wsky1

Buyer's guide · 2026

How to buy Antiquary at auction

23 recent Antiquary lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £28. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Antiquary sells

Auction-house breakdown for Antiquary — last 24 months. Pick the house with the most lots for the best chance of finding what you want; consider buyer's premium when comparing hammer prices.

Auction houseLotsMedian hammerBuyer's premium
Scotch Whisky Auctions13£2512%
Whisky Hammer8£2812.5%
whisky.auction2£8813.5%

When to buy Antiquary

Months with the lowest median hammer prices over the last 24 months. Quiet auction months often see softer prices as fewer buyers compete.

Lower prices

Aug

Median £20 · 5 lots

Lower prices

Apr

Median £30 · 11 lots

Busiest months are also worth knowing — more lots = more inventory: Apr (11), Aug (5), Jul (3).

Recent Antiquary hammer prices

Last 12 outcomes across all houses — real evidence of what bottles cleared for. Click through for full price history.

LotHouseHammerSold
The AntiquaryScotch Whisky Auctions£203 Sept 26
Antiquary 30 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£19025 Aug 26
Antiquary 12 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£2025 Aug 26
Antiquary 35 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£32010 Aug 26
Antiquary 12 Year Old 75clScotch Whisky Auctions£203 Aug 26
Antiquary 12 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£203 Aug 26
Antiquary - 12 Year Old (75cl)Whisky Hammer£2326 Jul 26
Antiquary - 12 Year Old (75cl)Whisky Hammer£2026 Jul 26
Antiquary 12 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£2521 Jul 26
Antiquary 21 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£6021 Jun 26
Antiquary 12 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£2521 Jun 26
Antiquary 21 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£707 May 26

Buyer's checklist for Antiquary

  1. Verify provenance. For bottles over £500, ask for receipts, original photos, and ideally a seller who is named on the auction house's verified accounts list.
  2. Check fill level. Low shoulder fill on a 25+ year old bottle is normal; mid-shoulder isn't. Loss of liquid is permanent.
  3. Inspect closures. Wax-dipped seals can hide damage. Loose corks risk evaporation. Reputable houses photograph closely — ask for higher-res images if not provided.
  4. Compare hammer to wsky1 median. If a lot is >15% above our 12-month median, you're either bidding on something special (book, presentation case, signed) or overpaying.
  5. Add buyer's premium + VAT. Your total is hammer × (1 + premium %) + any VAT. For a £1,000 hammer at Bonhams (27.5%) with UK VAT on the premium, your real cost is closer to £1,330.
  6. Shipping & insurance. International shipping of spirits is restricted; many houses use specialist couriers. Get a quote before you bid, not after.

More on Antiquary

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