Bought by an investor from the USA, the new record for this legendary bottle of rare whisky exceeds the previous mark of £9,500 set in 2017, according to records from rare whisky analysts Rare Whisky 101.
The record-breaking bottle is the second of the three Oloroso cask 1964 Black Bowmore single malts released in the mid-1990s. As one of 2000 bottles, it originally retailed on the high street for around £80.
Mythical status
Over the last 20 years, it has achieved almost mythical status among whisky fans the world over. It is not known how many bottles are left in circulation.
The bottle was one of more than 4,500 being auctioned off in December by Whisky Auctioneer, securing a total of more than £1.2m. Other notable sales included a Clynelish 1973 Single Cask which sold for £6,100, and a 27-year-old Laphroaig that sold for £3,000.
The world record price achieved for the Black Bowmore Second Edition reflects the ongoing boom in the secondary market for rare whisky, with an increasing number of collectors, connoisseurs and investors participating in the market through online auctions. Over the past year alone, Whisky Auctioneer has seen a 36% rise in the number of users.
Prices predicted to keep rising
Commenting on the sale, Whisky Auctioneer’s director Sean McGlone said: “We were expecting some high bids for this incredible whisky, we hoped it would exceed expectations and break all previous records. It just goes to show how iconic this expression has become among whisky collectors and aficionados the world over.
“As more consumers discover the joys of rare and vintage whisky, it’s difficult to see how demand won’t continue to increase, pushing up prices for those brands and bottles which are most coveted."