Where can I buy Long John whisky at auction?

Long John appears most often at Scotch Whisky Auctions (4 lots in the last 24 months, median £25 hammer). Also try whisky.auction, Whisky Hammer.

What's the average hammer price for Long John?

Across 9+ auction outcomes in the last 24 months, the median hammer price for Long John is £35. Individual bottles range widely — the live catalogue at /distillery/long-john shows full price history per expression.

What's the cheapest time of year to buy Long John?

Based on 24 months of data, May tends to clear the lowest median hammer for Long John (£55). 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 Long John at auction

9 recent Long John lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £35. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Long John sells

Auction-house breakdown for Long John — 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	4	£25	12%
whisky.auction	4	£70	13.5%
Whisky Hammer	1	£25	12.5%

When to buy Long John

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

May

Median £55 · 5 lots

Busiest months are also worth knowing — more lots = more inventory: May (5), Mar (1), Jun (1).

Recent Long John 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
Long John Blend 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£25	9 Aug 26
Long John - Finest Scotch (75cl)	Whisky Hammer	£25	26 Jul 26
Long John Blend 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£25	22 Jun 26
Long John 12 Year Old Bottled 1980s - Ceramic Decanter 75cl / 43%	whisky.auction	£180	19 May 26
Long John 21 Year Old Royal Choice Bottled 1980s-1990s - Spode Decanter 75cl / 43%	whisky.auction	£80	19 May 26
Long John 12 Year Old Bottled 1980s 75cl / 40%	whisky.auction	£35	19 May 26
Long John 12 Year Old 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£25	9 May 26
Long John 21 Year Old Royal Choice Decanter 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£55	9 May 26
Long John 12 Year Old Bottled 1980s - Ceramic Decanter 75cl / 43%	whisky.auction	£60	17 Mar 26

Buyer's checklist for Long John

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 Long John

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

Track Long John price changes — free for 3 bottles

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