Longmorn 1968 SMWS 38 Year Old 7.39

In an exciting development, Whisky Auctioneer, the leading global online spirits auction platform, is set to feature several compelling Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America US import bottlings in its May 2024 Auction, currently live and ending on Monday June 10th, 2024. These offerings include releases from esteemed whisky brands like Macallan, promising a true exploration of Scotch whisky preferences in the US market. Other exciting bottlings include:

• Whisky from lost grain distilleries including Caledonian, Cambus & Carsbridge
• Rarely seen among independent bottlers – releases including whisky from Glenkinchie, Glencraig, Cragganmore, Glenmorangie, Kilchoman & Talisker

More info on the bottlings available can be found here.

We also have an interview carried out with Alan Shayne, the founder of Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America where his insights can provide valuable context on the society’s history, its evolution into a global entity, and further details on the exclusive bottlings showcased in the May auction.

An early version of the Society Logo

Alan Shayne founded the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America (SMWS) in the US, bringing the international private membership club to American shores and with it some of Scotland’s finest whisky. We sat down with him to discuss that journey…

First of all, can you tell us a bit about SMWS?

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a prestigious, international, private membership club, whose members are discerning enthusiasts of the finest single cask, cask strength, single malt Scotch whisky.

How did you first encounter SMWS?

My first encounter with the Society was in 1993 when an industry associate introduced me to Mr. Philip “Pip” Hills, the founder of the Society.

There are many whisky clubs in the US and throughout the world – what drew you to the SMWS in particular?

At the time there were no other “whisky clubs” in the USA. I was particularly attracted to the Society because they were the real thing! They were a members’ club that one was pleased to pay to join, because of the quality of the whisky and the ethos and integrity of the organization.

How did the SMWS start in the USA? Was there initially big interest or was it a challenge?

We launched the Society in America, with the understanding that US regulations regarding beverage alcohol were challenging, in respect to offering our whiskies to members only. Having figured it out with the help of the best liquor attorneys, I inherently knew this was a great opportunity. When the Forbes Magazine family heard of what I was doing and we formed a strategic alliance. They published articles about us, which resulted in a demand for memberships, beginning the journey. The challenges were many, however we overcame them, membership grew and we created the first national series of whisky tastings of Single Malt Scotch throughout the country, The Whisky Extravaganza, focusing on the entire category. Naturally, many attendee’s chose to join The Society.

How has that evolved today?

Although I no longer serve in a business capacity with the Society, I’m pleased to participate in Society members events . The Society continues to grow and now offers its members, fine spirits at cask strength, from
other categories of distilled spirits.

How is whisky selected for SMWS America? Are there trends we wouldn’t be familiar with in Scotland?

The Society selects casks in the original manner, by our tasting committee, who blindly tastes the malts we have access to. Once selected, for the most part, a portion of those casks are offered to each branch throughout the world.

Do you have a most memorable whisky moment?

Fortunately, I’ve had a great many whisky moments. The one I recall most vividly was when Pip invited me to visit The Society in the UK. My first stop was London, to attend a members tasting at the Plaza Athenea. I t blew my mind to see members interactions with each other and then purchase bottles of the tasted whiskies at the event. We then traveled to various coastal distilleries on a very old trawler. After enjoying a tour of the Springbank Distillery in Campbelltown and a lovely dinner at local pub afterward, we headed back to the boat. There was a raging storm in progress and I suggested we sleep dockside on the boat. Having been overruled, we set sail for Islay. It was a very scary experience, so I went below deck and consumed a good amount of a Society Caol Ila bottling, then passing out. Awakening at daybreak, I put on a pot of strong coffee, went above deck and encountered a cold and shivering crew. I sent them below, and maneuvered the boat to the harbor at Port Ellen. We docked the boat and enjoyed a warm, welcoming traditional Scottish breakfast and went on to visit a number of Islay’s foremost distilleries.

What do you find most exciting in the world of whisky at the moment?

The most exciting thing about whisky today is that those new to experience, are still attracted to the category despite the continual changes that occur. American Bourbon, over the past 20 years has been quite the rage on our side of the ocean. I’ve been in the industry for over half a century and changes are constant. The goal of whisky enthusiasts is to sample expressions from all the categories. Yet somehow, a great many will revert back to Scotch whiskies, as their flavors, unique characteristics, and cultural connections remain most alluring. Whisky is far more than a drink, it’s an opportunity for camaraderie, to connect and share experiences with likeminded people.

An incredible selection of SMWS US import bottles are available in our May 2024 Auction, offering the chance to explore US taste in Scotch whisky.

We are live!

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Bid on Rare Whiskies!

