Ewan's Cut

Actor Ewan Macgregor auctioned 'Ewan's Cut' — 150 bottles of Arran single malt whisky, drawn from his personal 1998 cask from Lochranza Distillery. The auction, which ran through Whisky Auctioneer, raised £135,000 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). The final total raised included the hammer price plus Whisky Auctioneer's waived seller's and buyer's commission. A new record was set for the highest price paid for a bottle of Arran Single Malt at auction, with Bottle #1 of Ewan's Cut reaching a hammer price of £4,350.

Euan Mitchell, managing director at Isle of Arran Distillers, commented: "This project has been a journey close to our hearts since Ewan McGregor first joined us at Lochranza Distillery back in 1998. To see his private cask of Arran Single Malt contribute to such a worthy cause is truly special."

Macallan Minis

Although the star lot of Whisky.Auction's October Miniatures, Books, & Memorabilia auction, a 44-piece collection of Macallan's Fine & Rare range, did not have its reserve met, the same range still garnered attention in the auction. The highest hammer price from the auction went to a Macallan 1954 47 Years Old from the Fine & Rare Collection — a 50ml miniature bottled in 2002.

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt Card Series

A full collection of the Hanyu Ichiro's Malt Card Series will be auctioned online at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris. The collection, which has been submitted by a private collector, is made up of 54 bottles, each representing a playing card in a full pack. Each bottle is drawn from casks from the now-closed Hanyu distillery. Every bottled has been signed by Japanese whisky legend (and Whisky Magazine Hall of Famer) Ichiro Akuto. The collection has been given an estimate of €700,000–€1,200,000 and the auction will be held from 12–29 November 2024.

Karuizawa

Karuizawa is one of the most sought-after names in Japanese whisky, with some incredible high age statements released from the distillery in the years since its closure (with a new distillery of the same name now in planning stages). This month, Whisky Auctioneer sees a range of bottlings from France’s iconic La Maison Du Whisky, with bottles #1 of its 1965 Japonisme Edition and 1965 Monyou Edition, plus both the 1965 Single Bourbon and Sherry Cask 50 Years Olds.

Bowmore

1960s Bowmore needs little introduction to aficionados of Islay whisky. This month, Whisky Auctioneer has the original 1964 Trilogy as well as the Black Bowmores and Bowmore 1965 Precious Metals Oloroso Sherry Cask 52 Years Old, one of only four to be produced. According to Whisky Auctioneer, Bowmore is perhaps the most collectible whisky on the secondary market.

Orcadian Single Malts

Both Scapa and Highland Park announced re-brandings in October. While the Orcadian distilleries are quite different in character, both take inspiration from their beautiful Orkney home. Decades of their evolution can be taken in by browsing Whisky Auctioneer’s October offerings, with everything from the iconic Gordon & MacPhail Scapa releases to Highland Park ‘Magnus’ label releases, drawing on the island’s legends and sagas.