Sotheby’s Achieves the Most Valuable Auction of American Whiskey – Sale of Bourbon & Rye Totals $1.6 Million

NEW YORK, 21 MARCH 2022 – This weekend at Sotheby’s in New York, a sale of Bourbon & Rye Whiskey achieved $1.63 million – becoming the most valuable auction of American whiskey ever staged and doubling the pre-sale estimate.

The top lot was a bottle of Lenell’s Red Hook Rye 24 Year Old Barrell #4, which doubled its pre-sale high estimate, selling for $43,750 (lot 543). The price achieved matched the amount paid for a bottle in Sotheby’s sale of The Thoroughbred Collection in April 2021 – the company’s first American Whiskey auction – making this the most valuable bottle of Rye Whiskey ever sold at auction. In total, across all four of LeNell’s single barrel releases, only 852 bottles exist, making it not only one of the most valuable American Whiskeys ever produced, but also one of the rarest.

Sharing the top spot was a double vertical of Pappy Van Winkle from the 2020 and 2021 releases, comprising 12 bottles, which also realised $43,750 (lot 535). Other notable lots includes a bottle of Michter’s Single Barrel Bourbon 20 Year Old sold for $27,500, almost seven times its pre-sale low estimate (lot 482), and a case of six bottles of Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Year Old, which soared to $17,500, fifteen times its pre-sale low estimate (lot 606).

The sale was a resounding success, with close to 100% of the lots sold, and 75% of those lots achieving prices above their high estimates. With demand for American whiskeys invariably domestic and spread across the United States, 93% of the lots were acquired by collectors based in North America. Almost 60% of the buyers were new to Sotheby’s, and overall, 77% of the buyers were aged in their 40s or younger, and 42% were aged in their 30s or younger.

Featuring two of the most significant collections to come to the market in a single sale, the auction was led by the American Muscle Collection (lots 1 – 534), which takes its name not only from its unparalleled range of rich and robust US Bourbons and Rye Whiskeys, but also from the collector who built this significant catalogue of bottles. Rich “RJ” Gottlieb is the owner of one of the most legendary Chevrolets in existence, the 1969 “Big Red” Camaro, referred to by many as “the baddest muscle car ever”.

The second significant collection was The Three Continents Collection Part III (lots 586 – 750). These whiskeys were part of a 5,000 bottle-strong collection of Scotch and Japanese whisky as well as Bourbon and Rye from the USA that has been allocated across five Sotheby’s auctions in 2021 and 2022. This weekend’s sale exclusively contained American whiskeys from this collection.

Please refer to the sale page for individual lot results.

About Sotheby’s Wine

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare 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 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits hit a record $132 million in 2021, a 44% increase on 2020. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection 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 auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.

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* 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.

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 app for iOS and Android.

Our March auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 27^th March.

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!

Macallan – 50 Year Old (Red Collection)

Highland Park – 50 Year Old (2021)

Macallan  – Peter Blake @LXXX (Eight Decades)

WhistlePig – The Boss Hog (16 2/3 Year Old & 17 Year Old)

Whisky Hammer Ukraine Fundraiser. 100% of all proceeds going to the British Red Cross Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

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.co.uk.

TRIUMPH FOR OLDEST MACALLAN RED COLLECTION WHISKY AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

View the catalogue

The Macallan-78-year old. Estimate: £65,000-70,000 

Edinburgh – A bottle of one of the oldest known Macallan Scotch Whisky ever produced – The Macallan-78 year old – sold for £79,300 at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Thursday 10 March. The pinnacle of Macallan’s Red Collection, the bottle was numbered 133 out of a limited edition and came in its original oak and Bridge of Weir leather-lined presentation case. It had been estimated at £65,000-70,000. The sale made a total of £333,341 with 83% sold by lot and 89% sold by volume.

Martin Green, Bonhams Head of Whisky, said: “I am delighted by the great result achieved for this very special whisky. As expected, the bottle attracted intense bidding from collectors across the world and the excellence and rarity of the whisky are reflected in the very impressive price.”

