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World’s oldest rum breaks Christie’s record
A collection of the world’s oldest rum has sold at auction for over six times its estimate, making it the most valuable selection ever to go under the hammer at Christie’s.
The world’s oldest collection of rum has fetched six times its pre-sale estimate at auction
The recently rediscovered rum, which dates back to the 18th century, went on sale at the auction house yesterday, fetching £78,255.
The historic collection, comprised by 12 bottles of dark and light rum, was found in the cellar of Harewood House in Leeds, with experts dating its creation back to 1780.
It was discovered hidden beneath thick cobwebs by wine trade professionals Mark Lascelles and Andy Langshaw as they conducted an inventory of the cellar.
“We are thrilled with the results for the sale of 1780 Harewood Rum,” said David Elswood, international director at Christie’s wine in Europe and Asia. “The 12 bottles of light and dark rum sold for a total of £78,255, making it the most valuable rum ever sold at auction by Christie’s.”
The selection was lead by five bottles of The Harewood Dark Rum 1780, which sold for £8,225 each, against a pre-sale estimate of £600 to £800 per bottle.
Global rum ambassador Ian Burrell purchased two bottles from the collection.
All money raised by the sale of the collection will be donated to the Geraldine Connor Foundation, a charity which supports disenfranchised young people in the performing arts.