The Top Whisky Auction Prices of 2024

22 January 2025

Just like stocks and shares, the luxury asset investment class that is whisky is subject to the effects of its environment. Whether that’s economical, political or a combination of factors, it’s always interesting to see what the year has delivered for those in a position to realise the monetary worth of their prized treasures of liquid gold.

Financial markets around the globe have certainly delivered fluctuating reports over the last 12 months, having been subjected to changes in political power, war and extremes of weather ranging from biblical floods and wildfires. As the ripple effect extends outwards, it eventually reaches consumer pockets, which over the last year certainly seem a little more depleted. So, whilst there haven’t been any one or two million dollar whiskies sold at auction during 2024, there have been some excellent sales during what has definitely been a buyer’s market.

Not too much has changed from the perspective that The Macallan still dominate the auctions of 2024 occupying no less than 13 of the top 20 spots. And this was despite their Time: Space 84 years old failing to sell at both the Scotland and Hong Kong auctions. But it’s the Japanese whiskies that have stolen the limelight, taking the coveted top three positions. That may well be due to the fact that getting hold of an aged Japanese whisky on the primary market is incredibly difficult, and as such the secondary market prices have proved strong.

The final four positions are held by three American whiskies and a remaining Scotch.

The top 20 whiskies and their final hammer prices

20. The Macallan – in Lalique 60 years old

From the Six Pillars, Fourth Edition Collection, and one of only 400 released, this bottle was sold on 12 September at Sotheby’s in New York for $65,000/£49,523. The estimate was $55,000 – $70,000

19. The Macallan – The Red Collection 74 years old

This, the second oldest age statement in The Macallan Red Collection met its reserve price with Whisky Auctioneer, and sold for $65,479 / £51,055.

18. The Macallan in Lalique 72 years old

One of 600 bottles, this bottle number 128 sold for $74,534 / £58,000 at the Scotch Whisky Auctions in March 2024.

17. The Macallan in Lalique 57 years old

Auctioned off across the pond at Sotheby’s New York, this is bottle 165 of 400 of The Macallan 57 years old Lalique, Six Pillars, Third Edition.

With an estimated hammer price of between $50,000 – $65,000 it achieved $75,000 / £57,000 on September 12.

16. The Macallan in Lalique 50 years old – First Edition

Another Sotheby’s of New York sale, this time on 15 March. This bottle, number 292 of 470 closed at a hammer price of $75,000 / £58,500 – hitting the top of its estimate.

15. Very Very Old Fitzgerald 18 Year ‘Blackhawk’ 121 proof

The first of three Unicorn Auctions entries begins with this exclusive bottle which was only ever made available for the Wirtz family, who owned the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team and not for general distribution.

Unsurprisingly, this gem sold for almost double the maximum reserve of $45,000 with the hammer coming down on a sale price of $80,100 / £62,500 on 27 May.

14. Van Winkle 18 Year Special Reserve Bourbon

Known to many as the “Binny 18” this sought after private bottling from the legendary Van Winkle brand surpassed its estimate of $50,000 – $75,000 selling on October 13 at Unicorn Auctions for a hammer price of $86,000 / £66,000

13. The Dalmore 49 Year Old Luminary No.2 The Rare

Unmistakable with its striking, swirling vortex glass sculpture, The Dalmore 49 Year Old Luminary No.2 The Rare is one of just three bottles.

With an estimated value of between £80,000 – £160,000 it may surprise you to learn that the hammer price for this ultra-limited-edition piece was just £75,000 when auctioned at Sotheby’s in London on 31 May.

Perhaps a little disappointing when compared to the auction of the 48 year old Luminary No.1 Rare in November 2022, which closed at a hammer price just over £94,000. However, that had an estimate set of between £95,000 – £180,000.

12. The Macallan – The Red Collection 60 year old

The first of three entries for The Macallan – The Red Collection 60 year old. This bottle, auctioned at by Whisky Auctioneer on 2 December, achieved a hammer price of £88,000 / $110,000.

11. Buffalo Trace O.F.C. 1982

The last of our three American Bourbon entries, and a real rare gem. The only vintage dated bourbon from this distillery, this enormous limited edition 6 litre bottle was originally sold with an NFT on Blockbar.

A great sale by Unicorn Auctions in Chicago, with a hammer price of $122,900 / £96,000 far exceeding its estimate of $75,000 – $100,000.

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10. The Macallan – The Red Collection 60 year old

Sold by Sotheby’s on 31 May with a hammer price of $140,000 / £109,000

9. The Macallan – The Red Collection 60 year old

Sold by Whisky Auctioneer on 7 October with a hammer price of $145,207 / £113,000

8. The Macallan – The Reach 81 year old

The first of four entries for this stunning whisky, which due to the failure of The Macallan ‘The Time’ to sell, remains the oldest whisky to be sold at auction.

This bottle, one of only 288 produced, sold for £126,500 / $189,859 on 2 April at WVA Auctions.

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7. The Macallan – The Red Collection 60 year old

Sold on 5 February at Whisky Auctioneer with a hammer price of $162,889 / £127,000.

6. The Macallan – The Reach 81-year-old

Sold at WVA Whisky Auctions on April 2 – hammer price $189,859 / £151,000

5. The Macallan – The Reach 81 year old

Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on 2 April for a hammer price of $191,602 / £150,000

4. The Macallan – The Reach 81 year old

Sold at Whisky Auctioneer on 8 July for a hammer price of $192,377 / £150,000

3. Yamazaki 55 year old

This rare and highly sought after whisky is Japan’s oldest. Created from blending vintage single malts from 1960 and 1964, this bottle, ID: E879A released in a batch of 100 in Japan was sold on 17 June at Unicorn Auctions for a hammer price of $210,000 /£163,800.

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2. Yamazaki 55 year old

The same whisky also takes the second spot, selling just 1 month later on 11 July at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. This bottle’s ID is FE47B and was sold for a hammer price of $256,162 / £200,000.

1. Karuizawa 1960 52 year old Cask No. 5627

Just one of only 41 bottles, this whisky is not only old and rare, it also hails from a ghost distillery, with Karuizawa having been mothballed in 2000.

Sold on 10 October at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, the whisky, cask filled in 1960 and bottled in 2013 was sold for a hammer price of $283,135 / approx. £221,000.