Rare whisky sells for auction record

A bottle of one of the world’s most sought after whiskies has sold for £11,450, setting what is believed to be a record auction price for this particular dram.

The Black Bowmore 1964 1st edition has legendary status in the whisky world but even specialists at auctioneers, McTear’s, were astounded at the price paid for the bottle.

“The Black Bowmore has been rising in price at almost every auction, but this latest result is quite an achievement,” said McTear’s whisky expert, Laurie Black. “It is hard to believe that in the 1990s you could buy a bottle of Black Bowmore for £70. With this latest sale we are now seeing bottles change hands for over 150 times that amount.”

The rare dram – which attracted significant interest due to the excellent condition of the bottle and packaging – was labelled number 1111 of 2000 and had an estimate of £4,000 to £5,000.  The single malt was matured in sherry casks for 29 years and bottled in 1993.

Although the Black Bowmore was undoubtedly one of the highlights of McTear’s Rare and Collectable Whisky Auction, it was not the most expensive lot on show at the Glasgow sale.  That honour was reserved for a bottle of 50-year-old Dalmore 1926.  Presented in a black ceramic bottle, the single malt sold for an impressive £14,600.

McTear’s Rare and Collectable Whisky Auction was held in Glasgow on August 11.