TL;DR

Sotheby's auctions the most expensive US whisky collection: 497 rare bottles valued at $1.6-2.1M. Highlights include Macallan Six Pillars vertical ($400-600K), 30 whiskies over 50 years old, and 53 magnums. Auction begins September 23, 2022 in New York.

We are pleased to announce the sale of The Timeless Whisky Collection, the most expensive whisky collection ever to be auctioned in the United States. The pre-sale estimate for the 497-piece collection is between $1.6 million and $2.1 million.

A California-based collector assembled the collection over many years and approached Mark Littler for assistance on how to sell it. Mark and the collector invited the Sotheby’s Whisky team to assess the whisky at his house following an initial meeting. The owner desires to remain unknown but emphasizes that whisky has been his lifelong love, as seen by the extraordinary collection of bottles he has gathered. Undoubtedly, he is thrilled that Sotheby’s, a prestigious worldwide auction company, has agreed to find a new home for his collection.

A vertical of Macallan from the Lalique Six Pillars Collection is among the collection’s various high-age statement bottles. These extremely rare whiskies are housed in exquisite Lalique decanters and an Anselm Fraser Design exhibition stand. The pre-sale estimate for this vertical is between $400,000 and $600,000.

Between 2005 and 2016, the Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection was issued over eleven years. Since the tremendous rise of the whisky industry in 2018 and the continuous shift in public view of whisky as a luxury asset, these exquisite bottles are in high demand among whisky and glasswork enthusiasts. Featuring age statements between 50 and 65 years old, the collection highlights the skill of the distillers at Macallan and the glassmakers at Lalique, as well as the six guiding principles that propelled The Macallan to industry dominance.

The Timeless Whisky Collection also includes 53 magnums and 30 whiskies with an age statement of more than 50 years, as well as bottles from well-known distilleries such as Macallan, Highland Park, Bowmore, Linkwood, Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Tamdhu, Balvenie, and Fettercairn. Highlights of the collection include bottles like the Macallan Genesis 72-Year-Old in Lalique, the Black Bowmore 50-Year-Old The Last Cask, and the Macallan 1938 31-Year-Old Fine & Rare. The auction will begin at Sotheby’s New York on September 23, 2022, with advance bidding starting on September 9, 2022.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Sotheby's Timeless Whisky Collection?

It is a 497-piece collection of rare whiskies, the most expensive whisky collection ever to be auctioned in the United States, with a pre-sale estimate of $1.6-2.1 million.What are the highlights of the Timeless Whisky Collection?

Key highlights include a vertical of the Macallan Lalique Six Pillars Collection, 53 magnums, 30 whiskies over 50 years old, and bottles like Macallan Genesis 72-Year-Old and Black Bowmore 50-Year-Old.When is the Sotheby's Timeless Whisky Collection auction?

The auction begins at Sotheby's New York on September 23, 2022, with advance bidding starting on September 9, 2022.What is the estimated value of the Macallan Six Pillars vertical?

The pre-sale estimate for the vertical of Macallan from the Lalique Six Pillars Collection is between $400,000 and $600,000.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Sotheby's Timeless Whisky Collection?

A 497-piece collection of rare whiskies, the most expensive ever auctioned in the US, with a pre-sale estimate of $1.6-2.1 million.What are the highlights of the collection?

Key highlights include a vertical of Macallan Lalique Six Pillars Collection, 53 magnums, 30 whiskies over 50 years old, and bottles like Macallan Genesis 72-Year-Old and Black Bowmore 50-Year-Old.When is the auction?

The auction begins at Sotheby's New York on September 23, 2022, with advance bidding starting on September 9, 2022.What is the estimated value of the Macallan Six Pillars vertical?

The pre-sale estimate for the vertical of Macallan from the Lalique Six Pillars Collection is between $400,000 and $600,000.Who assembled this collection?

A California-based collector assembled it over many years, but wishes to remain anonymous. The collection was sold through Sotheby's with assistance from whisky expert Mark Littler.