Auction closes from 8pm (BST) Tuesday 11th June

www.speysidewhiskyauctions.co.uk

Springbank – Local Barley

Crafted with care and tradition, this exceptional whisky celebrates the essence of Campbeltown. Made from 100% local barley, it offers a unique taste of the region’s heritage. Don’t miss out on experiencing the rich, complex flavours that only Springbank can deliver.

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Since our inception we have made every effort to keep our rates as low as we can, however given the increasing cost of doing business in the current economy we will soon be making an increase to our Buyer’s Commission rate.

From next month in our 157th auction starting Friday the 5th of July we will be raising our Buyer’s Commission rate from 10% to 12.5% .

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PROVENANCE AT ITS BEST: A HISTORIAN’S COLLECTION OF AMERICAN WHISKEY

View Catalogue

One bottle of Willett 25 Years Old Black Wax, estimated at $15,000 – 20,000, and one bottle of Willett Family Estate 21 Years Old Gold Wax, estimated at $12,000 – 15,000.

Boston – Bonhams Skinner will offer a collection of rare American whiskey boasting exceptional provenance and carefully procured over the last 25 years during its Distinguished Distilleries: Rare Spirits sale from June 4 – 18. The collection hails from Dr. Paul S. Hirsch – an award-winning writer and historian – who developed an effective system for discovering vintage and rare bottles of whiskey and became a leading authority with a robust community around collecting outstanding spirits. The 47-bottles on offer, boasting labels from a number of important distilleries, exemplify Hirsch’s dedication to seeking out the best of the best.

While recovering from an accident in 2000 which left him an amputee, Paul stumbled across a bottle of Old Weller Original 107 Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey at a local liquor store. This discovery turned a quest for American whiskies into a passion that helped heal his body and recuperate his mind. Interested in figuring out how many more gems were hiding in plain sight, Paul utilized his skills as a historian to develop a system for finding these treasures. He posited that liquor stores in areas that had been prosperous in the decades following World War II, but which had sadly since faltered, began pulling their high-end American whiskies from shelves in the late 1960s to replace them with more popular spirits like vodka and blended Scotch.

While earning a PhD in history, Paul traveled to many historical archives around the US and wherever he went, he hunted dusty and modern bottles of bourbon and rye that had been taken off the shelves. He learned to recognize tax stamps, bottles, and the evolving labels buried in the back of shelves or in liquor store basements. Sometimes these efforts yielded a stash of post-war whiskies or more modern treasures. Paul combined his historical expertise and passion for American whiskey into a small business, Barrel Strength Consulting, and hosted tastings and classes throughout southern California. He also helped educate bar and restaurant employees about the history of American whiskies and sold bottles to collectors from Manhattan to Los Angeles.

“The hunt for American whiskies provided my second education in history and a primary education in generosity and hospitality. As a disabled American, my mobility was, and remains, limited, but finding wonderful bottles of whiskey enabled me to host tastings, dinner parties, and post-meal sipping sessions that sometimes ran until morning,” Paul reflected. “My wonderful friends came to my apartment and sampled hundreds of bottles with me. In the process, I learned that the hunt was just a small part of being a whiskey geek; the most lovely and indelible experiences were shared with the people that helped me heal and advance. Pouring the whiskey, I’d discovered, was my way of thanking my friends, of bringing us closer together, and of celebrating or mourning the peaks and troughs of life.”

The highlight of Hirsch’s collection and found using his system is an impressively aged Willett Family Estate 25 Years Old Bourbon with a black wax, estimated at $15,000 – 20,000. Known the world over for producing some of the finest Bourbon and Rye in Kentucky, Willett has remained a family owned and operated company since its inception in 1936. The bottle on offer is part of the Willett family’s Private Barrel Selection – the only label of its kind in existence – and stands as their flagship Bourbon, the longest aged of any product they’ve made in their almost 100-year history. This unique bottle was specifically selected and bottled for the California retailer, BevMo, and has been colloquially nicknamed “Chocolate Monster” for its rich, hedonistic style.

The sale will also feature another bottle from the Willett Family Estate – a 21 Years Old Bourbon with a gold wax, estimated at $12,000 – 15,000. This particular bottle of wheated Bourbon, selected and sold by California retailer K&L Wine Merchants, is widely believed in the collecting community to have come from the Stitzel-Weller distillery. While Willett has neither confirmed nor denied that, if it’s true, it is one of the last bottlings from the original Stitzel-Weller stocks.

“Working with people like Paul is one of the true joys of our profession. His vision, historical approach to collecting and genuine love of the product allowed him to find and drink whiskies that, put frankly, are simply no longer found in the marketplace,” commented Louis Krieger, Global Business Director for Bonhams Wine & Spirits. “Paul has opened the doors of his vault to the collecting community and it’s not an overstatement to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to acquire some of the rarest, and most highly sought after, bottles in the world.”

