wsky1

Buyer's guide · 2026

How to buy Oban at auction

124 recent Oban lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £63. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Oban sells

Auction-house breakdown for Oban — 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 Auctions92£6512%
Whisky Hammer26£5812.5%
whisky.auction6£5313.5%

When to buy Oban

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

Jul

Median £50 · 34 lots

Lower prices

Apr

Median £55 · 19 lots

Lower prices

Jun

Median £55 · 14 lots

Busiest months are also worth knowing — more lots = more inventory: Jul (34), May (27), Apr (19).

Recent Oban hammer prices

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

LotHouseHammerSold
Oban Bay Reserve Game Of Thrones ‘The Night’s Watch’ 75clScotch Whisky Auctions£451 Sept 26
Oban Bay Reserve Game Of Thrones ‘The Night’s Watch'Scotch Whisky Auctions£451 Sept 26
Oban 1996 21 Year Old 2018 ReleaseScotch Whisky Auctions£2601 Sept 26
Oban 1969 32 Year Old 2002 ReleaseScotch Whisky Auctions£1,1501 Sept 26
Oban 14 Year Old 20clScotch Whisky Auctions£301 Sept 26
Oban 14 Year OldScotch Whisky Auctions£451 Sept 26
Oban 12 Year Old Mini 5clScotch Whisky Auctions£251 Sept 26
Oban 12 Year Old 2021 Special ReleaseScotch Whisky Auctions£651 Sept 26
Oban 11 Year Old 2023 Special ReleaseScotch Whisky Auctions£701 Sept 26
Oban 10 Year Old Special Release 2022Scotch Whisky Auctions£601 Sept 26
Oban Bay Reserve Game Of Thrones - The Night's Watch 70cl / 43%whisky.auction£651 Sept 26
Oban The MacLeans Young TeddyScotch Whisky Auctions£48021 Aug 26

Buyer's checklist for Oban

  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 Oban

Track Oban price changes — free for 3 bottles

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