Whisky Auction Update October 6th 2023: The 20 Highest Single-Bottle Hammer Prices In September

Glen Grant Devotion, bottle No. 1 of seven, achieved the highest single-bottle hammer price of September, with its own one-lot auction at Sotheby’s. At 70 years old, it is the oldest expression of Glen Grant to be released by the distillery, and this bottle came with additional gold detailing and hand-blown glasses to set it apart from the other six bottles. The whisky was matured in a single oloroso-seasoned French oak butt and was released as a tribute to the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The remainder of the list contains a diverse mix of whiskies from Ireland, Japan, and the U.S. with a strong showing for Karuizawa against Macallan this month. With some months breaking $1 million, the combined value of September’s 20 highest hammer prices was comparatively low, reaching a total of $689,806, but the packed schedule of auctions taking place throughout October could deliver the highest monthly total of the year.

September 2023 – Top 20 Highest Single Bottle Hammer Prices

Results converted to dollars using xe.com

20. Macallan The Red Collection 40 year old
Sold on: September 10^th at Scotch Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $21,194

19. Macallan Fine & Rare 1968 33 year old
Sold on: September 16^th at Whiskyauction.com
Hammer price: $21,886

18. Old Rip Van Winkle 23 year old
Sold on: September 15^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $22,000

17. Macallan Fine & Rare 1972 29 year old
Sold on: Sold on: September 15^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $22,000

16. Macallan Fine & Rare 1937 37 year old
Sold on: Sold on: September 15^th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $22,000

15. Highland Park 54 year old
Sold on: September 4^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $25,249

14. Bowmore 1964 35 year old Cask No. 3709
Sold on: September 4^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $25,249

13. LeNell’s Red Hook Rye Barrel No. 4
Sold on: September 10^th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $27,900

12. Midleton Very Rare Vintage 1988
Sold on: September 10^th at Irish Whiskey Auctions
Hammer price: $27,922

11. Karuizawa Murasaki Geisha 29 year old
Sold on: September 4^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $28,405

10. Karuizawa 1965 50 year old Cask No. 3037
Sold on: September 10^th at Scotch Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $28,674

9. Karuizawa 1968 50 year old Cask No. 6223
Sold on: September 24^th at Whisky Hammer
Hammer price: $30,906

8. Yamazaki Junshin
Sold on: September 12^th at Whisky.Auction
Hammer price: $31,190

7. Karuizawa Omoiyari
Sold on: September 12^th at Whisky.Auction
Hammer price: $32,437

6. Bowmore 1965 52 year old
Sold on: September 4^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $34,086

5. Karuizawa 1968 50 year old Cask No. 6223
Sold on: September 4^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $37,873

4. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter 4 48 year old
Sold on: September 11^th at Celtic Whiskey Auctions
Hammer price: $42,433

3. Macallan 1950 Tales of the Macallan Volume 1
Sold on: September 24^th at Whisky Hammer
Hammer price: $61,200

2. Macallan The Red Collection 78 year old
Sold on: September 4^th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $67,540

1. The Glen Grant Devotion 1953 70 year old
Sold on: September 22^nd at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $79,662

Each month, we publish the Top 20 highest hammer prices for single bottles 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.