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The 20 whiskies that achieved the highest hammer prices of 2024 sold for a combined value of $2.8 million. Japanese whiskies took the three highest hammer prices of the year, whereas 12 months earlier, the top three spots were all occupied by scotch. American whiskey had an impressive year, with Buffalo Trace, Old Fitzgerald, and Van Winkle, all sold by Unicorn Auctions, each making the 20-highest hammer prices of the year list. That’s three more American whiskeys than in 2023. That said, the secondary market for whisky had mixed fortunes in 2024. There were no million dollar bottles or the boost of a Distillers One of One auction, making it slightly unfair to directly compare the results with the year before. It’s true to say that there were more high-value whiskies on sale than there were buyers, and with less competition in a softening market, prices began to fall. That was good news for buyers who were able to pick and choose what they wanted for a favorable price, but it could be a frustrating process for sellers, especially those setting increasingly unrealistic reserve prices based on past results. Flipping activity dissipated, as producers factored this into new product pricing, and economic and geopolitical factors in different regions of the world left less money in people’s pockets.
Macallan took 13 of the 20-highest hammer prices of the year, 4 more than in 2023, leaving a single bottle of Dalmore as the only other scotch brand on this exclusive list. Surprisingly, Macallan The Reach 81 year old ended the year by retaining its status as the oldest whisky ever sold at auction. Following the release of Macallan Time: Space 84 year old in September, it failed to sell at its first two auction appearances in 2024, though it still has plenty of potential to make the 20-highest hammer prices of 2025. Whisky Advocate will bring you all the action as it happens, so stay tuned throughout the year to discover which bottles come out on top.
20. Macallan in Lalique 60 year old
Sold on: September 12th at Sotheby’s, New York
Hammer price: $65,000
19. Macallan The Red Collection 74 year old
Sold on: July 8th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $65,479
18. Macallan in Lalique 72 year old
Sold on: March 10th at Scotch Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $74,534
17. Macallan in Lalique 57 year old
Sold on: September 12th at Sotheby’s, New York
Hammer price: $75,000
16. Macallan in Lalique 50 year old
Sold on: March 15th at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $75,000
15. Very Very Old Fitzgerald 18 year old
Sold on: May 27th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $80,100
14. Van Winkle Special Reserve 18 year old Binny’s Private Barrel Selection
Sold on: October 13th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $86,000
13. Dalmore Luminary No. 2 49 year old The Rare
Sold on: May 31st at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $95,523
12. Macallan The Red Collection 60 year old
Sold on: December 2nd at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $110,568
11. Buffalo Trace O.F.C. 1982
Sold on: June 17th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $122,900
10. Macallan The Red Collection 60 year old
Sold on: May 31st at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $140,100
9. Macallan The Red Collection 60 year old
Sold on: October 7th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $145,207
8. Macallan The Reach 81 year old
Sold on: June 12th at The Grand Whisky Auction
Hammer price: $162,431
7. Macallan The Red Collection 60 year old
Sold on: February 5th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $162,889
6. Macallan The Reach 81 year old
Sold on: April 2nd at WVA Whisky Auctions
Hammer price: $189,859
5. Macallan The Reach 81 year old
Sold on: April 2nd at Sotheby’s
Hammer price: $191,602
4. Macallan The Reach 81 year old
Sold on: July 8th at Whisky Auctioneer
Hammer price: $192,377
3. Yamazaki 55 year old
Sold on: June 17th at Unicorn Auctions
Hammer price: $210,200
2. Yamazaki 55 year old
Sold on: July 11th at Sotheby’s, Hong Kong
Hammer price: $256,162
1. Karuizawa 1960 52 year old Cask No. 5627
Sold on: October 10th at Sotheby’s, Hong Kong
Hammer price: $283,135
