Whisky Auction Update: 20 Highest Single Bottle Hammer Prices in October

October delivered a top 20 hammer price list in excess of $2 million ($2,084,701 to be precise), with six bottles from the Distillers One of One Auction making this month’s list—including the highest three entries. In addition to setting a new auction record for Bowmore, brands including Old Pulteney, House of Hazelwood, and Kandoblanc made the list for the first time thanks to this sale. Gaining a place on the list was more competitive than ever in October, with all but a couple of entries selling for a hammer price of $40,000 or higher. The Bowmore STAC 1962 55 year old moved ahead as the highest hammer price paid for a bottle of whisky at auction this year, but will it remain on top as we head toward year-end? The appearance of a bottle of Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 year old at Sotheby’s in November will become the first million-dollar bottle of whisky to sell at auction in nearly three years, and if collectors flock to the Whisky Auctioneer sale of old scotch whisky discovered in Blair Castle when bids open at the end of the month, things could change.

Three of the most collectible vintages of Midleton Very Rare are going under the hammer in an emergency charity auction organized by Irish Whiskey Auctions ending on Sunday (November 5^th). Storm Babet caused flooding in the town of Midleton, Co. Cork on October 18^th, affecting the Midleton Distillery complex where Jameson, Redbreast, and Powers are produced. Following a period of exceptionally heavy rainfall, the newly redeveloped Midleton Distillery Experience visitor center was significantly damaged and is currently closed. Irish Distillers Limited has donated bottles of vintages 1988, 1989, and 2009 to the auction, as well as 50 bottles of Redbreast 10 year old cask strength, with five further bottles of Irish whiskey donated by the auctioneers. All the proceeds, fees, and commissions from the sale will go to help the families and businesses affected by the storm in East Cork.

October 2023 – Top 20 Highest Single Bottle Hammer Prices

Results converted to dollars using xe.com

20. Hanyu 1985 Ichiro Malt Card Series Ace of Spades Cask No. 9308
Sold on: October 9^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $37,832

19. Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1948 72 year old Cask No. 440
Sold on: October 2^nd at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $38,302

18. Macallan in Lalique 62 year old
Sold on: October 14^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $42,000

17. Kandoblanc Aga
Sold on: October 5^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $43,806

16. House of Hazelwood Christmas at Hazelwood 51 year old
Sold on: October 5^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $46,240

15. Macallan 52 year old (2018 release)
Sold on: October 8^th at Scotch Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $51,408

14. Yamazaki Junshin
Sold on: October 2^nd at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $54,900

13. Macallan in Lalique 60 year old
Sold on: October 14^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $55,000

12. Macallan in Lalique 55 year old
Sold on: October 14^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $55,000

11. Hakushu 30 year old for Kiyosato Field Ballet 30^th Anniversary
Sold on: October 2^nd at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $57,453

10. Macallan in Lalique 57 year old
Sold on: October 14^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $60,000

9. Samaroli Bowmore 1966 Bouquet
Sold on: October 9^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $61,020

8. Macallan Genesis in Lalique 72 year old
Sold on: October 2^nd at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $61,284

7. Old Pulteney Bow Wave 45 year old
Sold on: October 5^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $66,926

6. Samaroli Laphroaig 15 year old Sherry Wood
Sold on: October 9^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $67,122

5. Samaroli Laphroaig 15 year old Sherry Wood
Sold on: October 10^th at Whisky.Auction
Hammer price: $67,577

4. Macallan in Lalique 50 year old
Sold on: October 14^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $75,000

3. Glen Grant The Visionary 1955 68 year old
Sold on: October 5^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $206,863

2. Brora Iris 1972 50 year old
Sold on: October 5^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $389,389

1. Bowmore STAC 1962 55 year old
Sold on: October 5^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $547,579

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