Additional highlights of the collection include:

• A bottle of Karuizawa 31 Years Old from 1981, estimated at $10,000 – 15,000.
• A bottle of W.L. Weller 12 Years Old Single Barrel, estimated at $3,000 – 5,000.
• A bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 Years Old, estimated at $3,000 – 4,000.
• A bottle of William Larue Weller from 2006, estimated at $3,000 – 4,000.

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.

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

Welcome everyone to our now live 156th auction!  As we breenge into the fabled Scottish summer where we can look forward to a whole week of sunshine (in a good year), this is most definitely the time to start stocking up on your favourite tipples.  And to do this you need look no further than the fantastic selection of drams we have on offer this month from Japanese and Australian rarities to Scottish stalwarts we have every base covered, so without further ado here are a few highlights we have in the auction this month.

Littlemill 1976 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary with Matching Mini 5cl

Designed in collaboration with Austrian photographer, Stefan Sappert, the Littlemill 250th takes its inspiration from Stefan’s cameras and lens, with the decanter and metalware crafted by long-term partners, Glencairn. Housed in a bespoke wooden cabinet this expression contains one of 250 limited edition silver-on-glass photo plates produced especially for this release. And with a 5cl miniature accompanying the full bottle there is the opportunity to taste the deliciousness without compromising the integrity of the main show.

Sullivans Cove 2000 19 Year Old Single Cask #HH0541

Next up is an Antipodean classic in the making, the Sullivan’s 2000 19 Year Old Single Cask #HH0541.  Nestled away in Hobart Bay, Tasmania, Sullivans Cove produce some of the finest whisky in Australia using traditional methods and wholly Tasmanian ingredients.  Given the climate and the thirsty angels which come with such heat Sullivans Cove have done a remarkable job of keeping this beauty safe for almost 2 decades and have produced one of the oldest and rarest Australian whiskies ever to come to market.  Their bottlings certainly command a premium, but a justifiable one considering the quality of their spirit and the relatively tiny amounts they produce.

Macallan Distil Your World New York Edition

Now we have a fine expression from a Scottish heavyweight of distilling, this is the Macallan Distil Your World New York Edition.  Their Whisky Maker Polly Logan, in collaboration with the Roca brothers of El Celler de Can Roca fame, explored the mastery behind New York and in doing so have created an innovative single malt that embodies and celebrates the city as a dynamic metropolis of art, creativity and visionary talent.  Aged in both European and American oak casks this dark and rich dram comes in at a very respectable 49.5% ABV and is a fine addition to the popular Distil Your World series.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Sherry Cask #5437

Finally, we have an excellent bottling of undoubtable rarity, this is the Karuizawa 30 Year Old Sherry Cask #5347.  This is the Sherry half of a two-bottle release from Karuizawa which was first unveiled at The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky Show in 2014, the other bottle being the Bourbon cask #8897 which features a mirror-image of the striking label design.  So, if you have that one this is your chance to complete the set.  Aged for an incredible 3 decades this sherry monster would take pride of place in even the most exclusive of Japanese whisky collections.

As well these beauties we also have a wide range of drams to suit every palette or pocket, so time to dive into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

May 2024 Auction // 31.05 – 10.06.2024

Now Live: May Auction

May 2024 Auction

A warm welcome to our May auction! Featuring over 7,000 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles. We are very excited to present whisky from all around the world this month – from legendary bourbon to new releases from Norway and an incredible selection of Scotch including some real gems from Islay.

SMWS US Import Selection

Bottles 1- 20 of Bivrost: The Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology Final Edition, Midgard

Gordon & MacPhail CASK

Signatory Vintage Port Ellen

Boone’s Knoll 1974 16 Year Old Straight Bourbon

Feis Ile Bottle Collection

We know many of our customers will be attending this year’s Feis Ile on Islay next week and for anyone looking to sell any of their bottles in our upcoming auction going live a week tomorrow (31st May) we are arranging a bottle collection at Kennacraig ferry port on Wednesday the 29th May between 9am and 6pm.

Getting your bottles in to the first available auction as we all know is often the best way to achieve the highest prices, and we guarantee that any bottles dropped with us on this day will make the live auction two days later.

For anyone interested please reply HERE for more details.

Our May Auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until 3pm (BST) Sunday 26^th May 2024.

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!

Yamazaki – 55 Year Old (2021 Release)

Bowmore – ‘Black Bowmore’ 30 Year Old (1964) 2nd Edition

Glenlochy – 49 Year Old (1952) Old Malt Cask

Macallan – 1967 (Down To Work) Peter Blake Anecdotes of Ages

Springbank – 32 Year Old (1971)

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.com.

