The final section of the Willard S Folsom sale of fine Scotch whiskies has taken place in New York. Folsom, a famed collector repeatedly toured Scotland to seek out the very finest, and his collection included many limited editions and drams which dated back over half a century.
 Balvenie 50 year old |
The sale was the final part of the auction of the vast collection, which started in London, continued in Hong Kong, to finally conclude with this 900 lot celebration of whisky.
The Dalmore Oculus 50 year old, in a crystal decanter with a hand crafted wooden case, was expected to be the pick of the sale. It didn't disappoint, selling near the top of its estimate range of $6,500-7,300 at $7,140.
However, it was tied exactly at this price with another 50 year old: the Balvenie, which was distilled in 1937, and the makers decided to bottle it in a style which recalled that time, rather than the 1980s.
Although also recognised as a high quality dram, the lot was expected to trail the Dalmore a little at $4,900-5,700, but perhaps helped by bidders' nostalgia it was also taken away for $7,140.
One other lot impossible to ignore was the very first: a limited edition set of six Springbank whiskies bottled at five year intervals from 25 to 50 years old. These neared the top of their $3,000-5,000 listing to leave the block for $4760.
Perhaps, on some very special occasion, the new owner will open one and drink a toast to Willard S Folsom - as great a Scotch lover as there has ever been.
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