Whisky Auction Update June 2, 2023: The 20 Highest Single Bottle Hammer Prices in May

Single malt scotch was firmly in charge of the highest 20 hammer prices in May, with 10 whiskies from Macallan and three from Bowmore making the list this month, along with the first appearances for the year from Highland Park and Glenturret. Rounding out the list are five high-value Japanese whiskies, bringing the combined value for May to $1,079,892. Bowmore Arc-52 The Mokume Edition topped the list, another example of the high prices that distilleries can command by selling a limited edition of a limited edition directly at auction.

May 2023 – Top 20 Hammer Prices

Ascending order, results converted to dollars using xe.com

20. Macallan Fine & Rare 1951 51 year old
Sold on: May 16^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $28,068

19. Yamazaki Genmu
Sold on May 18^th 2023 at Bonhams
Hammer price: $28,105

18. Macallan Fine & Rare 1958 43 year old
Sold on: May 11^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $30,000

17. Macallan Fine & Rare 1939 40 year old
Sold on: May 11^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $30,000

16. Macallan Fine & Rare 1937 37 year old
Sold on: May 16^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $30,620

15. Karuizawa Platinum Geisha 40 year old Cask No. 1650
Sold on: May 11^th 2023 at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $31,578

14. Bowmore 1961 50 year old
Sold on: May 16^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $33,172

13. Macallan Fine & Rare 1948 53 year old
Sold on: May 11^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $35,000

12. Karuizawa 1965 50 year old Cask No. 2372
Sold on: May 8^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $36,630

11. Karuizawa 1965 50 year old Cask No. 2372
Sold on: May 18^th at Bonhams
Hammer price: $37,047

10. Highland Park 54 year old
Sold on: May 18^th at Bonhams
Hammer price: $38,325

9. Bowmore 1969 50 year old
Sold on: May 14^th at Scotch Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $39,836

8. Macallan 1950 Exceptional Cask. No.13
Sold on: May 14^th at Scotch Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $44,815

7. Macallan 52 year old (2018 release)
Sold on: May 16^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $51,033

6. Yamazaki Junshin
Sold on: May 16^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $53,585

5. Macallan 50 year old (2018 release)
Sold on: May 22^nd 2023 at Just Whisky
Hammer price: $54,976

4. Glenturret 1972 50 year old
Sold on: May 8^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $57,472

3. Macallan Genesis 72 year old
Sold on: May 22^nd 2023 at Just Whisky
Hammer price: $74,543

2. Macallan Fine & Rare 1957 15 year old
Sold on: May 11^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $160,000

1. Bowmore Arc-52 The Mokume Edition
Sold on: May 26^th 2023 at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $185,087

Whisky Auction Values by Brand—Five Months Through May

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 hammer price sales and shows the latest month’s results.