SOTHEBY’S UNVEILS
‘The Great American Whiskey Collection’
The Most Valuable Single-Owner American Whiskey Collection Ever Offered at Auction
Marking the First Live, Single-Owner American Whiskey Sale in History
Featuring Landmark Bottles from Old Rip Van Winkle, Old Fitzgerald, Willett and More
Live Evening Auction 24 January at the Iconic Breuer Building
Selected highlights from The Great American Whiskey Collection including Old Rip Van Winkle Single Barrels for Sam’s, Binny’s and Park Avenue Liquor, Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawks”, LeNell’s Red Hook Rye and an O.F.C. whiskey distilled in 1909
“The Great American Whiskey Collection stands as a testament to the collectability of truly rare Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. Never before have we witnessed a collection of such sought after bottles come to market from a single owner. This is not just the most valuable American whiskey collection ever to be offered at auction, it is the most meticulously curated, featuring the hardest to find bottles in the industry. This collection is truly a first in the world of American whiskey.”
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits
NEW YORK, 7 JANUARY 2026 – Later this month, Sotheby’s will present The Great American Whiskey Collection, its first-ever live, single-owner American whiskey auction, offering the most valuable collection of its kind ever to come to market. The monumental sale will take place at the iconic Breuer Building on Madison Avenue. Estimated between $1.17–1.68 million, the collection comprises 360 bottles offered across 320 lots from a meticulously curated private holding. The landmark auction is part of Visions of America, a week-long auction and event series celebrating American art, objects, and innovation, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary this year.
Assembled over many years by a dedicated collector, The Great American Whiskey Collection features an extraordinary selection of some of the rarest and most sought-after bottles of Bourbon and Rye ever bottled. The sale includes numerous private labels, exclusive single barrels, and historic bottlings that are now virtually impossible to source, with several appearing at auction for the very first time and many making their debut at Sotheby’s.
Spanning production dates as early as 1900, the collection is anchored by exceptional examples from Old Rip Van Winkle, which account for most of the collection’s value, alongside landmark bottles from Old Fitzgerald, Red Hook Rye, Buffalo Trace, Michter’s, and Wild Turkey. Sotheby’s currently holds the auction record for a bottle of post-Prohibition American whiskey at $125,000, and the sale’s top lot is expected to challenge—or surpass—that benchmark.
This collection stands as a testament to the Van Winkle legacy, offering the strongest representation of the family’s heritage and lineage ever presented at auction. Many of the Van Winkle single-barrel selections—bottled for Sam’s, Binny’s, Blue Smoke, Delilah’s, and Old Advocate—were produced in extremely limited quantities, with most being consumed in the subsequent years, leaving only the rarest remnants. These bottles capture both the artistry of their time and the resilience of the American whiskey industry during periods of challenge. Today, they rank among the most prized and valuable American whiskeys in existence.
The bottles in this auction come directly from the cellar of a single owner who meticulously assembled the collection over a period of many years, and stored them in his own custom-built home bar
- Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” (1982, 133.4 proof): $70,000–100,000: Bottled exclusively for Sam’s Wines & Spirits in Chicago, only 60 bottles were produced, the highest-proof Van Winkle ever released
- Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Binny’s” (1985, 121.6 proof): $60,000–80,000: Exclusive single-barrel bottling
- Very Very Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawk” 18 Year Old (1950, 121.0 proof): $50,000–80,000: Private bottling for the Wirtz family of Chicago Blackhawks fame
- LeNell’s Red Hook Rye Barrels #1–4: $24,000–35,000 each: Only 852 bottles exist across all four, among the most celebrated rye whiskeys in the world
Alongside Van Winkle, the collection features historic Old Fitzgerald Blackhawk bottlings and rarities from Buffalo Trace, Michter’s, and Wild Turkey. These thumbprints of American whiskey represent not only the apex of craftsmanship but also the preservation of history and community within the category.
“The value, quality, and rarity of these bottles are unparalleled,” added Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s Whiskey Specialist, AVP. “This is not just a great American whiskey collection—it is the collection, bringing together the very finest examples ever produced. Each bottle tells a story, captures a moment in history, and preserves the lineage of a craft that continues to grow and evolve today.”
Selected highlights from the sale will be available to view from today on Sothebys.com, opening for advanced online bidding on 8 January. The complete catalogue can be viewed here.
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 at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.
*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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