Two Rare Willett Distillery Bottles Signed by Pope Francis

To Headline Sotheby’s “Whisky & Whiskey” Auction This December

Live Auction in New York 7 December

“Bringing these exceptional Willett Distillery bottles to market is a privilege and a unique moment in collecting. Each bottle embodies a blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and spirituality that transcends the typical collector’s item, making them especially meaningful additions for those who value both the artistry of fine spirits and the spirit of giving.”

Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s Whiskey Specialist

NEW YORK, 20 NOVEMBER 2024 – A rare opportunity awaits collectors and enthusiasts as Sotheby’s New York brings an extraordinary duo of Willett Distillery bourbon bottles signed by Pope Francis to its upcoming Whisky & Whiskey auction on 7 December. Each bottle, estimated between $1,000 – $10,000, commemorates significant milestones in the Catholic Church, offering collectors a rare chance to acquire items that hold important historical and spiritual significance. 

The first bottle, marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election as the 266th Pope, displays the papal Coat of Arms. This 10-year-aged bourbon, distilled from Willett’s original recipe with a proof of 132.6, was produced in an extremely limited run of 149 bottles and is signed by Pope Francis. 

The second bottle celebrates the upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” and features the Official Jubilee sticker. Aged 10 years and bottled at 144.2 proof, this special edition is rarer still, with only 59 bottles made, and bottle number one is signed by Pope Francis. 

Proceeds from the sale will benefit Southeast Texas Hospice in Orange, TX; Maxwell Street Legal Immigration Clinic in Lexington, KY; Diocese of Lexington – Preaching/Giving Ministry of Fr. Jim Sichko; and PAWs 4 the Cause in Lexington, KY, extending the charitable spirit behind these one-of-a-kind bottles.

Fr. Jim Sichko, Diocesan Evangelist and Papal Missionary of Mercy, commented: “We’re honored to bring these unique bottles to auction, not only for their rarity but for the good they’ll do. Each bottle marks an important moment in the church’s history, and we hope collectors will appreciate them as symbols of tradition and generosity, supporting causes that reflect Pope Francis’ values of compassion.”

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury 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 70 categories which 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. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits achieved a record total of $159 million in 2023, surpassing the previous record total of $158 million in 2022. Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private collection of wine 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 the highest total ever achieved for a charity wine auction (Hospices de Beaune).

 *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.

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 apps for iOS and Android.

The Grand Whisky Auction NOVEMBER 2024 AUCTION ENDS TONIGHT!

The auction closes TONIGHT Tuesday 26th November from 9:00 pm (GMT)

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Are you interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

📞 +44 (0)1463 210 427

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Whisky Auctioneer November Auction

22.11 – 02.12.24

Now Live: November Auction

A warm welcome to our November auction. Featuring over 8,500 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

This month, we are thrilled to feature The Macallan TIME : SPACE 84 year old, making its global auction debut at Whisky Auctioneer. This extraordinary dual-chamber vessel contains two remarkable whiskies: an 84-year-old vintage distilled in 1940 – the oldest ever released by Macallan – and a 2018 vintage bottled in 2024, representing the distillery’s future.

Alongside this, we’re thrilled to present standout lots such as the Old Malt Cask bottlings of Port Ellen and Ardbeg, the Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli, the Ardbeg Special Liqueur by D&J MacEwen from the 1950s, and remarkable old and rare Japanese whiskies from Karuizawa and Kawasaki – plus many more.

Browse the highlights below for more insights and start bidding today!

 Macallan TIME : SPACE 84 Year Old

Legendary Old Malt Cask bottlings for the Plowed Society (Port Ellen & Ardbeg)

Celtic Heartlands Collaboration Bottles (Bowmore 1968, Macallan 1969, Bunnahabhain 1966)

Karuizawa The Golden Age of Showa

Rare and Vintage Glenfiddich (Glenfiddich 1958 Private Vintage, 1955 Private Vintage, 1974 Rare Collection & 19 Rare Collection)

The Grand Whisky Auction is now LIVE!

The auction closes on Tuesday 26th November from 9:00pm (GMT)

________________________________

Are you interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

📞 +44 (0)1463 210 427

📧 sales@tgwa.com

NOVEMBER 2024 AUCTION ENDS TONIGHT!

Not long now! There is still time to bid on your favourite bottles at Click Whisky Auctions, including this stunning bottle of Whyte & Mackay. Released in 2019 to mark the 175th anniversary of the company as part of a promotional competition with only 1,500 bottles of the 50 year old blend produced. The whisky itself was blended using a combination of different Casks that included an ex-30 year old Sherry Butt, a first fill and second fill Sherry Butt, a Bourbon Cask and Port pipes to make this an extraordinary blend.

Or how about this lovely bottle of Manager’s Dram, distilled at Lagavulin Distillery, then aged for 11 years before being bottled at natural Cask strength in 2013.

Released in 1995, the Rare Malts range consisted of high quality malts of good age including closed distilleries. Bottled at varying Cask strengths, the range was hugely popular with whisky drinkers and collectors alike. Many of the bottlings are highly regarded amongst experts, hence the reason that these bottlings are now becoming harder to find. Distilled at Glendullan Distillery in 1978, then bottled in 2005 at natural Cask strength, we think this is a cracking bottling from a highly regarded range.

Released very recently to mark the 200th anniversary of the Macallan Distillery, this beautifully presented bottle is in a circular shape, representing life’s enduring cycle and paying homage to the history and story of the distillery, as well as its age-old whisky making processes.

These are only a few of the lots in our November auction, to view more, visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 17^th November from 8pm GMT.

November 2024 Auction UPDATE!

