DIGESTIF — Inside Iron Gate’s September Whisky Auction

Iron Gate’s Fine Spirits Auction closed as a perfect, white glove sale. 100% of lots sold! September was the first white glove sale of 2026 and the largest catalogue to date, indicating the appetite for fine whisky in the Canadian market is strong. The programme featured exceptional rarities, including a 1964 Black Bowmore, 1966 Gordon & McPhail Rare Old from Banff Distillery, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and Pappy’s 23 Year Old Family Reserve.

View the results here: Iron Gate September Fine Spirits Auction

Key Facts & Figures:

• 100% sell through rate. A genuine white-glove sale.
• Across lots, 21% hammered above the high estimate, 59% within the estimate range, and 20% below the low estimate.
• Canada-wide bidder participation, from eight provinces and one territory.
• Number of auction registrants up 10% and number of active bidders up 20% from the June 2026 auction.
• Top performing lots include:
  • Lot 223 – Laphroaig 10 Year Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky, which hammered 247% above the high estimate;
  • Lot 95 – 1974 Scott’s Selection Glenglassaugh Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky Natural Cask Strength, hammering 175% above the high estimate;
  • Lot 284 – 1968 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged over 30 Years has the most bids with 23.
• Older vintage bottlings of Macallan, Highland Park, and Bowmore also performed well, indicating that classic distilleries are still very much the focus of collectors.
• Lots with the lowest number of bids coincided with lots with the lowest value. This indicates a general preference towards more premium whiskies. However, it also reveals that it may be a good place to look for value or for beginners looking to sample a wide variety of single malt scotches and vintage blended whiskies.

Lot 35 – 1969 Celtic Trilogy 32 Year Old Celtic Football Club

From Ajay and the entire Iron Gate team, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to our consignors, bidders, and all participants in the auction. The success in the September sale makes us extremely optimistic for the November’s auction. The consignment window is now open for the February and April’s 2027 sale. If you are looking to consign spirits in a future, we recommend reaching out to ajay@irongate.wine at your earliest opportunity.