The 15 most expensive whiskies auctioned in April 2025

It's been a while since I've listed the whiskys being auctioned, (this is the first time making the top list in english) but I think it's worth highlighting what's happening in this sector. April 2025 was the lowest-earning month, reaching levels not seen since August 2024, with a hammer total of $344,494; that's 6% less compared to the first quarter last year.

As I mentioned in the April 21 news, (in spanish) auction houses have had to adapt to changing tariff rules. Even the courier company DHL temporarily suspended all B2C (business-to-consumer) shipments valued over $800 to US customers due to the introduction of new customs procedures. This measure was modified on April 28 following discussions between DHL and the government, allowing operations to resume.

The tariff dispute continues, and we must keep an eye on how it develops. In the meantime, here are the 15 most expensive whiskys auctioned in April 2025:

15. The Bitter Truth 24 years old Barrel Proof Rye (700 ml)

• Straight Rye Whiskey

• American rye whiskey 

• Hammer price $19,500

• Sold by Unicorn Auctions

This is part of a series of aged whiskeys called Willet “epic rye.” Depending on the source, the total number of bottles and the order of release is open to debate. The best-known bottles in this series are LeNell’s Red Hook (which sold for almost double last year), Doug’s Green Ink, Doug’s Black Ink, Velvet Glove, Iron Fist, Rathskeller, Bitter Truth, Bonili 24/94, Bonili 24/110, and Delilah’s 15th Anniversary.

14. Gordon & MacPhail Port Ellen 1969 15 years old for Intertrade

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $19,586

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

An exceptionally rare 1969 bottle from the Port Ellen distillery by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail. This expression is part of the Celtic Label Series, a series bottled exclusively for Intertrade’s Italian importers Giuseppe Meregalli, Donini, and Nadi Fiori. 

This particular bottle is from a 1985 import by Intertrade and is signed by Nadi Fiori.

13. Midleton Very Rare 30th anniversary Pearl Edition

• Blend Whisky

• Irish whiskey

• Hammer price $19,691

• Sold by Irish Whiskey Auctions

A very special limited edition from the Midleton distillery to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Very Rare series in 2014. It’s a collaboration between retired Master Distiller Barry Crockett and new Master Distiller Brian Nation; each bottle bears their signature. A total of 117 were made, and this bottle is the 97th. 

The oak case contains a limited-edition celebratory booklet and a hand-blown miniature of the Midleton Very Rare 30th Anniversary Pearl Edition so whisky lovers can enjoy and share it without opening the entire bottle.

12. Laphroaig 1966 19 years old Intertrade

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $19,728

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

This bottle belonged to the collection of Nadi Fiori, Intertrade’s Italian importer. It is the second bottle to appear on this list, which is also signed.

This bottle was distilled in 1966 and bottled at cask strength after having matured for 19 years in sherry casks.

11. Bowmore 1980 Queen’s Cask 21 years old

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $19,728

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

On August 9, 1980, the Bowmore Distillery received a visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In her presence and to celebrate her visit, a sherry cask was filled and left to mature in the distillery’s №1 Cellar for 21 years. 

It was finally bottled in 2002 to commemorate its Golden Jubilee. 648 bottles were obtained from this cask.

10. The Singleton of Dufftown 54 years old Paragon of Time No. 2

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $19,971

• Sold by Whisky Hammer

The Singleton Paragon of Time expressions are the oldest and rarest whiskies The Singleton has ever released. This is the second in the series, with just 235 bottles. It was distilled in Dufftown on October 31, 1966, and aged for 54 years. Finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

9. Old Rip Van Winkle 18 years old Blue Smoke

• Straight Bourbon

• Bourbon whiskey

• Hammer price $21,700

• Sold by Unicorn Auctions

This private label bottling was created by Julian Van Winkle III for the New York City restaurant Blue Smoke. According to the restaurant — which opened in 2002 but closed at the end of 2024 — the name derives from “the legendary spiral of smoke that rises from a perfectly smoked barbecue.”

2003 was a special year for Van Winkle’s private labels. Some of the most coveted and iconic bottlings of all time — Sam’s 20, Binny’s 18, and Park Avenue 18, among others — were selected or bottled during this 12-month period. Blue Smoke was crafted during this period and is in the same vein as these other bottlings.