Other highlights of the sale include:

• The Bowmore Trilogy consisting of a bottle each of Black Bowmore-42 year old -1964, bottled in 2007; White Bowmore -42 year old -1964 bottled in 2008 and Gold Bowmore-44 year old-1964 bottled in 2009. Sold for £54,900 (estimate: £45,000-55,000).

• The Macallan-40 year old. The Red Collection. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. Bottle No. 162. In original oak and Bridge Weir leather-lined presentation case. Sold for £19,520 (estimate: £15,000-18,000). 

• Dalmore-45 year old. Bottled in a Baccarat crystal decanter at Dalmore Distillery, Alness and released in 2018, the bottle retains its original presentation case and stopper and is accompanied by a booklet and outer leather carrying case. Sold for £9,760 (Estimate: £7,000-8,000).

Sale: Whisky sale Location: 22 Queen Street, Edinburgh Date: Thursday 10 March at 11 am

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and luxury. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

BONHAMS STRENGTHENS ASIA MANAGEMENT TEAM WITH JULIA HU AS MANAGING DIRECTOR, ASIA

Julia Hu appointed as Bonhams’ Managing Director, Asia 

Hong Kong – The international auction house Bonhams has appointed Julia Hu as Managing Director, Asia, effective Monday 14 March 2022. Based in Hong Kong, she will join a leadership team in Asia made up of Malcolm Barber, Co-Chairman and CEO Asia and Bobbie Hu, Chairman Greater China, to drive Bonhams’ business expansion and presence in Asia as part of the company’s global vision.

Julia joins Bonhams after 9 years working experience with Christie’s, where she has been General Manager China since 2019, overseeing business development across the country and achieving dramatic year-on-year annual sales growth from both auctions and private sales. As Christie’s ambassador in China, she has also been responsible for managing the company’s relationship with both the government and top collectors. Earlier in her career at Christie’s, Julia held the senior roles of Strategy Director Asia and Head of Asia Regional Offices, in which she built extensive client connections thorough her knowledge of the key markets.

Prior to joining the auction industry, Julia worked in management consulting at McKinsey, guiding multi-national companies and Chinese state-owned companies on their organisational restructuring, sales and marketing strategies in Asia. Julia holds an MBA degree from INSEAD.

Julia Hu said: “Bonhams has an enviable reputation, and I am thrilled to be joining the company at such an exciting time in its history. I am relishing the opportunity to use my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to drive even greater business development in Asia in the future.”

Bruno Vinciguerra, Bonhams Global Chief Executive Officer, said: “Julia is a great talent with a proven track record of commercial success, not only in China but across Asia. Her many achievements speak for themselves and I am very pleased to welcome her on board to further expand our business in Asia – now our fastest growing market and strategic priority.”

Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Chief Executive Officer, Asia, added: “I am delighted that Julia is joining the Bonhams team in Asia and I am much looking forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Bonhams’ Asia operation includes salerooms located in Hong Kong and Sydney, as well as representatives in such key areas as Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Melbourne and Tokyo.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and luxury. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Our March auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 18^th March until Sunday 27^th March.

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!

Macallan – 50 Year Old (Red Collection)

Highland Park – 50 Year Old (2021)

Macallan  – Peter Blake @LXXX (Eight Decades)

WhistlePig – The Boss Hog (16 2/3 Year Old & 17 Year Old)

Whisky Hammer Ukraine Fundraiser. 100% of all proceeds going to the British Red Cross Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

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.co.uk.

A Milestone for the American Whiskey Market: 

Sotheby’s Presents the Most Valuable American Whiskey Auction Ever Staged, Featuring Two of the Most Significant Collections to Come to the Market in a

Single Sale, Including ‘The American Muscle Collection’

AUCTION IN NEW YORK ON 19 MARCH

NEW YORK, 15 MARCH 2022 – Advance bidding is now open on Bourbon & Rye Whiskey | The American Muscle Collection + The Three Continents Collection Pt III, the most valuable auction of American whiskey ever staged. With an overall estimate of $825,000 – 1.2 million, and featuring two of the most significant collections to come to the market in a single sale, the 750-lot auction will be presented live from Sotheby’s in New York this Saturday, 19 March at 10am EDT.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “American Whiskey stands apart owing to its strength of character, and over the last two years has shown the beginnings of a meteoric rise in the secondary market. Maturing in virgin American oak barrels for years and sometimes decades, the resulting whiskeys are luxuriously rich, complex and unmistakably American. A muscular character can be attributed not only to this wealth of flavors but also to the high proof of the market’s most collectible bottles.” 

