S
otheby’s New York is proud to present its June Whisky & Whiskey Auction, featuring some of the world’s oldest and most collectible spirits. Headlining the auction is a vast array of American whiskey releases from the World War II era and before.
Mark Wade, Co-Founder of the Vintage Whiskey Society, has spent the better part of three decades immersed in the world of American whiskey, studying its significant role in shaping American History. Mark's passion and relentless pursuit of understanding these deep roots, and the amazing people who make it happen, is matched only by the extraordinary depth of his collection - one that spans some of the rarest and most historically significant bottles ever produced.
Other notable highlights include a twin set of Karuizawa 50 Year Old, one of the oldest expressions ever released by The Macallan Distillery and a trilogy of Bowmore, distilled in the legendary 1964 vintage.
This auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire bottles representing cultural value, heritage, and the finest craftsmanship.
Read Less
Offered from the personal collection of Mark Wade, Co-Founder of the Vintage Whiskey Society, this collection stands as one of the most comprehensive assemblages of Prohibition-era whiskey to ever come to auction. Mark's collection represents one of the most historically significant collections of American whiskey in existence, featuring scarce Stitzel-Weller bottlings and an extraordinary range of Prohibition-era pints from legendary names such as Albert B. Blanton, George T. Stagg, and the Dowling family.
George Thomas Stagg was born in Garrard County Kentucky in 1835 and would go on to amass a legacy that still shapes the whiskey industry today. During the late 1800s he partnered with the famed Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. and his Old Fashioned Copper Distillery (OFC), which was later named the George T. Stagg Distillery in 1904. Today the distillery exists as Buffalo Trace Distillery and produces multiple whiskies bearing these famous last names. This sale offers the unique chance to collect some of the oldest Stagg ever produced, both in age statement and in date of release.
The Van Winkle lineage traces its roots to the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery, predecesor to the famed and now closed Stitzel-Weller distillery, whose wheated bourbon style laid the foundation for what is now perhaps the most coveted portfolio in whiskey history. Bottlings from the 1950s through the 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, yet rarely find.
During the war years distilleries went through multitudes of change as from 1942 to 1946 they were unable to distill spirits for aging, but could still sell spirits from their massive stocks aging in warehouses. Production of alcohol shifted to focus on the war effort, as was the case in many industries. This led to changes in the size and materials used for barrels, changes to the size of bottles for sale, and blended whiskeys became standard. Despite the restrictions against distilleries, Americans' desire for whiskey remained—so much so that between 1940-1942 the U.S. government increased the proof gallon tax by 200%. Due to the changing nature of the era, bottles released during war time and the years following represent the greater change the entire industry, and wider world, was going through at the time.
Willett is an old Kentucky name that's been around since Kentucky gained statehood in 1792. Established in 1936, Willett Distillery saw itself evolve many times over while always remaing a family-run operation; from spirits distillery, to ethanol producer in the 1970's for use in fuel, back to producing spirits in the 1980's as an independent bottler named Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, to once again producing it's own spirits and expanding during the 21st century. The Willett family has earned a reputation as premier barrel selectors, with some of the their releases produced in the 1980s and 1990s gaining some of the highest prices ever for American whiskies. It can be said in earnest that Willett is a darling of the industry, both in Kentucky and globally.
For the last 200 years, The Macallan has built its reputation as one of the world’s elite status symbols while simultaneously producing offerings that routinely appear on cocktail menus and limited releases that even a modest whisky collector can find. The Macallan is one of the first legally licensed distilleries in Scotland after the passage of the Excise Act of 1823. First licensed to Alexander Reid in 1824, over the next 100 years the distillery changed hands several times, and from 1954 onward Macallan consistently expanded it's influence and developed into the world leader it is today.
Leading this exceptional array from The Macallan is the 6th and final bottle in the The Red Collection, a single malt matured for 78 Years. 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 offered at auction.
Established in the 1950s, Karuizawa Distillery quickly earned a reputation for producing high-quality single malt whisky, much of which was matured in sherry casks and used in premium blends. Despite its craftsmanship and acclaim, the distillery was not immune to the downturn in the Japanese whisky industry during the 1980s and 1990s. Production ceased in 2000, and the distillery was fully dismantled in 2016, making Karuizawa one of the most sought-after names among collectors and connoisseurs.
Leading this exclusive offering are two exceptional bottles: 輕井澤 "絕響" Karuizawa The Last Masterpiece Cask #6017 – 50 Year Old, available in both Black Label and White Label editions. Distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2020, these expressions represent some of the oldest Karuizawa 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—a pivotal year in Bowmore’s history—and the names reflect the distinct maturation styles that shaped their unique characters.
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 each—Bowmore Trilogy is revered not only for their exceptional quality, but for the narrative arc they collectively represent. Together, they form a rare and cohesive collection that transcends the sum of its parts, embodying a remarkable era in Bowmore’s history and offering an unparalleled highlight in any serious whisky collection.
Scotch whisky stands as the arbiter of what it means to produce world class whiskies. Scottish distiller's have mastered patience, precision, and the art of utilizing multiple barrel types; turning liquid into generational heirlooms. Releases from Scotland's most distinguished distilleries are found in this sale, amongst them are multiple releases boasting age statements of 30 years and older.
