Sotheby’s Largest Ever Spirits Auction
Over 1,000 Lots of Scotch Whisky to be Offered in New York this May
NEW YORK, 6 MAY 2022 – Advance bidding is now open on Sotheby’s largest ever spirits auction, of over 1,000 lots made up exclusively of Scotch whisky. The sale comprises two major collections: The Three Continents Collection Part IV, whose reputation precedes it, and introducing The Hollywood Collection. With a combined estimate in the region of $1.5 million, the sale will be presented live from Sotheby’s in New York on 10 May.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Head of Whisky & Spirits, North America and EMEA, said: “Recent years have seen Sotheby’s set auction records for the most valuable whisky bottle and whisky collection of all time, so it seems only fitting that we are now staging our largest ever spirits auction by volume. Spirits represent an increasingly important market for Sotheby’s, as we saw in 2021 with a record year and a 42% increase in sales. Dominating the auction line-up are Scotch whiskies, which have a global appeal and the ability to age for decades, two selling points that are inextricably linked by collectors’ desires to own the oldest and rarest bottles available on the market.”
The Hollywood Collection – so called due to its provenance after being fortuitously acquired by a Californian entrepreneur in 2008 – is truly one of the most impressive ensembles of whisky to have come to auction. A large container of East Coast and Midwest-import Scotch whisky was compiled by a US whisky broker with the intention of shipping it to Los Angeles to be sold to movie industry personnel. Actors, producers and directors were all on the recipients list for these rare bottles. With the change in the financial climate, this container of whisky set for Hollywood found itself unopened.
The Hollywood Collection consignor heard about the container and immediately drove to Los Angeles to purchase the entire collection. During the 14 years that have since elapsed, these bottles have been lovingly stored at his home in Sothern California, with many being consumed over this time – making this a collection that has not been admired simply for its impressive scale, but also one that has been consumed and enjoyed to the fullest extent.
The Three Continents Collection is the largest single owner collection of whisky ever to be offered by Sotheby’s and contained a vast collection of Scotch, American and Japanese whiskies. The 5,000 bottles from this collection have been distributed across multiple auctions, from a single owner sale that achieved over $2m at the end of 2021 to this, the fourth iteration of The Three Continents made up of exclusively Scotch Whisky bottles.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Macallan Millennium Decanter 50 Year Old 43.0 abv 1949, 1 bottle, est. $26,000-30,000 (lot 5001)
The Balvenie 50 Year Old 42.0 abv 1937, 1 bottle, est. $20,000-26,000 (lot 5298)
The Macallan Fine & Rare 37 Year Old 58.2 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $20,000-28,000 (lot 5003)
The Macallan 40 Year Old 2016 Release 43.0 abv NV, 1 bottle, est. $20,000-24,000 (lot 5015)
Bowmore 40 Year Old 42.0 abv 1955, 1 bottle, est. $18,000-24,000 (lot 5359)
The Macallan Fine & Rare 50 Year Old 50.8 abv 1952, 1 bottle, est. $18,000-22,000 (lot 5004)
Bowmore Oloroso Cask 38 Year Old 42.9 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $15,000-20,000 (lot 5376)
Bowmore White Bourbon Cask 43 Year Old 42.8 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $14,000-20,000 (lot 5384)
The Macallan Select Reserve 52 Year Old 40.0 abv 1946,1 bottle, est. $13,000-16,000 (lot 5010)
Bowmore Fino Cask 37 Year Old 49.6 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $13,000-18,000 (lot 5374)
The Macallan Over 49 Year Old 48.8 abv 1951, 1 bottle, est. $12,000-15,000 (lot 5007)
The Macallan 48.8 abv 1951, 1 bottle, est. $12,000-15,000 (lot 5009)
The Macallan Exceptional Cask 2017/ESB-9182/01 46.6 abv 1997, 1 bottle, est. $12,000-18,000 (lot 5130)
The Macallan Over 40 Year Old 54.1 abv 1961, 1 bottle, est. $10,000-15,000 (lot 5006)
Bowmore Black First Release 50.0 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $10,000-15,000 (lot 5361)
The Macallan Archival Series Folio No. 1 43.0 abv NV, 1 bottle, est. $10,000-15,000 (lot 5117)
VIEW ONLINE CATALOGUE HERE
About Sotheby’s Wine
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits hit a record $132 million in 2021, a 44% increase on 2020. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.
In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.
Launched in 2003, Uigeadail remains one of Ardbeg’s core offerings. Matured in a mix of sherry and bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength. Peppery peat, warm tar, coffee grounds, machine oil, and black pepper on the nose. The palate is complex and rich, offering orange segments sprinkled with sea salt, dark chocolate, malt, and ever-present sweet peat. Nicely balanced. Lengthy in the finish, with smoky caramel. (GS, Fall 2018) 
