Boston – Barrels of History: Pre-Prohibition to Today – Bonhams Skinner's latest offering of rare and fine spirits – will present over 300 lots from master distilleries, online from October 4 – 16. The quality on offer is showcased by an ultra-rare and ultra-aged Glenlivet Generations 80-Year-Old bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, estimated at $44,000 – 55,000. Distilled in 1940, this bottle transports one to another time and place when George Urquhart, a champion of single malts, felt the spark of innovation and decided to lay a barrel down for extended ageing. The dark amber color marks its journey through eight decades in barrel.
The sale will also present a breathtaking array of pre-Prohibition bottlings in excellent condition and a rare of opportunity to taste history offered at a scope seldom seen. Further expressions of American Whiskey through the 20th century make up the backbone of this sale with pioneering names such as Willet, Weller and Van Winkle in great supply. A highlight of these bottles is a Willett Bourbon 23 Years Old, estimated at $8,000 – 12,000, as well as a Pappy Van Winkle 20 Years Old, estimated at $2,000 – 2,600.
Additional sale highlights include:
• A bottle of Bowmore Black Bowmore, 1964, estimated at $10,000 – 15,000.
• A bottle of Macallan El Celler De Can Roca Distil Your World New York Edition, estimated at $8,000 – 10,000.
• A bottle of AH Hirsch 16 Years Old Blue Wax, 1974, estimated at $6,000 – 8,000.
Over 50 lots of well-kept whiskey from the prolific collection of Josh Raynolds (1962-2023), renowned international wine critic and passionate curator of both wine and spirits, will also be offered in the sale. A critic for the well-respected media platform, Vinous, and Stephen Tanzer's prestigious International Wine Cellar as well as his 40 years of experience in the industry, Raynolds was considered one of the most knowledgeable and credible wine writers. This will be the latest instalment from his collection of which over 150 bottles of wine were offered at Bonhams Skinner in June achieving $173,500 overall. The current offering is headlined by a bottle of E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving, estimated at $4,000 – 5,000.
Additional highlights of the collection include:
• 3 bottles of Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot "B" 12 Years Old, estimated at $2,400 – 3,200.
• 3 bottles of Stagg Jr. Batch 4, 2015, estimated at $1,300 – 1,700.
• 4 bottles of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A215, estimated at $1,000 – 1,400.