Sotheby’s has announced that it will host its first-ever auction at The Macallan Estate in Speyside on October 9th, with the sale led by a bottle of The Macallan Fine and Rare 60 Years Old 1926, one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world.

The ‘Live from The Macallan Estate’ auction, will bring together more than 40 lots, comprising The Macallan whiskies drawn almost exclusively from private collections. It has been curated to mark the centenary of the distillation of The Macallan 1926, bringing together rare single malts from across the distillery’s history.

At the centre of the sale is The Macallan Fine and Rare 60 Years Old 1926 (42.6% ABV). Distilled in 1926 and bottled in 1986 after 60 years of maturation, the whisky was drawn from a Sherry seasoned oak cask, No. 263, which yielded 40 bottles. A maximum of 14 were given the Fine and Rare label, making this one of the original bottles that helped establish the series.

The Macallan 1926 has achieved a series of record prices at auction. In 2023, Sotheby’s London sold a bottle bearing Valerio Adami’s label for £2.2 million ($2.7 million), setting the auction record for a bottle of whisky. The Fine and Rare 1926 now returning to the market is the first of the 1926 bottles to be offered at Sotheby’s since that sale. The bottle carries an estimate of £1.7–2.2 million.

Also included is The Macallan Romantica Collection Unique Artists Edition (est. £60,000–100,000), a three-bottle set consigned directly by The Macallan and created specifically for the Sotheby’s sale. The collection brings together new works by Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami and Michael Dillon, whose earlier designs are closely associated with The Macallan 1926.

The sale will also feature The Macallan The Reach 81 Years Old (est. £90,000–140,000). Distilled in 1940 and matured in a single Sherry seasoned oak cask, the whisky is presented in a mouth-blown glass decanter held within a bronze sculpture depicting three hands representing figures from The Macallan’s history.

A complete The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection is estimated at £260,000–350,000. The collection comprises six decanters produced between 2005 and 2016, containing whiskies aged from 50 to 65 years. The collaboration between The Macallan and Lalique has become a significant part of the distillery’s luxury releases, while complete sets are considerably rarer on the secondary market.

The Macallan in Lalique Golden Age of Travel Ocean Liner will also be offered for the first time by Sotheby’s. Estimated at £30,000–60,000, the 1937 vintage was the first release in the series and is among the rarest bottles produced by The Macallan.

Commenting on the sale, Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Whisky & Spirits at Sotheby’s, said: “The Macallan 1926 stands as one of the most iconic and coveted spirits ever produced, revered not simply for its rarity, but for the extraordinary story it represents. To celebrate its centenary with the first-ever auction held at a Scotch whisky distillery is a landmark moment for the world of whisky collecting. Bringing exceptional examples of The Macallan together at the Estate where their story began offers collectors a truly unique opportunity to engage with one of the most legendary names in spirits.”

Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, added: “To host Sotheby’s first-ever auction at The Macallan Estate is a very special milestone for our brand. The Estate is our home and the place where our story began more than two centuries ago; it is where our whisky is crafted, matured and brought to life through the people, place and mastery that define The Macallan. Welcoming collectors and guests here in Speyside for this landmark sale is a fitting way to celebrate 100 years of the enduring legacy of The Macallan 1926, while reflecting the creativity, craftsmanship and sense of possibility that continue to shape our future.”

With a combined estimate of around £2.3 million, the sale will also include bottles from several historic Macallan ranges, including vintages of The Macallan 18 Years Old, The Macallan 25 Years Old Anniversary Malt and The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection. Current highlights include a six-bottle lot of The Macallan 18 Years Old Sherry Oak 1970, estimated at £13,000–18,000, alongside individual Anniversary Malt releases and a 1937 Fine & Rare 32 Years Old estimated at £16,000–22,000.