8. Karuizawa Platinum Geisha 38 year old Cask No. 4365

• Single Malt

• Japanese whisky

• Hammer Price $22,274

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

The first of two very special bottlings: The Karuizawa Platinum Geishas, ​​with these expressions the Karuizawa Geishas series ends. 

Distilled in 1984, this whisky from the legendary, closed Karuizawa distillery matured its entire life in a sherry cask before being bottled at 38 years old. The Elixir Distillers team saved the best for last, with this and its companion, showcasing all the richness of sherry and the complex spicy notes that characterize these whiskies. A perfect end to the series.

7. Karuizawa Platinum Geisha 40 years old Cask No. 1650

• Single Malt

• Japanese whisky

• Hammer price $22,274

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

Just like the previous entry and sold for the same price, we have the second bottle of this very special pair, The Karuizawa Platinum Geishas.

While all Karuizawa Geishas have been special, this pair stands out for being the oldest bottlings in the series. This whisky was distilled in 1982 and matured for 40 years in a sherry cask.

6. Old Rip Van Winkle 25 years old Bourbon Decanter (2017)

• Whiskey

• American whiskey 

• Hammer price $22,700

• Sold by Unicorn Auctions

The barrels were distilled in the spring and fall of 1989 and stored in the lower levels of a metal-clad warehouse built in 1935 at the Van Winkle family distillery in Shively, Kentucky. In 2002, the barrels were moved to the Buffalo Trace distillery, where they continued to age for another 12 years in the lower floors of Buffalo Trace's brick warehouses. In 2014, the Buffalo Trace team moved the barrels to stainless steel tanks to halt the aging process.

5. Macallan Fine & Rare 1953 49 years old

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $24,183

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

The Fine and Rare series was released at the beginning of this century and represents the largest set of whiskies in a Macallan series, with a total of 40 bottles.

The auctioned bottle was distilled in 1953 and matured for 49 years. It is one of only 100 bottles produced. Unique reference code: mnq2xp

Signed and dated by A. Murray on June 27, 2004.

4. Macallan Fine & Rare 1952 49 years old

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $24,183

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

On the same day, April 7, 2 bottles of this series were auctioned, achieving position 4 and 5 on our list. 

This bottle was distilled in 1952 from cask #1250 after 49 years of aging. Unique reference code: 9mftay

3. Hibiki 40 years old

• Single Malt 

• Japanese whisky

• Hammer price$24,700

• Sold by Unicorn Auctions

Hibiki 40 Years is the brand’s oldest whisky and a milestone for The House of Suntory. The blend is composed of five main components drawn from barrels, many of which were well over 40 years old. 

The final blend was created by the Master Blender Shinji Fukuyo and includes:

• Yamazaki white oak distilled in 1978 and 1983 

• Yamazaki Spanish oak distilled in 1980 

• Yamazaki mizunara oak distilled in 1983 

• Hakushu lightly smoked distilled in 1981 

• Chita grain whisky distilled in 1979 and 1981 

The decanter is made of Kagami Crystal and uses traditional Japanese maki-e gold lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays. Only 400 bottles were produced.

2. Macallan The Red Collection 50 year old

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $31,820

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

This 50-year-old whisky was created by Macallan's whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell and is presented in an oak box handcrafted in the UK from the same European wood used to make Macallan casks. The interior of the box has been upholstered by Bridge of Weir with high-quality, sustainably sourced Scottish leather. 

It is part of The Red Collection, launched in 2020. What we can see from this sale is that despite being in second place in this list, the whisky did not reach its launch price.

1. Bowmore 1968 ARC-52

• Single Malt

• Scotch whisky

• Hammer price $32,456

• Sold by Whisky Auctioneer

Presented in a numbered Bowmore x Aston Martin decanter, this whisky was aged for 52 years. It is the result of combining a single sherry cask and an ex-bourbon American oak barrel.

The decanter comes in a presentation box and an outer hard case, which includes a book and a magnetic key for easy removal. It is one of only 100 decanters in existence.

I want to know your opinion on the 15 whiskies with the highest auction prices in April 2025! Did any particular bottle surprise you?

Share your thoughts and spark a conversation!