Whiskey
Whiskey (or whisky) is a type of distilled alcohol made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties. These include barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and maize. Whiskeys are aged in wooden casks, made generally of white oak, except for corn (maize) whiskey produced in the United States.
The first written proof of whiskey production in Scotland came in 1494 when the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland record a purchase of ‘eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make aqua vitae’. As with many other crafts knowledge of distilling soon spread outside of the monasteries, and eventually the ‘water of life’ came to be produced on almost every farm in Scotland. This widespread household production was to continue until the 1820s when the Excise Act was passed imposing fees on distillation.
In 1831 a former Inspector General of Excise in Ireland, Aeneas Coffey, invented a twin-column version of the patent still. This improved technique in continuous distillation lowered production costs. When the French brandy industry was devastated by phylloxerain the 1880s whiskey was quickly accepted as an alternative. By the time the French vineyards had recovered, whiskey had ceased being ‘only an alternative’ and was firmly established as the primary liquor in many markets.
Auctions can be a great way to both research and collect fine whiskey. Our Collector's Guide is designed to help you research whiskey and bid on fine whiskey in live auctions. Each collection includes images, upcoming lots and price results for lots previously sold at auction. Navigate among the collections below featuring fine Scotch and Irish Whiskey.
- Aberlour
- Ardbeg
- Balvenie
- Bowmore
- Bruichladdich
- Bunnahabhain
- Caol Ila
- Dalwhinnie
- Edradour
- Glen Grant
- Glen Mhor
- Glen Moray
- Glenfiddich
- Glenlivet
- Glenmorangie
- Glenturret
- Knockando
- Lagavulin
- Laphroig
- Oban
- Port Ellen
- Springbank
- Talisker
- The Macallan
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