March 2022 Auction // 25 March – 4 April

Now Live: March Auction

A warm welcome to our March Auction. Please take your time and browse our curated highlights below. Standing at over 8,500 lots of rare whiskies and fine spirits, this month’s auction catalogue features an exciting array of legendary expressions and intriguing curiosities.

Nc’nean Ainnir & Batch #1-10 with VIP Experience / Signed Charity Lot

Incredible Intertrade Collection

Yamazaki 1984 Single Cask #WE2005

The Macallan 1957-1962 Campbell, Hope and King​ Vertical

The Macallan 1946 Select Reserve 52 Year Old

Interested in selling in our next auction? Fill out our Seller Form today.

Sotheby’s Achieves the Most Valuable Auction of American Whiskey – Sale of Bourbon & Rye Totals $1.6 Million

NEW YORK, 21 MARCH 2022 – This weekend at Sotheby’s in New York, a sale of Bourbon & Rye Whiskey achieved $1.63 million – becoming the most valuable auction of American whiskey ever staged and doubling the pre-sale estimate.

The top lot was a bottle of Lenell’s Red Hook Rye 24 Year Old Barrell #4, which doubled its pre-sale high estimate, selling for $43,750 (lot 543). The price achieved matched the amount paid for a bottle in Sotheby’s sale of The Thoroughbred Collection in April 2021 – the company’s first American Whiskey auction – making this the most valuable bottle of Rye Whiskey ever sold at auction. In total, across all four of LeNell’s single barrel releases, only 852 bottles exist, making it not only one of the most valuable American Whiskeys ever produced, but also one of the rarest.

Sharing the top spot was a double vertical of Pappy Van Winkle from the 2020 and 2021 releases, comprising 12 bottles, which also realised $43,750 (lot 535). Other notable lots includes a bottle of Michter’s Single Barrel Bourbon 20 Year Old sold for $27,500, almost seven times its pre-sale low estimate (lot 482), and a case of six bottles of Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Year Old, which soared to $17,500, fifteen times its pre-sale low estimate (lot 606).

The sale was a resounding success, with close to 100% of the lots sold, and 75% of those lots achieving prices above their high estimates. With demand for American whiskeys invariably domestic and spread across the United States, 93% of the lots were acquired by collectors based in North America. Almost 60% of the buyers were new to Sotheby’s, and overall, 77% of the buyers were aged in their 40s or younger, and 42% were aged in their 30s or younger.

Featuring two of the most significant collections to come to the market in a single sale, the auction was led by the American Muscle Collection (lots 1 – 534), which takes its name not only from its unparalleled range of rich and robust US Bourbons and Rye Whiskeys, but also from the collector who built this significant catalogue of bottles. Rich “RJ” Gottlieb is the owner of one of the most legendary Chevrolets in existence, the 1969 “Big Red” Camaro, referred to by many as “the baddest muscle car ever”.

The second significant collection was The Three Continents Collection Part III (lots 586 – 750). These whiskeys were part of a 5,000 bottle-strong collection of Scotch and Japanese whisky as well as Bourbon and Rye from the USA that has been allocated across five Sotheby’s auctions in 2021 and 2022. This weekend’s sale exclusively contained American whiskeys from this collection.

Please refer to the sale page for individual lot results.

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.

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Pinterest | WeChat | Weibo | Youku

* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s app for iOS and Android.

Our March auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 27^th March.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 50 Year Old (Red Collection)

Highland Park – 50 Year Old (2021)

Macallan  – Peter Blake @LXXX (Eight Decades)

WhistlePig – The Boss Hog (16 2/3 Year Old & 17 Year Old)

Whisky Hammer Ukraine Fundraiser. 100% of all proceeds going to the British Red Cross Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

Raise a glass to the women who raised us

Find something really special this Mother’s Day and support our campaign for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. We’re donating £1 from the sale of every bottle in our Mother’s Day 2022 range to this amazing charity via Work for Good. Time to celebrate the wonderful women in your life this Mother’s Day – there’s something here for every mum!

Mother’s Day 2022 →

We want to see cervical cancer prevented and reduce the impact for everyone affected by cervical cell changes (abnormal cells) and cervical cancer. We do this through providing the highest quality information and support, and campaigning for excellence in cervical cancer treatment and prevention.”

For support and to find our more about Jo’s visit www.jostrust.org.uk

Find your next special dram in our new whisky arrivals. Get your hands on the latest limited-edition sherried single malt from Tamdhu, a 2015 Ben Nevis single malt from Carn Mor’s Strictly Limited series or Starward’s latest release – an Australian single malt matured in Australian red-wine casks before being finished in ex heavily-peated Islay single malt casks. 

