible whiskies and spirits available online. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share their passion and actively supporting their customers in their aims, whether consuming, collecting, or investing.
Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by 200% in value from spirits sales in 2020. This showcases the move that whisky collectors, investors, and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishes their leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.
The business currently sees over 100,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe. It also opened its first European base in Germany last year. The business’ founder, Iain McClune, was listed as ‘One to Watch’ in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2020 programme.
Background information on Ulf Buxrud
Ulf’s first contact with alcohol was at the European Club in the city of Abadan in Persia (now Iran), at the age of 15. It was the then famous blended whisky ‘Black & White’, which now is a bit hard to find. His infatuation was instant and intensive, and life lasting.
During a string of years his libation was the usual, traditional whisky blends, with an ice cube or a dash of soda water. Suddenly, around 1970, he found his salvation and his road. The saviour was The Macallan.
In the early 1980’s when overwhelmed with his burgeoning single malt collection, Buxrud began to utilise the techniques he had acquired in wine tasting and the descriptive lingo to systematically explore his accumulated stockpile.
By the end of the 1980s, Buxrud had developed a tasting scheme for guiding at first wine enthusiasts and close friends in Sweden, but then a large number of whisky enthusiasts. They all gained an understanding and knowledge of the world of whiskies under his pro bono tutorship. This activity was recognised and by that he received an invitation to join the illustrious ‘Keeper of the Quaich’, in 1995.