HISTORIC MACALLAN WHISKY FEATURING BLENDS FROM THE 1920S LEADS BONHAMS FINEST WHISKY SALE

From the distillery’s golden age 

The Macallan Anniversary Malt-50 year old-1928 whisky. Estimate: £50,000-75,000

Edinburgh– An exceptionally rare and collectable Macallan Anniversary Malt-50 year old-1928 whisky stars in Bonhams Finest Whisky and Spirits Sale from 20-29 May at bonhams.com. Produced from just three casks between 1926 and 1928 and bottled in 1983, this much sought-after bottle represents only one of 500 that were ever produced. The Anniversary Malt-50 year old-1928 release is offered with an estimate of £50,000-75,000.

Georgia Porteous, Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh said, “The Macallan Anniversary Malt- 50 year old-1928 stands out for its rarity, quality and great age. Very few of this calibre have ever come on the market. Crafted only a decade after the First World War, this Anniversary Malt is truly a piece of history.”

Produced during the golden age of Macallan under the inspirational leadership of Janet “Nettie” Harbinson, who crafted one of the most prized whiskies ever to be sold at auction (The Macallan 1926), this particular bottle of Macallan Anniversary Malt whisky comes with its original wooden presentation case and leather straps.

The Macallan Anniversary Malt-50 year old-1928 whisky. Estimate: £50,000-75,000

Other highlights in the sale from The Macallan distillery include:

• The Macallan-1951, distilled 20th December 1951. Matured only in Sherry Wood. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. Casks #1541 and #1552. One of 632 bottles. In original presentation case. 1 bottle. Estimate: £15,000-20,000.

• The Macallan Anniversary Malt-25 year old-1962, specially bottled for British Aerospace PLC by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. In original wooden presentation case. 1 bottle. Estimate: £3,000-4,000.

• The Macallan Private Eye, selected by Whisky Maker F. A. Newlands at The Macallan Distillery, bottled to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Private Eye. Includes cask number 1580, bonded 1961.Bottle 4839 of 5000. 1 bottle. Estimate: £2,000-3,000.

Sale: Finest Whisky & Spirits Location: bonhams.com Date: 20-29 May 2024

Bonhams 

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. 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

SOTHEBY’S TO HOLD INAUGURAL SPIRITS AUCTION IN GENEVA

OPEN FOR BIDDING FROM 20 MAY TO 3 JUNE

ROYAL SALUTE TIME CHAMBER

“For decades, we have had the great privilege of bringing to auction many of the world’s most prestigious wine collections sourced from private Swiss collectors, and it is a great honour to hold this auction in Geneva, the homeland of so many rare bottles that have enriched the lives of wine collectors around the world. With this exciting, new, long-awaited initiative, we aim to provide wines and spirits sellers in Switzerland with the greatest access to the global market, and buyers from all around the world the ability to acquire some of the rarest bottles.”

NICK PEGNA, GLOBAL HEAD OF WINE & SPIRITS, SOTHEBY’S

For more than fifty years, Sotheby’s has been offering the finest wines and spirits, first in London, then New York and subsequently Hong Kong. In 2021, the company expanded its presence in Continental Europe, launching a regular series of successful sales in France, including the prestigious Hospices de Beaune charity auction. Now, Sotheby’s is set to present its debut auction of wine and spirits in Switzerland. Comprising 43 lots carrying a combined estimate in the region of 550,000 CHF, Legends I The Inaugural Wine and Spirit Sale I Geneva will be open for bidding from 20 May to 3 June.

Royal Salute Forces of Nature by Kate MccGwire 53 Year Old

The sale also highlights a shared culture of appreciation for tradition, quality, and the finer things in life with a desirable selection of significant whisky and Cognac. Whisky highlights include two of the most limited bottles of Royal Salute ever produced, released as part of ‘The Art of Wonder’ pinnacle collection. Designed in collaboration with respected British artists Kate MccGwire and Conrad Shawcross, these rare pieces were both bottled at over 50 years of age and each takes inspiration from blending to perfectly marry the two worlds of fine art and whisky with the bottles either being presented alongside sculptures or even becoming sculptures themselves.

Please see below for a selection of highlights. View full catalogue here.

Royal Salute Time Chamber by Conrad Shawcross 53 Year Old, 1 bottle, est. 100,000-150,000 CHF

Royal Salute Forces of Nature by Kate MccGwire 53 Year Old, 1 bottle, est. 90,000-140,000 CHF

About Sotheby’s Wine

Founded in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s leading destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s facilitates access to and ownership of exceptional works of art and luxury goods through auction and immediate purchase channels, including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by a state-of-the-art technology platform and a network of specialists covering 40 countries and 70 categories, including Contemporary Art, Modern & Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Art, Jewellery, Watches, Wine & Spirits, Design, as well as Collector 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.

* 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.