For lovers of rare whiskies and exclusives such as Moutai, watch out for Sotheby’s auction of some of the rarest whiskies on offer and Moutai.
Bidding is now open at Sotheby’s Rare Whisky & Moutai auction, which includes drinks from the Asian continent and Scotland. The references range from rare whiskies from Scotland, Japan and even Moutai, the most famous Chinese distilled spirit.
As stars of the auction, Sotheby’s highlights of the rare whiskies from Scotland include two bottles distilled at Islay’s Bowmore Distillery. Both whiskies were distilled in the 1960s, which adds value to this whisky as this era was key in the history of Bowmore whisky production. Whisky enthusiasts and collectors will recognize the value of whiskies from this very important era of the distillery.
On the one hand, the 1966 Bowmore Samaroli Bouquet bottle contains a whisky considered one of the best of all time. It was distilled in 1966 at Bowmore and bottled some 18 years later by Silvano Samaroli.
Over time the bottle has acquired an impressive value, set at between £35,000 and £48,000. But the figure for this bottle already reached a higher value when in October 2019 Sotheby’s auctioned a bottle for £72,600.
On the other hand, the sale of rare whiskies highlights the Bowmore 50 Year Old Number 1 Vaults 1966 whisky. This whisky comes from the same vintage whose value is set between £26,000 and £35,000. Bottled in 2017, only 74 bottles were produced, making this whisky one of the rarest expressions of rare Scotch whiskies ever released.
More rare Scotch whiskies
Among other offerings in the Rare Whisky & Moutai auction we find expressions from the renowned Speyside region. The highlight comprises a bottle of Genlivet Gordon & MacPhail Generations 70 Year Old 1940, estimated to be worth around £3,000 – £4,000. This is the oldest whisky since its launch in 2010.
In addition, The Balvenie and Glenfarclas, both 40 years old and a bottle of Mortlach Gordon & MacPhail 58 Year Old 1954 (estimated value between £1000 and £1300).
And The Macallan’s rare whiskies could not be overlooked. The 50+ year old expressions represent the Scottish brand very well in the auction. Obviously, no auction would be complete without a bottle of The Macallan Fine & Rare 53 Year old 1949.
It was bottled in 2002 at 53 years old. In fact, it is one of the most aged bottles in the Fine & Rare collection (estimated value between £24,000 and £35,000). Only 160 bottles of this rare whisky were produced from cask 136.
Another expression is The Macallan Exceptional Single Cask 2018 1950 is a whisky that aged for almost 68 years and bottled at 53.4% alcohol by volume. It is an exceptional liquid.
Finally, The Macallan The Red Collection 78 Year old is a special bottling due to the fact that it is the oldest age-marked whisky ever released. It is estimated at between £60,000 and £90,000.
For Japanese whisky lovers
The auction also offers expressions of rare whiskies from Japan such as Karuizawa 50 Year Old Cask 1963 (current bid £30,000) or Karuizawa 48 Year Old Cask 1964, whose current bid is £22,000. In addition, Yamazaki, Hibiki and Saburomaru and Hanyu whiskies with their unpublished collection Ichiro’s Malt Card Series.
For the curious: Moutai “Sun flower”
A lot of 24 bottles of 1974 “Sun Flower” by Kweichow Moutai is likewise available at the auction. Contained in an original wooden box, the box was sealed with the original nails used the first time it was issued. It contains an original stencil with the Kweichow Moutai branding and is divided into 24 compartments with its bottles.
This is a special edition and holds a unique place in the history of both the Moutai distillery and China.
The opening bid for this lot is £180,000.
The Rare Whisky & Moutai | Extraordinary Spirits from Asia & Scotland Auction
A total of 75 lots will be for sale in this auction of rare Scotch whiskies through June 18.
You can review the catalog in its entirety and bid through Sotheby’s website.
Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.