Oldest Scotch whisky auctions for $200,000
The Decanter #1 of the oldest Scotch single malt whisky ever bottled, The Glenlivet 85 Years Old from Gordon & MacPhail, achieved a hammer price of US$200,000 at Christie’s New York auction.
The Glenlivet 85 Years Old Artistry of Oak was initially announced in July 2025 and officially unveiled in early October 2025.
The release is limited to 125 bottles worldwide, each with an RRP of £125,000 (US$168,423).
The New York auction for Decanter #1 closed on Friday, 21 November, with the hammer coming down at US$200,000.
The lot had been estimated to sell for US$160,000-US$300,000.
The lot included Decanter #1 of Artistry in Oak, as well as the end of cask 336, a Sherry cask filled in 1940, which was used to mature the 85-year-old whisky.
Additionally, it featured a framed original sketch by American architect Jeanne Gang, Gordon & MacPhail’s creative partner and the designer of the bottle.
To sweeten the deal, the lot offered a personalised private tasting experience for up to four guests nominated by the buyer, to be hosted by either Stephen Rankin, the director of prestige at Gordon & MacPhail, or Richard Urquhart, the company’s sales director.
All proceeds, minus costs, from the online auction held by Christie’s will be donated to the American Forest Foundation, which aims to support efforts to create healthy, resilient forests in urban areas and large landscapes.
The initiative focuses on regenerating and ensuring the long-term sustainability of oak-dominated forests in the US, which are vital for whisky maturation.
Related news
Tilaknagar debuts ‘Indo-Scottish’ whisky brand
