Authenticity Policy
Our Commitment
Every bottle accepted for sale by Whisky-Online Auctions is carefully assessed by our specialists before being offered for auction.
With over 35 years' experience handling old, rare and collectible spirits, we use our knowledge, research and industry experience to examine each Lot. If we are not satisfied that a bottle is suitable for sale, it will not be offered at auction.
Authentication Process
Our assessment may include, where appropriate:
- Bottle characteristics and construction.
- Labels, capsules, seals and closures.
- Fill levels and the appearance of the liquid.
- Bottle codes, tax strips and production markings.
- Packaging and presentation.
- Provenance and ownership history where available.
- Comparison with known genuine examples and historical records.
We reserve the right to refuse, withdraw or cancel any Lot where authenticity, provenance or condition cannot be satisfactorily verified.
Buyer Due Diligence
Bidders are responsible for satisfying themselves as to the authenticity, condition and suitability of a Lot before placing a bid.
We strongly encourage bidders to examine all photographs and descriptions carefully and to contact us with any questions before bidding. We are happy to provide additional information or photographs where reasonably possible.
Descriptions and Dating
Descriptions are prepared in good faith using the information available at the time of cataloguing.
Where we provide an estimated bottling date, production period or other historical information, this represents our opinion based on available evidence and industry knowledge and should not be regarded as a guarantee.
Older bottles frequently exhibit natural variations in labels, capsules, bottle shape, fill levels, tax strips, packaging and other manufacturing characteristics. Such variations do not, by themselves, indicate that a bottle is counterfeit or inauthentic. Likewise, the fact that a particular version or variation is unfamiliar, or has not previously been encountered by a customer, collector or online reference source, should not be taken as evidence that it is not genuine.
Authenticity Concerns
If a buyer believes a Lot is not authentic, they must notify Whisky-Online Auctions in writing. If delivery has taken place this must be within 7 days of delivery.
Any claim must include:
- A detailed explanation of the concern.
- Clear photographs supporting the claim.
- Copies of any independent reports or expert opinions relied upon.
- Any additional information reasonably requested by us.
The Lot must not be opened, altered, repaired, tampered with, transferred or resold whilst an authenticity concern is being investigated.
We reserve the right to inspect the Lot and, where appropriate, obtain an independent specialist opinion before reaching a decision.
Claims made after the 7-day period may be more difficult to investigate and may be rejected where the passage of time, storage conditions, handling or other factors prevent a fair assessment.
Evidence Requirements
Authenticity concerns must be supported by objective and credible evidence.
Statements based solely on anecdotal information, including comments from friends, collectors, online forums, social media, websites or similar sources, will not, on their own, be accepted as evidence that a Lot is counterfeit or inauthentic.
Where a buyer relies upon an expert opinion, we may request details of the expert's qualifications, experience and the basis upon which the opinion has been formed.
Whisky-Online Auctions reserves the right to seek its own independent assessment and is not bound by any third-party opinion.
Claims that are speculative, unsupported or not made in good faith may be rejected.
Limitations of Authentication
Authentication is based on the information, knowledge and technology available at the time of assessment. While every reasonable effort is made to identify bottles accurately, no authentication process can provide an absolute guarantee against sophisticated counterfeiting or future discoveries that may alter current understanding.
Any opinion expressed by Whisky-Online Auctions represents our opinion at the time the Lot was catalogued.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Whisky-Online Auctions shall not be liable for any loss arising from an authentication assessment, description or opinion honestly and reasonably made in good faith using the information available at the time.
Nothing in this policy excludes or limits any statutory rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law.