Whisky collectors around the world are no doubt still reeling from the news of the record-breaking $200,000 deposit placed on a bottle of Dalmore whisky by a Chinese collector.
Whilst the headline lot in Bonhams' upcoming sale of fine single malts is unlikely to top that, it is likely to become a talking point in its own right.
This is an exceptionally rare bottle of The Glenlivet, distilled in 1883 and bottled in 1931 by George & John Gordon Smith, is to be auctioned by Bonhams at their whisky sale in Edinburgh on October 12. It has a pre-sale estimate of £15,000-20,000 (up to $30,900).
Earlier this year, a 71-year-old single malt Generations Glenlivet whisky sold for £15,000 with proceeds going towards the British Red Cross Japan Appeal for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
 Glenlivet whisky distilled in 1883 and bottled in 1931 |
The Bonhams bottle has an impeccable pedigree. It was originally owned by Captain William Smith Grant, the great grandson of Colonel George Smith founder of The Glenlivet Distillery and has been in the family ever since.
Bonhams whisky specialist, Martin Green, said, "It is very rare for a whisky of this age with such an excellent provenance to come up at auction. It will still be perfectly drinkable though at several hundred pounds a dram it is perhaps more likely to remain in the bottle."
Also for sale is a bottle of The Macallan-50 year old, distilled in 1928 and bottled in 1983. Number 50 of 500, the bottle has an estimate of £10,000-12,000.
