Skinner to Host Whisky, Spirits & Ales Online Auction

Prohibition Era 'Medicinal' Whiskey, Susquehanna Rye, distilled in 1916, bottled in 1933 (Estimate $400-$500)

Prohibition Era ‘Medicinal’ Whiskey, Susquehanna Rye, distilled in 1916, bottled in 1933 (Estimate $400-$500)

10-day Sale Features Wide Variety of Scotch, Whisky, Bourbon and More

BOSTON, Mass– May X, 2015 – Following the success of its first-ever online auction devoted to Whisky and Spirits in January, Skinner, Inc. is pleased to announce a Whisky, Spirits & Ales – Online auction, beginning Tuesday, May 5, at 10:00 A.M. ET, with the first lots scheduled to close on Thursday, May 14, at 4:00 P.M. ET.

Marie Keep, Director of Fine Wines said, “With over 550 exceptional lots to choose from and replete with marquee names, this auction covers a broad variety of options for the discerning collector or casual drinker.”

Scotch & Whisky

Scotch represents the vast majority of this auction, with over 300 lots of single malt offerings hailing from import

ant distilleries representing all of the regions of Scotland. Exciting offerings can also be found among fine selections of Irish, American, and Japanese whiskies.

The highest estimated lot in this auction is The Macallan Millennium 50 Years Old 1949, bottled in 1999 for the new millennium in a Baccarat crystal decanter (Lot 279, estimated between $15,000 to $20,000); one of more than 25 offerings of Macallan at auction. Another intriguing item is a bottle of The Macallan Masters of Photography series, which includes a signed print of “The Gallery” by Annie Leibovitz (Lot 271, $1,800 to $2,400). A marriage of single-cask, 23-year Macallan whisky with fine art and wrapped up in a bespoke presentation case, it is a perfect match for new buyers looking to jump-start their collections.

Skinner will also present over a dozen lots of Port Ellen whisky, a cult favorite among whisky drinkers and collectors since the distillery closed in the early 1980s. There are also more than 20 offerings of Ardbeg whisky, including several prized distillations from the 1970s. From this side of the Atlantic, the ever-popular Pappy Van Winkle whisky will be on the block as well, with 18 lots to choose from.

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz 'The Gallery'(Estimate $1,800-$2,400)

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz ‘The Gallery'(Estimate $1,800-$2,400)

Old American and Canadian ryes are well-represented, with highlights including a vintage 1935 bottle of Old Overholt (lot 456, $600 to $800); several bottles of Prohibition-era ‘medicinal’ Susquehanna Rye; a vintage 1884 bottle of Canadian Club (Lot 407, $400 to $500); rye believed to have been bottled by Morten & Co. in the 1870s to 1880s (Lot 444, $1,500 to $2,000); and Hayner Rye, arriving in an exquisite cut-glass decanter, with a rare combination-lock stopper (Lot 431, $1,500 to $2,000).

Cognac & Armagnac

Fabulous selections of Cognac and Armagnac comprise the first 56 lots of this sale, with some offerings dating back as far as 1811.

An exceptional highlight is a case of Domaine de la Voute Grand Fine Champagne Cognac 1er Grand Cru de Cognac, bottled and distilled by Gaston Briand (Lot 49, $2,400 to $3,000). Also on the block is a late 1960s Remy Martin Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac Rarest Reserve in a Baccarat decanter (Lot 45, $1,000 to $1,400), as well as Cognacs by Martell, Hennessy, Grand Marnier, Lafite Rothschild and more.

A selection of Armagnac include vintages from Domaine Boingneres, Chateau de Briat, Francois Darroze, Paul Loubere, and many more.

Fine Ales

Exciting brews will be up for auction, comprising just over 40 lots of the sale.

Many of the ales hail from well-known American breweries including The Lost Abbey, Goose Island, Russian River, Midnight Sun, Three Floyds, and more.

One unique lot is a six-pack of mixed ales, showcasing aged American beers from Dark Horse, Dogfish Head, Goose Island, Sierra Nevada, and Terrapin (Lot 554, $60 to $90) and is the perfect way to introduce the budding enthusiast to the concept of aging beer.

Rounding out this section are several lots of desirable lambic and geuze from Drie Fonteinen and Cantillon.

The Glenlivet 12 Years Old, 12 bottles (owc) (Estimate $400-$600)

The Glenlivet 12 Years Old, 12 bottles (owc) (Estimate $400-$600)

Previews, Catalog, and Bidding

All lots offered at Skinner are available to view online or in person, and specialists are available to answer questions, setting our auction house apart from internet-based auction companies. To arrange for a preview, please contact the Fine Wines Department, at 508-970-3133 or finewines@skinnerinc.com. View driving directions.

View the catalog on the Skinner website at www.skinnerinc.com/auctions. Log in or create an account to start bidding when the auction opens on Tuesday, May 5th at 12 P.M. Lots begin closing on Thursday, May 14th at 4 P.M. Each lot in the online catalog displays the current bid, asking bid, and time remaining in the auction, in addition to detailed images and condition information. Place a bid for the next bidding increment or place a maximum proxy bid. The system will automatically bid competitively up to that price. Experts are available throughout the auction to answer questions and provide additional information about the lots offered.

Looking for Something Specific?

Get email alerts when works by your favorite artists become available. Creating a Lot Alert for “Pappy Van Winkle,” “Macallan,” or “whisky” will generate an automatic email when lots matching your interests gets published to our website. Your email will include a link to view the artwork, get condition reports, or bid online. Sign up for Lot Alert at www.skinnerinc.com.

About Skinner

Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, Asian art, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida, with bidders participating in person, by phone, and online. Join auctions live with SkinnerLive! and Bidsquare. For more information and to read our blog, visit the website at www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

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Contacts

Joseph Hyman
Specialist, Fine Spirits
508-970-3296
finewines@skinnerinc.com

Michael Moser
Specialist, Fine Wines
Certified Cicerone ®
508-970-3296
finewines@skinnerinc.com

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