Two of the most talked-about bottles from the 2023 Distillers One of One Charity Auction are back, and this time, they come with something collectors rarely get: a second chance at real market price.
Charity auctions are well known for generous bidding. It often isn’t about the lot being sold but more about what a buyer can give back for a great cause.
The Old Pulteney 45 Year Old Bow Wave and the Macduff 1971 52 Year Old were headline-grabbing lots, commanding eye-watering prices in a live charity setting built on drama, prestige, and deep pockets. These weren’t just whiskies; they were statements, one-off creations showcasing the very limits of craftsmanship and creativity.
Now, both have resurfaced at The Grand Whisky Auction with estimates at roughly half their original hammer prices and commission.
The Old Pulteney “Bow Wave” is an extraordinarily rare 45-year-old single malt, named after the wave formed at the bow of a ship, a concept that also defines its striking design.
Handcrafted in Tain Scotland, the deep blue, hand-blown glass decanter captures the motion of the sea, with intricate cuts revealing flashes of the golden whisky within. Every detail is deliberate, from the hidden cork accessed by a bespoke anchor key to the surrounding silver-work and Caithness slate base, all paying homage to its coastal origins.
Distilled at Old Pulteney Distillery, the whisky matured for 45 years on Scotland’s northern shores, 40 years in American oak followed by 5 in a first-fill Spanish oak butt, resulting in a rich, complex spirit with maritime notes balanced by honeyed sweetness.
Alongside it, the Macduff 1971 52 Year Old offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Distilled at Macduff Distillery, it spent over half a century maturing, developing remarkable depth and elegance. With notes of dried fruit, gentle spice, and polished oak, it delivers a refined, layered profile that reflects both time and patience.
Further to this, if you want to preserve the bottle in the collection it comes with a sample to try.
Both are true one-of-one releases, no sister casks, no repeats, no second editions. That’s what makes their return so compelling and a must for whisky collectors.
They are now available through The Grand Whisky Auction, where they sit alongside an impressive lineup of other highly sought-after releases. Collectors browsing the sale will also find icons such as The Macallan Reach and Bowmore ARC-52, adding even more weight to an already remarkable auction.
It’s a rare moment where some of the most desirable bottles in Scotch whisky collecting are available in one place.
Chances to secure whiskies of this nature are scarce. Doing so without the pressure of a charity auction, and at what might be seen as a relative bargain, is almost unprecedented.
This doesn’t signal a downturn so much as a shift in perspective: the spectacle may have faded, but the collectibility of the bottles remains.
For those who missed out the first time, this is the rarest of things, a genuine second bite of the cherry.
Read the full article at Two Legendary One-of-One Whisky Bottles Return to Auction
