June Auction Highlights 2026

This month's auction features an outstanding selection of old and rare whiskies, including legendary official bottlings, closed distilleries, a superb run of Scotch Malt Whisky Society releases and a fascinating collection of First Cask bottlings from Direct Wines.

Among the highlights are Black Bowmore 1964 First Edition, Bowmore 1967 40 Year Old Single Cask, Macallan 1950, Karuizawa 1981, Brora 40 Year Old and Arran's remarkable 30th Anniversary bottling, Reflection.

Whether you're looking for a centrepiece for your collection, a bottle of genuine whisky history or simply something unusual to enjoy, there is plenty worth exploring.

The Headline Bottles

The star of the auction is undoubtedly the legendary Black Bowmore 1964 First Edition. Released in 1993 as a 29-year-old, this famous bottling helped change perceptions of what whisky could be and remains one of the most desirable official releases ever produced. More than thirty years later, it still stands as one of the great names in the whisky industry.

Joining it is another extraordinary Bowmore, the Bowmore 1957 38 Year Old. Drawn from just five bourbon hogsheads filled in January 1957, it was one of the oldest official Bowmores bottled at the time and a wonderful example of the distillery's famous tropical fruit character.

Collectors of old Islay whisky will also appreciate a late-1960s Sherriff's Bowmore "Ship Label", a style of whisky that many enthusiasts regard as among the finest examples of classic Bowmore.

Another highlight from Islay is the remarkable Bowmore 1967 40 Year Old Premier Range Single Cask #4538. While many famous 1960s Bowmores owe their reputation to long maturation in sherry casks, this bourbon cask bottling offers a fascinating alternative perspective on the distillery's golden era. Four decades of patient maturation have allowed the spirit's distinctive tropical fruit character to shine through, supported by layers of soft peat smoke, maritime complexity and remarkable elegance.

Closed distillery fans are equally well served by the Brora 1978 40 Year Old Bicentenary Release, bottled in 2019 to celebrate 200 years since the opening of the original Clynelish Distillery. Rich, waxy and smoky, it perfectly captures the character that has made Brora one of Scotland's most revered lost distilleries.

Japanese whisky collectors will undoubtedly be drawn to the Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #8309. Bottled by Number One Drinks in 2011, this legendary sherry cask release comes from one of Karuizawa's most sought-after vintages and is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Modern whisky history is represented by Arran's remarkable 30th Anniversary bottling, Reflection. Distilled in 1995 and bottled from one of the earliest casks ever filled at Lochranza Distillery, this 30-year-old single cask release is limited to just 150 bottles worldwide.

Rounding off the highlights is the magnificent Ledaig 1972 42 Year Old Dùsgadh, one of the oldest and most celebrated official Ledaig bottlings ever released.

A Superb Scotch Malt Whisky Society Selection

Following on from last month's auction we have another interesting selection from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Among the highlights are two sought-after Rosebank bottlings, Rosebank 25.34 "Lowland Charm" and Rosebank 25.39 "A Teenage Daydream", both distilled before the distillery's closure.

Collectors of lost distilleries will also be interested in Glenlochy 62.12, Glenesk 86.2, Inverleven 20.24 and the early Society bottling Coleburn 56.2. These bottles offer the chance to experience distilleries that disappeared many years ago and whose surviving bottlings continue to become scarcer.

Other highlights include the Bowmore 3.264 "Bus Garage By The Machair", a pair of 32-year-old Cambus grain whiskies, the Glen Grant 9.197 "Amaretto Chocolate Affogato" and a highly very rare Ardbeg 1975 15 Year Old SMWS 33.10.

Macallan Through the Decades

Macallan collectors have plenty to choose from in this month's sale.

This month's auction includes several examples of the famous Macallan 10 Year Old Sherry Cask from the 1990s and early 2000s, along with a Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask 1 Litre from the 1990s.

Further highlights include Macallan 18 Year Old Fine Oak, several sought-after Sherry Oak releases and a strong line-up of modern collectables including the Archival Series Folio 5 and Folio 6, Easter Elchies Black, Estate, Art Is The Flower and releases from the Colour Collection.

The standout, however, is undoubtedly the remarkable Macallan 1950 bottled by Atkinson Baldwin & Co. Featuring its distinctive handwritten label, this rare survivor offers a fascinating glimpse into a very different era of whisky retailing and is certain to attract serious collector interest.

Old & Rare Scotch

There are some fantastic old independent bottlings throughout the sale, including a Glen Grant 1949 bottled by Gordon & MacPhail during the 1980s. Whiskies distilled this soon after the Second World War are becoming increasingly hard to find.

Collectors of closed distilleries have plenty to get excited about, with bottlings from Glen Albyn, Glen Mhor, Glenlochy, Glenury Royal, North Port-Brechin and St Magdalene all appearing in the sale.

Other notable highlights include a Glendronach 1970 20 Year Old crystal decanter from Signatory Vintage, a Highland Park 1981 27 Year Old from Mackillop's Choice, a Longmorn 1992 30 Year Old from Maclean & Bruce, a highly desirable Oban 1962 Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice bottling and a superb Ardbeg 1974 Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice from one of the distillery's most celebrated vintages.

The grain whisky section is equally impressive, led by a Cameronbridge 1979 28 Year Old and the extraordinary Carsebridge 1962 45 Year Old, a rare bottling from one of Scotland's most famous lost grain distilleries.

The First Cask Collection

One of the sleeper sections of the auction is a collection of bottlings from the First Cask series released by Direct Wines.

These bottlings helped introduce many enthusiasts to the world of mature single cask whisky during the 1990s and early 2000s and remain highly regarded by collectors today.

The collection includes Caol Ila, Dailuaine, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Linkwood, Strathisla and Tamnavulin bottlings, together with examples from lost distilleries such as Glen Albyn, North Port Brechin and Dallas Dhu.

Vintage Official Bottlings

This auction also contains a wonderful selection of official bottlings from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

These bottles provide a direct link to how many of Scotland's best-known distilleries tasted several decades ago and offer an increasingly rare opportunity to experience historic distillery character.

Highlights include a Springbank 21 Year Old carrying the famous Archibald Mitchell label, a 1990s Bowmore 12 Year Old, a late-1980s Ardbeg 10 Year Old Guaranteed, a 1986 release of Laphroaig 10 Year Old Unblended and a classic Talisker 12 Year Old 1 Litre from the 1970s.

You will also find vintage bottlings from Highland Park, Glengoyne, Bruichladdich, Glenlivet, Inchgower, Cardhu, Bladnoch, Royal Lochnagar and Fettercairn, alongside the charming Glenfiddich Centenary Edition released in 1987 to celebrate one hundred years of the distillery.

Final Thoughts

What makes this auction particularly enjoyable is the sheer variety on offer. Alongside globally recognised names such as Black Bowmore, Macallan, Brora, Karuizawa and some exceptional old Ardbegs are dozens of bottles that may be less well known but are every bit as fascinating.

From old official bottlings and legendary independent releases to closed distilleries and modern collectables, this is an auction packed with whisky history.

You can check out the full auction here. Good luck and happy bidding...