It’s June already, and the world of auctions certainly isn't slowing down. Here's your guide to some of the most notable whiskies on sale over the coming days and weeks, and how you can keep an eye on events unfolding...
Whisky Auctioneer’s May Auction sees Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery in almost a century offering three exclusive single cask whiskies for local charities. The spirit has been filled into ex-Bourbon casks, a step away from the sherry casks normally used in their Made by Edinburgh programme, which makes these bottles a real collector’s item and a chance to be a part of this progressive, innovative distillery. The auction closes on Monday 7th June – for more information, click here.
The late Silvano Samaroli and the Corti Brothers are among some of the most iconic independent bottlers; the former was a visionary Italian importer and bottler whose whiskies have been compared to works of art, and the latter was an American gastronomic specialist who bought and bottled casks from legendary distilleries during the industry downturn in the 1980s. Now, a collection of 60 of these whiskies, curated by connoisseur and collector Emmanuel Dron, is available – including bottles signed by Silvano Samaroli himself. The auction runs from the 17th to the 21st June, and for more information, visit the Whisky Auctioneer website.
Founded in 2012, Alfred Giraud set out to create a pioneering French malt whisky, utilising the family’s more than 100 years of cognac blending expertise. Voyage is the first creation of Alfred Giraud’s Exploratory Range which, until now, has only been available in France. This bottle is part of the inaugural release of Voyage which was limited to just 429 bottles; the auction marks the first time that a bottle of the VOYAGE inaugural release will be available for global whisky enthusiasts to acquire. The auction ends on the 7th June – for more information, click here.
Whisky Auctioneer are the first auction house in the world to present this limited-edition bottle for sale. Presented in early 2021, Down to Work is the result of a collaboration with acclaimed British artist, Sir Peter Blake, and it marks an extension to the Anecdotes of Ages collection. Limited to just 322 bottles of a 1967 single cask, this is an extremely desirable whisky. The auction closes on the 7th June; for more information, click here.
One of just 159 bottles, this is the last iteration of the ground-breaking Black Bowmore series of whiskies, again distilled in 1964 and bottled after 50 years in the cask. There’s little to say about this one: it’s a truly legendary whisky. The auction closes on the 7th June, and for more details, see here.
Highlights included a new auction record being set for the Karuizawa ‘Samurai’ series, and a sale total of HK$37,230,318 – the highest since January 2020. The top lot of the sale was number 482, a Macallan Lalique 50 years old, which was estimated at HK$750,000-950,000, and sold for HK$1,178,000.
Bonhams director of wine and whisky Asia Daniel Lam commented: “After a strong start in our January sale, the whisky market in 2021 continues to be robust and healthy. Collectors showed huge interest in the finest editions from the ‘blue chip’ distilleries such as Macallan, Karuizawa, and Yamazaki, the fame of which is enjoying a new high due to the auction world record we set last year.”
You can see the full results here.
Holyrood Charity Cask Auction
Photo credit: Whisky Auctioneer
Whisky Auctioneer’s May Auction sees Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery in almost a century offering three exclusive single cask whiskies for local charities. The spirit has been filled into ex-Bourbon casks, a step away from the sherry casks normally used in their Made by Edinburgh programme, which makes these bottles a real collector’s item and a chance to be a part of this progressive, innovative distillery. The auction closes on Monday 7th June – for more information, click here.
Samaroli and Corti Brothers whiskies
Photo credit: Whisky Auctioneer
The late Silvano Samaroli and the Corti Brothers are among some of the most iconic independent bottlers; the former was a visionary Italian importer and bottler whose whiskies have been compared to works of art, and the latter was an American gastronomic specialist who bought and bottled casks from legendary distilleries during the industry downturn in the 1980s. Now, a collection of 60 of these whiskies, curated by connoisseur and collector Emmanuel Dron, is available – including bottles signed by Silvano Samaroli himself. The auction runs from the 17th to the 21st June, and for more information, visit the Whisky Auctioneer website.
Alfred Giraud Voyage - Inaugural Cask Release
Photo credit: Whisky Auctioneer
Founded in 2012, Alfred Giraud set out to create a pioneering French malt whisky, utilising the family’s more than 100 years of cognac blending expertise. Voyage is the first creation of Alfred Giraud’s Exploratory Range which, until now, has only been available in France. This bottle is part of the inaugural release of Voyage which was limited to just 429 bottles; the auction marks the first time that a bottle of the VOYAGE inaugural release will be available for global whisky enthusiasts to acquire. The auction ends on the 7th June – for more information, click here.
The Macallan 1967 Down To Work
Photo credit: Whisky Auctioneer
Whisky Auctioneer are the first auction house in the world to present this limited-edition bottle for sale. Presented in early 2021, Down to Work is the result of a collaboration with acclaimed British artist, Sir Peter Blake, and it marks an extension to the Anecdotes of Ages collection. Limited to just 322 bottles of a 1967 single cask, this is an extremely desirable whisky. The auction closes on the 7th June; for more information, click here.
Bowmore 1964 The Last Cask 50 Years Old
Photo credit: Whisky Auctioneer
One of just 159 bottles, this is the last iteration of the ground-breaking Black Bowmore series of whiskies, again distilled in 1964 and bottled after 50 years in the cask. There’s little to say about this one: it’s a truly legendary whisky. The auction closes on the 7th June, and for more details, see here.
What have you missed? In other whisky auction news…
Whisky from Blue Chip Distilleries sets new records at Bonhams Hong Kong wine and whisky sale
Highlights included a new auction record being set for the Karuizawa ‘Samurai’ series, and a sale total of HK$37,230,318 – the highest since January 2020. The top lot of the sale was number 482, a Macallan Lalique 50 years old, which was estimated at HK$750,000-950,000, and sold for HK$1,178,000.
Bonhams director of wine and whisky Asia Daniel Lam commented: “After a strong start in our January sale, the whisky market in 2021 continues to be robust and healthy. Collectors showed huge interest in the finest editions from the ‘blue chip’ distilleries such as Macallan, Karuizawa, and Yamazaki, the fame of which is enjoying a new high due to the auction world record we set last year.”
You can see the full results here.