The auction is led by the American Muscle Collection, which takes its name not only from its unparalleled range of rich and robust US Bourbons and Rye Whiskeys, but also from the collector who built this significant catalogue of bottles. Rich “RJ” Gottlieb is the owner of one of the most legendary Chevrolets in existence, the 1969 “Big Red” Camaro, referred to by many as “the baddest muscle car ever”. The collection is defined by its extensive selection of Willett Family Estate barrel picks.

The second significant collection is The Three Continents Collection Part III. These whiskeys were part of a 5,000 bottle-strong collection of Scotch and Japanese whisky as well as Bourbon and Rye from the USA that has been allocated across five Sotheby’s auctions in 2021 and 2022. It first hit the market in November 2021 as a single owner sale, doubling its estimate to achieve $2m just for Part I. This auction exclusively contains American whiskeys from this collection.

These two collections are supported by a number of other classic bottles such as Lanell’s Red Hook Rye, Pappy Van Winkle, Four Roses and Old Weller. 

The American Muscle Collection is defined by the depth and breadth of its selection. Not only are there numerous bottlings from the likes of Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and Black Maple Hill, but the extent of bottlings from producers such as Willett and Four Roses give an idea of the wealth of knowledge and prescience a collection such as this requires.

Among bourbon and rye whiskey connoisseurs, bottles of Willett Family Estate are as highly sought after as those from Buffalo Trace, Michter’s and Old Rip Van Winkle – if not more. Drawing on their immense stocks of well-aged whiskeys, the Kulsveens, the branch of the Willett family that now owns the distillery, create a variety of whiskeys but save the very best barrels, no more than three percent, for their estate brand, which they began to release in small amounts in the mid-2000s.

Over the last twenty years, Four Roses has developed a reputation as one of the best all-around distilleries in Kentucky, its portfolio ranging from a solid, inexpensive entry-level whiskey to a very limited and highly coveted series of annual releases, some of which critics rank among the best bourbons of the century.

Black Maple Hill is among the most coveted American whiskeys, with a history that connects it with some of the biggest names in Kentucky distilling. Like several other extremely limited-release brands from the early 2000s, Black Maple Hill did not make its own whiskey, or even bottle it. Rather, its owner, a California-based company called CVI Brands, hired Julian Van Winkle III to find high-quality barrels of whiskey and bottle it for them. At the time, Van Winkle was working out of the disused Hoffman Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where he bottled whiskey for his own brand, Old Rip Van Winkle, as well as for clients such as CVI, all of which have long since achieved legendary status among collectors.

Starting in the mid-2000s, Michter’s was arguably the first American whiskey to join Old Rip Van Winkle as a truly world-class luxury brand. The Michter’s name originated in the decades after World War II, when a Pennsylvania businessman named Lou Forman named a distillery after his sons, Michael and Peter. But the Pennsylvania whiskey industry was in a steady and terminal decline, and the distillery shut its doors in 1990.

The Van Winkle line of whiskeys needs no introduction: praised by celebrities, the subject of a bestselling book, it is by far the best recognized and most widely coveted.

HIGHLIGHTS

LeNell Red Hook Rye 23 Year Old Barrel #3 68.8 abv NV, est. $20,000-30,000

Pappy Van Winkle Double Vertical 2020 & 2021, est, $16,000-24,000

Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon 21 Year Old “The Wheated Patriot” 141.6 proof 1993, est, $8,000-12,000

Michter’s Single Barrel Rye 25 Year Old 117.3 proof NV, est. $5,000-6,000

Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving 100 proof NV, est. $4,500-6,000

Black Maple Hill Single Barrel Rye 15 Year Old 98.2 proof NV, est. $4,000-7,000

Heaven Hill William Heavenhill Signature Anniversary 127.6 aproof NV, est. $4,000-4,800

Four Roses Single Barrel 17 Year Old 2012 Release 55.3 abv NV, est. $3,000-5,000

The American Muscle Collection: lots 1 – 534 (est. $580,350 – 825,150)

The Three Continents Collection Part III: lots 586 – 750 (est. $112,850 – 177,950)

The monthly auction is now live over at Whisky.Auction, with more than 1200 lots, and it’s a bit of a Johnnie Walker bonanza including six Directors Blends never available at retail. Read on to find out more.

