S otheby’s Finest Whisky & Whiskey auction this May in New York showcases some of the world’s most rare and collectible spirits. Included in this sale are exceptional bottlings from iconic producers across Scotland, Japan, and the United States appealing to both seasoned enthusiasts budding collectors alike.
Among the most valuable whiskies in the sale are The Macallan Red Collection 78, The Bowmore Trilogy series and the Karuizawa “The Last Masterpiece” 50 Year Old Cask #6017. Distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2020, this dual release stands among the oldest age statements to be produced from the now-closed Karuizawa Distillery. Please see a collection of key highlights below:
For the last 201 years, The Macallan’s single malt has built its reputation as one of the world’s elite status symbols for luxury collectors. Indeed, The Macallan commands the highest price point at auction for any wine and spirit of any kind.
Out of the strong representation in this auction from The Macallan, the most notable is certainly The Red Collection 78 Year old. At the time of its release, The Macallan The Red Collection 78 Year Old was not only the oldest bottle from The Macallan Distillery, but the oldest age statement whisky ever to have been released. This record for exceptionally aged whiskies has since been broken three times and is currently still held by The Macallan.
Founded in the 1950s, Karuizawa was a distillery whose future was always uncertain, not least because it was located at the foot of the active volcano, Mount Asama in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture. During its operating years it mainly produced malt whisky for use in blends, most of which was aged in sherry casks. The quality of the whisky was considered to be excellent, but as the whisky industry declined in the 1980s and 90s so did Karuizawa’s sales, which ultimately led to its demise. The distillery closed in 2000 and was demolished entirely in 2016.
Since then, however, Karuizawa’s single malt whiskies have gone on to be considered some of the best in the world and are highly sought after by collectors. Karuizawa’s value lies not only in the high quality of its spirit, but also in the fact that the distillery doesn’t exist anymore. Closed distilleries (often known as “ghost distilleries”) have a certain allure for collectors who know that their output is finite. Indeed, there are now only one or two known casks left still maturing from Karuizawa.
One clear highlight from Karuizawa in this auction is 輕井澤 "絕響" Karuizawa The Last Masterpiece 50 Year Old Cask #6017 released in a twin set of Black Label and White Labels. Distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2020, these expressions represent some of the oldest Karuizawa single malt ever released. With only 211 bottles produced, they stand as a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of Japanese whisky history.
Karuizawa’s value has only deepened with time, shaped by its scarcity, its renowned craftsmanship, and the finality of a distillery that will never produce whisky again. These bottles are not only a testament to the distillery’s legacy—they are a compelling addition to any serious whisky portfolio.
Among the most iconic Scotch whiskies ever released, the Bowmore Black, White, and Gold form a legendary trilogy that stands as a testament to the distillery’s mastery and vision. Each expression was drawn from casks first filled in 1964, the dawn of the golden era of distilling at Bowmore renowned for its tropical fruit characteristics.
Bowmore Black, aged 42 years in the finest Oloroso sherry casks, is deep, rich, and complex—a quintessential example of sherry cask influence. In contrast, Bowmore White spent 43 years in ex-bourbon casks, offering a lighter, more delicate profile with layers of tropical fruit and refined oak. Bowmore Gold, the final chapter of the series, spent 44 years maturing in a combination of both Oloroso and bourbon casks, harmonizing the richness of the Black with the elegance of the White.
Released in limited quantities—fewer than 830 bottles of each—the trilogy is revered not only for the exceptional quality of each individual whisky but for the narrative arc they collectively represent. Together, they form a rare and cohesive collection that transcends the value of its parts, embodying a remarkable era in Bowmore’s history and offering an unparalleled highlight in any serious whisky collection.
Older Scotch whiskies stand as milestones of patience, provenance, and precision—liquid legacies that span generations. Among the most distinguished of these is the Glen Grant 60 Year Old Dennis Malcolm, a tribute not only to one of Scotland’s longest-serving Master Distillers but also to the enduring spirit of Speyside whisky. Distilled in 1960 and bottled in celebration of Malcolm’s six decades in the industry, this expression embodies exceptional elegance and historical significance. From the Highlands, the Tullibardine 60 Year Old is a masterclass in long maturation, offering remarkable complexity and depth rarely found in such aged releases—an emblem of the distillery’s renaissance and ambition. The Glenrothes 42 Year Old, matured in a combination of sherry-seasoned and refill casks, reflects the balance and maturity that define the Rothes House style, with rich layers of dried fruit, oak, and subtle spice.
In contrast, the Talisker Glacial Edge 45 Year Old is a maritime marvel—shaped by sea spray and seasoned winds on the Isle of Skye, and finished in ice-fractured casks, it’s a bold and innovative expression that showcases the distillery’s unique coastal character. Each of these rare bottlings not only represents the pinnacle of its distillery’s craftsmanship, but also offers a singular opportunity to experience whisky shaped by time, place, and the hands of true masters.
Among American whiskey enthusiasts and collectors, few names carry the near-mythic weight of Van Winkle and the early bottlings from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD). These are not merely bourbons—they're chapters in a distinctly American saga of revival, scarcity, and exceptional craftsmanship.
The Van Winkle lineage—traces its roots to the Stitzel-Weller distillery, whose wheated bourbon style laid the foundation for what would become one of the most coveted portfolios in whiskey history. Bottlings from the early 1990s, particularly those using Stitzel-Weller stock, represent a bygone era—softer, richer, and syrupy on the pallet. They offer a sensory experience that modern palates often chase but rarely find.
Parallel to this is the story of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, the Willett family-run company that, during bourbon’s quieter years, quietly released some of the most remarkable barrels ever to find their way into glass. Operating as an independent bottler before resuming distillation, KBD sourced from some of Kentucky’s most storied (and sometimes mysterious) rickhouses. Their early single barrels and small-batch releases—often bottled under labels like Willett Family Estate, Vintage and the curated labels of Black Maple Hill—were distinguished by their intensity, character, and, increasingly, their rarity.
What unites these two threads is more than just quality; it’s timing. These bottlings emerged during a period when bourbon was undervalued, underappreciated, and deeply personal. They weren’t crafted for hype—they were bottled for those who knew. Today, they serve as liquid time capsules from a golden age before bourbon's renaissance, commanding reverence not just for what’s inside the bottle, but for the history they quietly carry.
