wsky1

Buyer's guide · 2026

How to buy Crawford’s at auction

11 recent Crawford’s lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £50. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Crawford’s sells

Auction-house breakdown for Crawford’s — 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 Auctions11£5012%

When to buy Crawford’s

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

Oct

Median £50 · 5 lots

Busiest months are also worth knowing — more lots = more inventory: Oct (5), Aug (4), Sep (2).

Recent Crawford’s hammer prices

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

LotHouseHammerSold
Crawford’s 5 Star 26 2/3 Fl OzScotch Whisky Auctions£7527 Oct 26
Crawford’s 3 Star 75clScotch Whisky Auctions£4527 Oct 26
Crawford’s 3 Star 26 2/3 Fl OzScotch Whisky Auctions£4527 Oct 26
Crawford’s 3 Star Circa 1980’s 75clScotch Whisky Auctions£5014 Oct 26
Crawford’s 5 Star 26 2/3 Fl OzScotch Whisky Auctions£853 Oct 26
Crawford’s 5 Star Circa 1980’s 75clScotch Whisky Auctions£7016 Sept 26
Crawford’s 5 Star Circa 1970’s 26 2/3 Fl OzScotch Whisky Auctions£7516 Sept 26
Crawford’s 3 Star 26 2/3 Fl OzScotch Whisky Auctions£5011 Aug 26
Crawford’s 12 Year Old Five Star 26 2/3 Fl Oz Circa 1970’sScotch Whisky Auctions£7511 Aug 26
Crawford’s 3 Star Special Reserve 75clScotch Whisky Auctions£255 Aug 26
Crawford’s 3 Star Special ReserveScotch Whisky Auctions£305 Aug 26

Buyer's checklist for Crawford’s

  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 Crawford’s

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