Auction Update: April's 20-Highest Hammer Prices

April generated the lowest monthly combined 20-highest single bottle hammer prices since August 2024, reaching $433,030. Despite an 18% gain after three months compared to 2024, the combined value of the top 20 bottles of the month is now down 6% against the first four months of last year. Auction houses had to adapt to the changing tariff rules throughout April: U.S. buyers now need to pay the 10% tariff on all whiskies purchased at overseas auctions, except for American whiskeys. On April 21^st, courier DHL temporarily suspended all business-to-consumer shipments of $800 or more to U.S. customers due to the introduction of new customs entry processes, but to the relief of collectors, this decision was reversed on April 28^th after dialogue between DHL and the government, enabling operations to get back to normal.

Whisky Auctioneer made much of the play this month, delivering 60% of the 20-highest bottles, though their auction concluded ahead of the tariff announcements. Unicorn Auctions had six bottles on the list this month—four bottles of American whiskey, plus expressions from Macallan and Hibiki. The Old Rip Van Winkle 25 year old was the 6^th highest hammer price in April. Old Rip Van Winkle 18 year old Blue Smoke did well, but went for slightly less than a bottle sold in February. A rare bottle of The Bitter Truth 24 year old Barrel Proof rye fetched $19,500, Unicorn Auction’s second-best result for this expression from Willett. Irish Whisky Auctions had the first bottle of Irish whiskey to make the list since June 2024. Distilleries including Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Midleton have new entries on the 20-highest hammer price table: 17 brands have made this year’s list so far, including four distilleries from Islay. Bowmore topped the 20 highest list this month and moved up the table past Hanyu and Hibiki, while also achieving the highest hammer prices at other auctions in April including McTear’s, Glasgow, which sold three bottles of Black Bowmore, and Whiskyauction.com, who sold a bottle of Bowmore 1964 38 year old Oloroso Cask.

The 20 Highest Single Bottle Hammer Prices April 2025

Results converted to dollars using xe.com

20. Bowmore 1964 38 year old Oloroso Cask
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $16,546

19. Michter’s 20 year old Single Barrel Bourbon (2012 Release)
Sold on: April 14^th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $16,600

18. Bowmore Vaults Collection 1969 50 year old
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $17,198

17. Ardbeg The Awakening 38 year old
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $19,092

16. Macallan Select Reserve 1946 52 year old
Sold on: April 28^th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $19,100

15. The Bitter Truth Rye 24 year old
Sold on: April 28^th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $19,500

14. Gordon & MacPhail Port Ellen 1969 15 year old for Intertrade
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $19,586

13. Midleton Very Rare 30^th Anniversary Pearl Edition
Sold on: April 20^th at Irish Whiskey Auctions
Hammer price: $19,691

12. Laphroaig 1966 19 year old Intertrade
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $19,728

11. Bowmore 1980 Queen’s Cask 21 year old
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $19,728

10. The Singleton of Dufftown 54 year old Paragon of Time No. 2
Sold on: April 27^th at Whisky Hammer
Hammer price: $19,971

9. Old Rip Van Winkle 18 year old Blue Smoke
Sold on: April 28^th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $21,700

8. Karuizawa Platinum Geisha 38 year old Cask No. 4365
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $22,274

7. Karuizawa Platinum Geisha 40 year old Cask No. 1650
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $22,274

6. Old Rip Van Winkle 25 year old
Sold on: April 28^th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $22,700

5. Macallan Fine & Rare 1953 49 year old
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $24,183

4. Macallan Fine & Rare 1952 49 year old
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $24,183

3. Hibiki 40 year old
Sold on: April 21^st at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $24,700

2. Macallan The Red Collection 50 year old
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $31,820

1. Bowmore 1968 ARC-52
Sold on: April 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $32,456

The 20 Highest Hammer Prices for Single Bottles of Whisky Year to Date

Each month, we publish the 20-highest hammer prices for single bottles of whisky. This table ranks the 20 brands by the sum of their highest hammer price sales and shows the latest month’s results.