As we reach the halfway point in this month’s auction, here are a few little belters of bottlings for you to take a closer look at, including this wonderful and incredibly rare example of malt whisky produced by Glenfarclas Distillery in the 1970’s. Bottled at 8 years old and at 105 Proof, perhaps the first incarnation of the 105 we all now know and love?

Another stunning bottle from the 1970’s is this delightful expression of the closed Inverness distillery, Glen Mhor. Distilled in 1977 then bottled 20 years later from Cask #1552 at natural Cask strength by Signatory for their highly regarded Silent Stills label.

Due to the popularity of Crawford’s Three Star, Crawford’s five Star was released later in the 1920’s. Both of these blends were thought to contain a large amount of spirit from Benrinnes Distillery. Unfortunately this blend is now discontinued. This expression from the 1950’s features a spring cap.

Let’s take a step forward to the 1970’s again with this gorgeous bottle of Highland Park. Distilled in 1976 then aged for 18 years before being drawn from single Cask #4649. Bottled in 1994 at Cask strength by renowned independent bottlers Cadenhead’s.

These are only a few of the fascinating bottles in our November auction, we have much more to enjoy, including bottles from many of your other favourite distilleries. To view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 17^th November from 8pm GMT.

Old Forester “Statesman” Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $49.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Iron Gate (CANADA) Fine Whisky Auction Ends November 11, 2024.

As the holiday season approaches, the most anticipated Fine Spirits Auction in Canada is here, offering a curated selection of rare bottles that are perfect for collectors and those looking for a truly exceptional gift. Iron Gate presents yet another beautiful catalogue with 444 lots of fine spirits. Single malt scotches, rare bourbons, fine cognacs, world whiskies and premium rums are on offer in Canada’s only national spirits auction curated for you.

Catalogue HERE

Auction runs from November 4-11, 2024. Only in Canada.  Shipping available coast to coast.

WORLD’S RAREST AND MOST COVETED JAPANESE WHISKY COLLECTION OFFERED AT BONHAMS CORNETTE DE SAINT CYR

 Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series offered with each bottle signed by Ichiro Akuto

 Very few sets of the Full “Card” Series exist in the world

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series. Estimate: €700,000 – €1,200,000.

Paris – One of the world’s rarest and most coveted collections of Japanese Whisky – the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” Series – will be offered at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris in an online sale on www.bonhams.com from 12 – 29 November 2024.

Carrying an estimate of €700,000 – €1,200,000, this celebrated collection with exceptional provenance from a prominent private collector, comprises 54 bottles representing each playing card in a full pack. Each ‘card’ was bottled from a single cask of premium whisky ranging in production years from 1985 to 2000 from the acclaimed and now closed distillery of Hanyu. Only a few sets of the Malt Full “Card” Series exist in the world with this collection being unique, as each bottle has been signed by Ichiro Akuto, the whisky-making legend of Japan.

Amayès Aouli, Bonhams’ Global Head of Wine and Spirits comments, “As a pioneer in spirits at auction, Bonhams holds multiple world records for the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” set series. We are honoured to offer this exceptionally rare collection once more. This is an incredible opportunity to acquire the most collectible of Japanese whiskies, with excellent provenance. For each bottle to be personally signed by the Master Distiller, Ichiro Akuto, makes this set truly unique.”

Clément Gaillard, Bonhams’ Specialist in Spirits added, “With only a finite number produced, it is one of the most sought-after whisky collections across the globe. To own this series, is to own an extraordinary piece of whisky history.” 

Bonhams sets world records

In 2015, Bonhams was the first auction house to sell the Full “Card” series, which set the world record for the most valuable Japanese whisky collection at HK$3,797,500. The legendary set then broke two new records at Bonhams in 2019 (for HK$7,192,000) and then again in 2020 when the collection made a spectacular combined total of HK$11,890,60 (US$1,520,000).

The Hanyu Distillery

Founded by Isouji Akuto, a 19^th generation descendant of a long line of sake brewers to produce Scotch-style malt whisky, the Hanyu distillery ceased production in 2000. But not before Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Isouji, stepped in to secure most of the casks of whisky left from the distillery (approximately 400). An avid whisky lover like his grandfather, Ichiro personally selected the prized amber liquid to be bottled for each ‘card’ released between 2005 and 2014, ensuring that the Hanyu legend lives on.  Read the interview with Ichiro Akuto in Bonhams Magazine here.

Sale: Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series Location: www.bonhams.com

Date: 12-29 November 2024

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

NOVEMBER AUCTION NOW LIVE!

Our November 2024 Auction is now live, with some interesting bottlings to brighten up those dark winter nights, including this quirky and incredibly rare offering from Glenmorangie. Only 250 bottles were produced and gifted to employees of the company to mark the last Christmas at their premises in Leith, signalling the end of over two Hundred years at the building.

Lord of the Isles makes reference to the Norse and Gaelic rulers that ruled the Isles and parts of the Highlands of Scotland. This 25 year old expression encapsulates the theme perfectly but get your bids in, this delightful bottling is getting harder to find due the high esteem that whisky enthusiasts have for it.

Officially released as an 18 year old in 1988, This iconic range is from an era that many whisky experts and enthusiasts believe the Macallan 18 Years Old was at its best. This rare example was distilled in 1972 and bottled in 1990.

First released in 2010, Balvenie Tun 1401 was an incredibly popular small batch release due to the sheer quality of the whisky itself, thought to contain older whiskies as well as younger ones. The Casks were housed in the famous Warehouse 24 and carefully hand selected by the illustrious malt master David Stewart MBE, then married together in Tun 1401 for several months before bottling at Cask strength to produce this much revered expression. This particular small batch was matured using a combination of seven Traditional Oak Casks and seven Sherry Butts. Only 2,226 bottles were produced.

These are only a few of the fascinating bottles featured in our November auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 17^th November from 8pm GMT.