The auction is currently live, ending from 7.30pm on Tuesday 15^th March 2022.

Lots for Johnnie Walker fans…

Starting with the awesome Johnnie Walker Excelsior. This is one of JW’s rarest releases and only appears at auction once in a blue moon. It was made with whiskies distilled in 1947 and matured for around 50 years before it was bottled in 1997

Twelve years later Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old Centenary Edition was released in 2009 to commemorate 100 years of Black Label, first created in 1909.

Six Johnnie Walker Directors Blends from 2009 through to 2013 are all in good condition and with impeccable provenance. This is a rare chance to snap up all of these beautiful blends which were never available at retail, instead being given only to esteemed friends of Johnnie Walker.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare is a one of eight limited editions in a series that explored the flavour and characteristics from closed, or ‘ghost’, distilleries. This special variation includes malt from Port Ellen and grain from Carsebridge and Caledonian, all lost ghost distilleries.

One for the uber collector, there’s a Johnnie Walker Premier which was released for the Asian market and also includes whiskies from closed distilleries in the blend. This one is in excellent condition and comes with a numbered certificate

We do love a blend…

We love great Old Blends at Whisky.Auction, even when usually the focus is on single malts, so here are four superb examples all dating from the 1950s to 1960s:

• The iconic Buchanan’s Black & White, sealed with a spring cap
• Dewar’s Ancestor, bottled in the 1960s
• Ainslie’s King’s Legend, from the owners of Clynelish/Brora, bottled in the 1950s to 1960s
• Finally the ubiquitous Dimple, a great dram which can be picked up for a snip at auction

In every auction there is always a few bottles that stand out from the crowd and these three distinguished old drams, distilled more than five decades ago, certainly do that.

Macallan 1967 Sir Peter Blake Anecdotes of Ages

Celebrating the legacy and history of Sir Peter Blake and The Macallan, the Anecdotes of Ages Collection comprises 13 unique bottles of exceptional 1967 whisky, selected for its classic, yet distinctly colourful character.

Dalmore 40 Year Old

Released in 2017, the Dalmore 40 Year Old was aged in bourbon casks for 30 years, then aged in oloroso-sherry butts for a further seven before being finished in first-fill bourbon barrels. The result is an intensely rich and full bodied single malt.

Macallan-Glenlivet 40 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Edinburgh Crystal Decanter 75cl

A fine example of Edinburgh Crystal craftsmanship, this well-aged Macallan-Glenlivet is the embodiment of what a Speyside whisky can be. Complete with a stunning stopper and thistle engravings, this diamond in the rough is a Macallan collector’s dream.

In February we survived three storms and thunder snow but we are coming back for more – Storms Dudley, Eunice & Franklin were no match for SWA!

Below you will find our UK Collection schedule for March 2022. Please note the deadline date for all collections in now 12 noon on Monday 14th March 2022.

To register your interest in a collection please complete the form which can be found

HERE

Please note home collections are available to those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000 and above in towns and cities where we do not offer a collection point. Please get in touch if your area is not listed below but you would like a home collection. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Collections are limited and by appointment only. If you would like to attend please complete the form which can be found here. Please note dead lines apply for collection requests.  It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift. In addition the attached submission form and label should be completed.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery (to collection point) service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label

WHISKY & SPIRITS AUCTION
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Auction ends Tuesday 15 March.
Get bidding and good luck!

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HOW TO COLLECT LOST SCOTTISH DISTILLERIES

A complete list of the lost distilleries of Scotland that closed in the 20th Century.

FIND OUT MORE