Where can I buy Rare whisky at auction?

Rare appears most often at Scotch Whisky Auctions (31 lots in the last 24 months, median £460 hammer). Also try .

What's the average hammer price for Rare?

Across 31+ auction outcomes in the last 24 months, the median hammer price for Rare is £460. Individual bottles range widely — the live catalogue at /distillery/rare shows full price history per expression.

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

Based on 24 months of data, Aug tends to clear the lowest median hammer for Rare (£420). 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 Rare at auction

31 recent Rare lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £460. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Rare sells

Auction-house breakdown for Rare — 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	31	£460	12%

When to buy Rare

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 £420 · 11 lots

Lower prices

May

Median £440 · 8 lots

Lower prices

Jul

Median £440 · 5 lots

Busiest months are also worth knowing — more lots = more inventory: Aug (11), May (8), Jul (5).

Recent Rare 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
Rare Malts Hillside 1970 25 Year Old 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£480	2 Sept 26
Rare Malts Glendullan 1973 23 Year Old 75cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£300	2 Sept 26
Rare Malts Selection 5 x 20cl	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£850	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts North Port 1979 20 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£320	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Millburn 1975 18 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£290	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Glenury Royal 1971 23 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£800	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Glenury Royal 1970 29 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£540	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Glen Mhor 1979 22 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£400	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Glen Albyn 1975 26 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£380	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Dallas Dhu 1975 21 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£360	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Convalmore 1978 24 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£560	22 Aug 26
Rare Malts Royal Lochnagar 1974 30 Year Old	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£460	17 Aug 26

Buyer's checklist for Rare

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 Rare

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

Track Rare price changes — free for 3 bottles

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