Sotheby’s has announced that history was made this weekend at its first-ever live, single-owner auction dedicated to American whiskey, which achieved a total of $2.5 million.

The Great American Whiskey Collection, held at Sotheby’s new global headquarters in the iconic Breuer Building on Madison Avenue, New York, on Saturday, became the most valuable single-owner American whiskey collection ever sold at auction, as well as the most valuable single-owner spirits auction ever held in New York.

More than doubling its low pre-sale estimate of $1.17–1.68 million, the sale attracted intense competition from determined collectors bidding online, by telephone and in the room, vying for some of the rarest and most coveted Bourbon and Rye ever bottled — many of which went on to set new auction records.

The meticulously curated collection comprised 360 exceptional bottles, ranging from Old Rip Van Winkle and Old Fitzgerald to Red Hook Rye and beyond. The auction was a remarkable success, with 100% of lots sold and 89% exceeding their high estimates. Reflecting the predominantly domestic demand for American whiskey, 96% of lots were acquired by collectors based in North America. Notably, nearly one third of buyers were new to Sotheby’s, with more than half aged 40 or under.

The top lot was a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” (1982), which shattered records by selling for $162,500 (est. $70,000–100,000), making it the most valuable bottle of American whiskey ever sold at auction. Widely regarded as one of the most legendary bottles of Kentucky Bourbon ever produced, the “Sam’s” is also the highest-proof Van Winkle release in history, bottled at an extraordinary 133.4 proof (66.7% ABV). With only 60 hand-numbered bottles ever produced, it ranks among the rarest American whiskeys in existence.

The sale was further driven by an exceptional selection of private-label bottlings, exclusive single barrels and historic releases now virtually impossible to source. Many appeared at auction for the first time and went on to establish new records.

The Great American Whiskey Collection — Auction Highlights

• Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Binny’s” (1985, 121.6 proof / 60.8% ABV) sold for $106,250 (est. $60,000–80,000).
• Very Very Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawk” 18 Year Old (1950, 121.0 proof / 60.5% ABV) sold for $112,500 (est. $50,000–80,000).
• Van Winkle 18 Year Old Family Reserve “Park Avenue Liquor Shop” (105.2 proof / 52.6% ABV) sold for $62,500 (est. $26,000–45,000).
• Old Rip Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Blue Smoke” (NV, 92.6 proof / 46.3% ABV) sold for $37,500 (est. $18,000–24,000).
• Twisted Spoke 16 Year Old (NV, 105 proof / 52.5% ABV) sold for $32,500 (est. $12,000–16,000).
• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old “Delilah’s 10th Anniversary” (NV, 100 proof / 50% ABV) sold for $30,000 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• Van Winkle 19 Year Old Special Reserve “Corti Brothers” (1975, 45.7% ABV / 91.4 proof) sold for $35,000 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• Van Winkle 19 Year Old Special Reserve “Corti Brothers” (NV, 90.4 proof / 45.2% ABV) sold for $35,000 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• J. W. Gottlieb Private Stock Straight Rye 13 Year Old (1984, 95.6 proof / 47.8% ABV) sold for $56,250 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• Old Rip Van Winkle “Old Advocate” Special Reserve 15 Year Old (NV, 107 proof / 53.5% ABV) sold for $40,000 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• Old Rip Van Winkle 15 Year Old “Woodside Partner’s Reserve” (1988, 92.4 proof / 46.2% ABV) sold for $43,750 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• Old Rip Van Winkle Bottled in Bond (1917, 100 proof / 50% ABV) sold for $47,500 (est. $15,000–20,000).
• Pappy Van Winkle’s 20 Year Old Family Reserve Single Barrel “City Grocery 20th Anniversary” (NV, 90.4 proof / 45.2% ABV) sold for $30,000 (est. $12,000–16,000).

Commenting on the results, Zev Glesta, Sotheby’s Whiskey Specialist, said: “This sale represents a defining moment for American whiskey at auction, underscoring the legendary status of the Van Winkle name and the extraordinary significance of the ‘Sam’s’ Old Rip Van Winkle. The result reflects the continued maturation of the global market for the rarest American whiskeys, alongside a growing appreciation for the craftsmanship, heritage and rarity that define the very best of American distilling. A bottle of this calibre is not merely a collector’s item, but a piece of American whiskey history.”

The previous record for the most valuable single-owner auction of an American whiskey collection was held by The Thoroughbred Collection, which achieved $965,813 in 2021.