SHOP NEW WHISKIES

ralfy review 919 Extras – Our problems with ‘batch variations’

TRIUMPH FOR OLDEST MACALLAN RED COLLECTION WHISKY AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

View the catalogue

The Macallan-78-year old. Estimate: £65,000-70,000 

Edinburgh – A bottle of one of the oldest known Macallan Scotch Whisky ever produced – The Macallan-78 year old – sold for £79,300 at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Thursday 10 March. The pinnacle of Macallan’s Red Collection, the bottle was numbered 133 out of a limited edition and came in its original oak and Bridge of Weir leather-lined presentation case. It had been estimated at £65,000-70,000. The sale made a total of £333,341 with 83% sold by lot and 89% sold by volume.

Martin Green, Bonhams Head of Whisky, said: “I am delighted by the great result achieved for this very special whisky. As expected, the bottle attracted intense bidding from collectors across the world and the excellence and rarity of the whisky are reflected in the very impressive price.”

Other highlights of the sale include:

• The Bowmore Trilogy consisting of a bottle each of Black Bowmore-42 year old -1964, bottled in 2007; White Bowmore -42 year old -1964 bottled in 2008 and Gold Bowmore-44 year old-1964 bottled in 2009. Sold for £54,900 (estimate: £45,000-55,000).

• The Macallan-40 year old. The Red Collection. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. Bottle No. 162. In original oak and Bridge Weir leather-lined presentation case. Sold for £19,520 (estimate: £15,000-18,000). 

• Dalmore-45 year old. Bottled in a Baccarat crystal decanter at Dalmore Distillery, Alness and released in 2018, the bottle retains its original presentation case and stopper and is accompanied by a booklet and outer leather carrying case. Sold for £9,760 (Estimate: £7,000-8,000).

Sale: Whisky sale Location: 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh Date: Thursday 10 March at 11 am

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and luxury. 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

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Deadline for Nonprofits to Join in the Quest to Raise Money is End of March

As part of the Distillery’s Commitment to Donate 2,022 Bottles this Year, Nonprofits Need to Register by March 31^st 

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (March 24, 2022) Buffalo Trace Distillery announced in January it would be donating 2,022 bottles of its finest whiskies in 2022 in hopes of raising record-breaking donations for nonprofits around the world. The deadline for nonprofits to register is only one week away!

Who: 501(c) (3) organizations and registered charities located around the world.

When: All entries must be received by March 31, 2022 for consideration; winning charities will be notified of their status by April 29, 2022. Bottles to selected recipients will begin shipping in May 2022 and recipients need to hold their event and report back their monies raised by Nov 30, 2022.

Where:  Interested nonprofits can register their organization here. Buffalo Trace is looking for a diverse group of charities to donate to, comprised of various audiences, locations, and impact in the community.

Why: Buffalo Trace Distillery has a history of conducting similar fundraisers, but nothing of this magnitude.  In 2019 it gave away nearly 400 bottles from its 6 Millionth Barrel, a milestone barrel commemorating the 6 millionth barrel produced since Prohibition. Those bottles raised over one million dollars for various charitable organizations.    Similar offerings ran in 2016, with over a million dollars raised, and also in 2011.  Its hope is to raise more than $2 million dollars globally with this initiative.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Lindores Abbey TWB 15th Anniversary Exclusive

2022 marks the 15th Anniversary of TheWhiskyBarrel.com and what better way to celebrate than a year of single cask distillery exclusives!

We simply could not pass on the opportunity to support our local distillery the historic Lindores Abbey in the Kingdom of Fife which makes this remarkable Oloroso sherry butt even more special.

Filled on 2nd August 2018 this cask has yielded 720 bottles at cask strength 58.9%.

In the interest of fairness, these bottles are strictly limited to 1 bottle per customer.

Buy – Lindores Abbey 2008 Single Sherry Butt >>

We, too, all feel deeply concerned about Ukraine. We appreciate the situation will be causing us all anxiety, concern or sadness.

And so, join us for a special tasting near you to raise money for those
impacted by the crisis in Ukraine. The evenings will include a 4-dram tasting led by one of our Venue Ambassadors.

100% of the ticket price will be donated to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

VARIOUS DATES AVAILABLE – SEE EVENTS PAGE FOR MORE

VIEW ALL EVENTS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street,
Edinburgh, EH6 6BZ

t: +44 131 555 2929