The Master Distillers Unity Set, a blend of seven different Kentucky Bourbons made in support of Parker Beam’s fight against ALS, sold for $10,115 on October 13 at Bonhams Whisky, Cognac & Rare Spirits auction in New York. The set consisted of two bottles of the exceptional spirit in crystal decanters, and sold for more than five times its pre-auction estimate. The set is unique and will never be reproduced.
Featuring over 400 rare and historic bottles, the auction was sold 93% by lot and 94% by value. Always popular with attendees, the auction saw a major increase in live online bidding, and participants from over a dozen countries were represented. Interest was concentrated in the US, with notable attention coming from Great Britain, Hong Kong and Switzerland.
Other highlights included a bottle of L’Heraud Grande Champagne Cognac from 1802 that realized $14,280; a 52 year old Macallan Select Reserve from 1946 that achieved $8,925; and a Courvoisier Erte set that fetched $8,925.
A bottle of Aberlour-Glenlivet believed to have been given as a birthday present by JFK to his best friend, Lem Billings, attracted significant attention prior to the auction. It sold for $6,545 – more than double its pre-auction estimate. An Old Vatted Glenlivet from 1862, believed to have belonged to American industrialist William Bayard Cutting also proved popular, selling for $7,735.
“This auction saw particular interest in cognacs, premium single malt scotch such as Macallan and Ardbeg and pre-prohibition American whiskeys,” said Joseph Hyman, Bonhams Whisky Specialist in New York. “We are also seeing a significant market response to bottles from closed distilleries, especially Stitzel-Weller.”
Bonhams next Whisky, Cognac & Rare Spirits auction in New York will take place in Spring 2014. For more information, please visit www.bonhams.com/departments/WHI/
