Rare Bowmore 31-Year-Old Brings Big Bucks At Bonhams Auction

A rare bottle of Black Bowmore Aston Martin DB5-31 year old-1964 recently sold for £115,900 at The Old, The Rare and The Only whisky sale at Bonhams in London.

The special bottle was part of a single-owner collection of rare whisky for sale during round one of this particular auction. The Black Bowmore was originally estimated at £75,000-85,000.

The bottle was the featured act in what’s described as one of the most comprehensive collections of rare whisky to appear on the market in years, Bonhams estimated. The private single-owner collection took more than 20 years to assemble and included some of the most sought-after bottles in the whisky industry.

Part two of the sale will take place on Wednesday, June 8th, and will offer a further selection of some of the rarest and most desirable bottles of single malt whiskies.

Other highlights of the recent April 13th sale included:

• The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages-1967. The third collaboration between the Speyside distillery and  Pop Artist Sir Peter Blake was designed to celebrate The Macallan’s long history and Sir Peter’s prestigious career. Each bottle bears a label with artwork by Sir Peter, which is a replica of the label on the bottle held in The Macallan archives. Sold for £42,700 (estimate: £35,000-40,000).
• Ardbeg Double Barrel-1974. Two bottles from a limited edition of 250 pairs. Presented in an original bespoke leather-bound gun case made by Purdey & Sons, the pair come with eight engraved sterling silver drinking cups. Sold for £23,180 (estimate £20,000-25,000).
• The Balvenie-50 year old. A marriage of five 50-year-old casks hand selected by Malt Master David Stewart, The Balvenie Distillery. Bottled on April 23, 2019, it comes in an original handcrafted wooden presentation case by Sam Chinnery. Sold for £19,250 (estimate: £18,000-20,000).
• Mortlach-75 year old-1939. The Generations range by Gordon & MacPhail showcases some of the longest-matured Scotch whisky ever bottled.  This 75-year-old Mortlach was the third release in the series. Bottled in 2014 from a single first-fill sherry butt, it was filled in November of 1939, just two months into World War II. Sold for £18,300 (estimate: £15,000-18,000).
• Glenfarclas 60-year-old. Bottled in 2014, it was one of 360 bottles. Sold for £15,860 (estimate: £14,000-16,000).

Diego Lanza, Bonhams Senior Whisky specialist in London, said in a prepared statement, “Decanter 19 out of only 27, this legendary Bowmore vintage was first bottled in 1995. Renowned for its unparalleled taste, it was re-bottled in 2020 and presented in a decanter that incorporates a genuine Aston Martin DB5 piston.”