Where can I buy Imperial whisky at auction?

Imperial appears most often at Scotch Whisky Auctions (74 lots in the last 24 months, median £150 hammer). Also try whisky.auction, Whisky Hammer.

What's the average hammer price for Imperial?

Across 115+ auction outcomes in the last 24 months, the median hammer price for Imperial is £150. Individual bottles range widely — the live catalogue at /distillery/imperial shows full price history per expression.

What's the cheapest time of year to buy Imperial?

Based on 24 months of data, Apr tends to clear the lowest median hammer for Imperial (£100). Auction calendars are sparse around major holidays — buyers and sellers both drop off, so prices often soften.

Does the hammer price include buyer's premium?

No — the prices on wsky1 are hammer prices, not the total you pay. Buyer's premium at major auction houses adds 12–28% on top: Bonhams (~27.5%), most online houses (12–15%). Always check the auction's terms before bidding.

wsky1

Buyer's guide · 2026

How to buy Imperial at auction

115 recent Imperial lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £150. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Imperial sells

Auction-house breakdown for Imperial — 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 house	Lots	Median hammer	Buyer's premium
Scotch Whisky Auctions	74	£150	12%
whisky.auction	28	£120	13.5%
Whisky Hammer	13	£220	12.5%

When to buy Imperial

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

Apr

Median £100 · 9 lots

Lower prices

Jun

Median £140 · 18 lots

Lower prices

Jul

Median £145 · 22 lots

Busiest months are also worth knowing — more lots = more inventory: Aug (27), May (23), Jul (22).

Recent Imperial hammer prices

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

Lot	House	Hammer	Sold
Moet & Chandon 1990 Brut Imperial Champagne 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£55	1 Sept 26
Hennessy Paradis Imperial 70cl / 40%	whisky.auction	£1,300	1 Sept 26
Imperial 28 Year Old ‘A Marriage Of Casks’ Single Malts Of Scotland	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£340	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1998 11 Year Old Duncan Taylor The NC2 Range	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£95	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1997 Gordon & MacPhail	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£150	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1995 20 Year Old Signatory	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£170	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1995 19 Year Old Signatory	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£170	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1991 Gordon & MacPhail	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£150	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1990 Cognac Wood Finish Gordon & MacPhail	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£110	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1989 30 Year Old North Star	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£360	30 Aug 26
Imperial 1982 24 Year Old First Cask	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£240	30 Aug 26
Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial Champagne 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£25	16 Aug 26

Buyer's checklist for Imperial

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.
Check fill level. Low shoulder fill on a 25+ year old bottle is normal; mid-shoulder isn't. Loss of liquid is permanent.
Inspect closures. Wax-dipped seals can hide damage. Loose corks risk evaporation. Reputable houses photograph closely — ask for higher-res images if not provided.
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.
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.
Shipping & insurance. International shipping of spirits is restricted; many houses use specialist couriers. Get a quote before you bid, not after.

More on Imperial

→ Full Imperial catalog → Is Imperial a good investment?→ Buyer's guides for other distilleries

Track Imperial price changes — free for 3 bottles

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