‘ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER WHISKIES IN THE WORLD’ AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

TWO WORLD CLASS MACALLANS LEAD WHISKY AUCTION IN EDINBURGH

A bottle of The Macallan Millennium distilled in 1949, aged for 50 years in Spanish oak sherry casks, and bottled in 1999 is a highlight of Bonhams Whisky Sale in Edinburgh on 7 June. It comes in a Caithness glass decanter accompanied by a stopper, and in its own fitted oak presentation case.  It is estimated at £15,000-17,000.

With a taste described as Christmas cake style fruit, The Macallan Millennium is considered the greatest aged Macallan whisky of them all and, at 900 bottles, one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world.  In 1949, the Speyside distillery still used its own traditional malting floors, heating the air to dry the fermented barley and turn it into malt. Facing a post-war shortage of coal, they solved their fuel problem by adding more peat than usual to the mix. Connoisseurs can detect an extra hint of peat smoke in The Macallan Millennium to this day.

The sale also features a crystal decanter of Duncan Taylor Macallan-42 year old estimated at £12,000-15,000. Distilled at the Macallan Distillery in 1969, it was bottled by the acclaimed producer Duncan Taylor of Speyside and is part of the Duncan Taylor The Rarest Collection. The decanter is housed in a presentation case made from the oak cask in which the whisky matured.

Bonhams whisky specialist Martin Green said, “These two Macallans are among the finest whiskies to come to auction in recent times. The reputation of both is justifiably very high among collectors. This is reflected in the high estimates and the decanters will, I am sure, be keenly sought after.”

THE WHISKY SALE

Bonhams, 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh E2
7 June 2017, 11am
Specialist: Martin Green, Bonhams Whisky Specialist

NOTES 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers of fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with sales also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.