Old Rip Van Winkle sets auction record
A one-off bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle has become the most valuable post-Prohibition American whiskey sold at auction after fetching US$125,000.
The record-breaking bottle was the Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Van Winkle Selection’ Kentucky Bourbon Festival Master Distiller’s Auction 2007 – said to be the only one in existence.
The 750ml bottle, which has not been seen for nearly two decades, was sold by Sotheby’s New York during the Whisky & Whiskey online auction from 5-21 March 2025. It was estimated to sell for US$30,000 to US$50,000, but far exceeded expectations.
Sotheby’s said the bottle captivated collectors as it likely contains liquid from the Stitzel-Weller Distillery (which closed in 1991) in Louisville, Kentucky, and is Van Winkle’s second-highest ABV release at 125.6 proof (62.8% ABV).
It surpasses the previous record set in November 2024 by another bottle from Van Winkle, an 18-year-old Bourbon created for Binny’s in the US for US$107,715 (including buyer’s premium and tax). It was sold by Unicorn Auctions and bottled in 2003.
Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s whiskey specialist, commented: “This sale marks a defining moment in the history of American whiskey, underscoring the legendary status of Van Winkle bottlings and the continued strength of the fine and rare whiskey market.
“Bringing such a remarkable piece of American whiskey history to auction is a testament to the growing appreciation for the craft and heritage of American distilling.”
The one-off expression was originally created for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in 2007, held annually in Bardstown.
The whiskey was hand-selected from 15- to 20-year-old barrels by Julian Van Winkle III, who also signed the glass.
Its label was designed by Julian’s son, Preston Van Winkle, and the bottle bears the date of the festival, 9-15-07 (15 September 2007).
Preston is the fourth generation of the Van Winkle family to venture into the Kentucky Bourbon business.
All of Van Winkle’s whiskey production has taken place at Buffalo Trace Distillery since 2002, following a joint venture agreement with the Sazerac-owned producer.
The Van Winkle 2007 bottle outperformed The Macallan during the Whisky & Whiskey auction. The Sotheby’s auction included one of the only two bottles created of The Macallan’s Distil Your World Mexico Single Cask Limited Edition.
The Macallan bottling was estimated to be worth between US$30,000 and US$80,000 and was ultimately sold for US$81,250. All proceeds will go toward Esperanza International, a non-profit organisation that works to alleviate poverty and build homes for communities in Mexico.
Sotheby’s previously broke the record for the most valuable auction of American whiskeys ever held in March 2022, when a selection of Bourbon and rye fetched US$1.63 million.
Johnny Fowle, vice-president and global head of whisky at Sotheby’s, believes that American whiskey will become more in demand on the secondary market in the future.
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