EXTREMELY RARE BLACK BOWMORE ASTON MARTIN DB5-31 YEAR OLD EXCELS AT BONHAMS WHISKYSALE

View the catalogue: Bonhams : The Old, the Rare and the Only an extraordinary single owner collection of Whisky Part 1

Black Bowmore Aston Martin DB5-31 year old-1964 sold for £115,900

London – An extremely rare bottle of Black Bowmore Aston Martin DB5-31 year old-1964 sold for £115,900 at The Old, The Rare and The Only: an extraordinary single-owner collection of rare Whisky sale Part 1 at Bonhams in London on Wednesday 13 April. It had been estimated at £75,000-85,000. 

Diego Lanza, Bonhams Senior Whisky specialist in London said: “Decanter 19 out of only 27, this legendary Bowmore vintage was first bottled in 1995. Renowned for its unparalleled taste, it was re-bottled in 2020 and presented in a decanter that incorporates a genuine Aston Martin DB5 piston.”

The bottle featured in one of the most exciting and comprehensive collections of rare Whisky to appear on the market for many years. The private single-owner collection took more than 20 years to assemble and included some of the most desirable and rarest bottles ever to appear at auction. Part II of the sale will take place on Wednesday 8th June and will offer a further selection of some of the rarest and most desirable bottles of single malt Whiskies.

Other highlights of the 13 April sale included:

• The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages-1967. The third collaboration between the Speyside distillery and world-famous pop artist, Sir Peter Blake, was designed to celebrate The Macallan’s long history and Sir Peter’s prestigious career. Each bottle bears a label with artwork by Sir Peter, which is a replica of the label on the bottle held in The Macallan archives. Sold for £42,700 (estimate: £35,000-40,000).

• Ardbeg Double Barrel-1974. Two bottles from a limited edition of 250 pairs. Presented in an original bespoke leather-bound gun case made by Purdey & Sons, the pair come with eight engraved sterling silver drinking cups. Sold for £23,180 (estimate £20,000-25,000).

• The Balvenie-50 year old. A marriage of five fifty-year-old casks hand selected by Malt Master David Stewart, The Balvenie Distillery. Bottled on 23/04/2019, it comes in an original handcrafted wooden presentation case by Sam Chinnery. Sold for £19,250 (estimate: £18,000-20,000).

• Mortlach-75 year old-1939. The Generations range by Gordon & MacPhail, showcases some of the longest-matured Scotch whisky ever bottled.  This 75-year-old Mortlach was the third release in the series. Bottled in 2014 from a single First-Fill Sherry Butt, it was filled in November 1939, just two months into World War II. Sold for £18,300 (estimate: £15,000-18,000).

• Glenfarclas 60-year-old. Bottled 2014, it was one of 360 bottles. Sold for £15,860 (estimate: £14,000-16,000).

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewellery, watches, wine and whisky. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com