NEW YORK — 7 January 2026 — Sotheby’s has announced The Great American Whiskey Collection, the most valuable single-owner American whiskey collection ever offered at auction and the first live, single-owner American whiskey sale in history. The landmark evening auction will take place 24 January 2026 at Sotheby’s iconic Breuer Building on Madison Avenue.
Estimated at $1.17–$1.68 million, the collection features 360 bottles across 320 lots, meticulously assembled over many years by a single private collector and stored in a custom-built home bar. The auction is part of Sotheby’s Visions of America, a week-long event series celebrating American art, objects, and innovation in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“The Great American Whiskey Collection stands as a testament to the collectability of truly rare Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. Never before have we witnessed a collection of such sought after bottles come to market from a single owner. This is not just the most valuable American whiskey collection ever to be offered at auction, it is the most meticulously curated, featuring the hardest to find bottles in the industry. This collection is truly a first in the world of American whiskey.”
— Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whiskey & Spirits
A Once-in-a-Generation Whiskey Offering
Spanning production dates as early as 1900, the collection is anchored by Old Rip Van Winkle, which represents the majority of the collection’s value, alongside iconic bottlings from Old Fitzgerald, Willett, Buffalo Trace, Michter’s, Wild Turkey, and LeNell’s Red Hook Rye. Several bottles are appearing at auction for the first time ever, with many making their Sotheby’s debut.
Sotheby’s currently holds the auction record for a post-Prohibition American whiskey at $125,000, and the top lot in this sale is expected to challenge or exceed that benchmark.
The auction features the strongest representation of Van Winkle family heritage ever presented publicly, including ultra-limited private single barrels bottled for Sam’s Wines & Spirits, Binny’s, Blue Smoke, Delilah’s, Park Avenue Liquor, and Old Advocate—many of which were produced in quantities as low as 60 bottles and largely consumed decades ago.
Highlight Lots Include:
- Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” (1982, 133.4 proof) — Estimate: $70,000–$100,000
Only 60 bottles produced; the highest-proof Van Winkle ever released - Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Binny’s” (1985, 121.6 proof) — Estimate: $60,000–$80,000
- Very Very Old Fitzgerald “Blackhawk” 18 Year Old (1950, 121.0 proof) — Estimate: $50,000–$80,000
Bottled privately for the Wirtz family of Chicago Blackhawks fame - LeNell’s Red Hook Rye Barrels #1–4 — Estimate: $24,000–$35,000 each
Only 852 bottles exist across all four barrels
“The value, quality, and rarity of these bottles are unparalleled. This is not just a great American whiskey collection—it is the collection, bringing together the very finest examples ever produced. Each bottle tells a story, captures a moment in history, and preserves the lineage of a craft that continues to grow and evolve today.”
— Zev Glesta, Whiskey Specialist & AVP, Sotheby’s
Selected highlights are available for viewing now on Sothebys.com, with advanced online bidding opening 8 January ahead of the live auction.
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