Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, on the rostrum during the sale of Whisky & Whiskey | Featuring The Wax Top Collection

NIGHTCAP TOTALS $14.3 MILLION AT SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK

Led by Karuizawa 1960 Cask #5627, “The Prototype,” at $625,000  

One of the Most Valuable Bottles of Japanese Whisky Ever Sold at Auction 

Five Nightcap Sales Achieve Multiple World Records 

NEW YORK, – Sotheby’s New York’s inaugural Nightcap, a landmark new global Wine & Spirits Festival, concluded on Saturday with a combined total of $14.3 million across five dedicated auctions. The combined result surpassed the overall pre-sale estimate of $8.8 – 12.6 million. The programme featured some of the rarest and most sought-after wines and spirits in the world, attracting collectors from more than 27 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The results build on a record first half of 2026 for Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits, which generated $49.25 million in auction sales, up 7% year on year, across 29 auctions, achieving a 94% sell-through rate and attracting bidders from 57 countries. The global collector base continues to expand, with 25% of bidders new to Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits and 28% of buyers new to the business in the first half of the year.

Key Facts & Figures:

• Nightcap: $14.3 million across five dedicated auctions (est. $8.8 – 12.6 million).
• Global participation from collectors in 27 countries.
• 97% sell-through rate.
• 62% of lots sold above their high estimates.
• Karuizawa 1960 Cask #5627, “The Prototype”: $625,000 (est. $400,000–600,000), the highest-value lot of the Nightcap programme and one of the most valuable bottles of Japanese whisky ever sold at auction.

Alongside the auctions, Nightcap featured a programme of tastings, dinners and experiences at Sotheby’s Breuer. The Nightcap Wine & Whisky Tasting welcomed more than 250 guests to sample nearly 100 wines and whiskies from leading producers and estates around the world, alongside a dedicated blind tasting experience. The programme brought together collectors, producers and enthusiasts in a new platform for discovery and connoisseurship across the world of fine wine and spirits.

 STANDOUT MOMENTS

Whisky & Whiskey | Featuring The Wax Top Collection

Live Auction | 3–18 September

Whisky & Whiskey | Featuring The Wax Top Collection totalled $2.9 million, with a 100% sell-through rate across more than 500 bottles. The sale represented the largest single collection of Willett Family Estate bottlings ever offered at auction. It also achieved the highest total for a Spirits auction ever held in New York and attracted the highest number of registrants for a Spirits sale globally.

• Karuizawa 1960 Cask #5627, “The Prototype” (est. $400,000–600,000), led both the sale and the entire Nightcap programme, realizing $625,000. One of the rarest bottles of Japanese whisky ever offered at auction, it was hand-filled by Osami Uchibori, Karuizawa’s final Master Distiller, on 20 December 2012. It is one of only two bottles known to have been drawn and hand-bottled directly from the cask prior to its commercial release.
• Karuizawa 1970 Cask #6017 “The Last Masterpiece,” realized $68,750 (est. $60,000 – 90,000).
• The Macallan Select Reserve 52 Year Old 1946 (est. $8,000 – 12,000) achieved $27,500, over three times its low estimate.
• The Very Olde St. Nick Estate Reserve Vintage Collection more than doubled its pre-sale estimate to achieve $21,250 (est. $10,000-15,000). The one-of-a-kind lot comprised three large-format bottles of Very Olde St. Nick 17 Year Old, presented in a one-litre format for the first and only time. The bottles were housed in a reclaimed chestnut wood case created exclusively for the auction. Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Big Wave Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Half Moon Bay, California, which provides lifelong housing, day programmes, and a supportive community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For full results and further details, please visit the sale page.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building in New York City, featuring Marcel, 945 Madison Avenue – a new continental restaurant designed by Roman & Williams.

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

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