The The Dalmore Offers The Decades No.6 Collection as a
Single-Lot Auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong
October 8, 2021
Six rare Single Malt whiskies are a once-in-a-lifetime collector’s opportunity and include donation to the arts
The Dalmore Highland Single Malt announces its participation in the coveted Sotheby’s Hong Kong Autumn sales series with the auction of a one-of-one, exceedingly rare collection of six extraordinary whiskies. The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection, the only complete set of The Dalmore Decades, will be offered via global auction October 8, 2021, at 11am HKT as a 1-lot auction with an estimate in excess of HK$4,000,000 / US$500,000 / £350,000. 15% of the auction hammer price will be donated to Scotland’s first design museum, V&A Dundee, as part of a four-year partnership between the prestigious arts institution and the fastest growing single malt whisky worldwide.*
The Dalmore Decades are rare and valuable offerings that bring together milestone releases from 1951, 1967, 1979, 1980, 1995, and 2000 for the first and only time, and in extremely rare and limited quantities. The Decades Collection includes notable bottlings that mark moments in Scotch history as well as special moments for the Distillery: the first whisky distilled in the new millennium, and the reunion of two incredibly rare Mackenzie-era sherry casks for The Dalmore 60YO. The Decades Collections have been personally curated by famed Master Distiller Richard Paterson and represent his more than 50 years as the creative force of the Distillery.
The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection showcases the passion, dedication, and expertise that has been the hallmark of The Dalmore for over 180 years. The set features six whiskies hand-selected by Richard Paterson, from one of the oldest liquids released by The Dalmore to the first Scotch created in the new Millennium. The singular No.6 Collection available at auction is a set of beautifully appointed Glencairn crystal decanters, with bespoke silver collars and an elegant plinth for display. These whiskies encapsulate a magnificent story of the Highland Single Malt maker’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Master Distiller Richard Paterson commented: “Over the past 50 years, I have kept a watchful eye over our superlative inventory of rare whiskies, giving them the guidance to mature and reach their full potential in the finest casks sourced from around the world. Each bottle marks a very special milestone and has a unique story to tell, which I hope the lucky collector will enjoy with those closest to them – if the last year has taught us anything, it is that life is to be enjoyed now. This collection is a memento of our 180-year history in the making. We are proud to share the pinnacle of six decades of whisky making, the result of potential earned and honed over time.”
The Dalmore is demonstrating a commitment to championing creative talent alongside Scotland’s first design museum, V&A Dundee. The world-first, four-year partnership is anchored in celebrating exceptional design in Scotland and in exporting shared purpose, talent, and stories. The first realisation of their union is Decades in the Making, a short film illuminating the journeys of two world-renowned masters from childhood to today: Paterson and Kengo Kuma, architect of V&A Dundee and, more recently, the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games National Stadium. Commissioned by The Dalmore in partnership with V&A Dundee, the six-minute film is framed by a collage of evocative archive images and a bespoke commissioned soundtrack, exploring the synergies between each man’s pursuit of excellence over seven decades.
The Dalmore Decades offers a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire a remarkable piece of history. Milestone sales of The Dalmore achieved over the past ten years highlight a growing appetite to acquire from a refined selection of extraordinary whiskies. The Dalmore is also the only Prestige brand to have grown share both domestically and in Travel Retail in 2020, which makes it no surprise that The Dalmore is the fastest growing of all spirits brands over the last 2 years (IWSR 2021). These accolades come at a time when, according to the 2020 Knight Frank Wealth Report, a 582% increase in value make rare whiskies one of the most lucrative investments for consumers.
Rare Whisky Director, The Dalmore, Gerry Tosh shares, “The Dalmore offers some of Scotland’s most rare and precious whisky stocks, remarkable in their desirability to collectors, investors, and drinkers alike. Moreover, desire for the hard-to-obtain and the unique is at an all-time high, and The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection is a truly a singular celebration of our remarkable history. We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Sotheby’s as the premier destination for the finest masterpieces on the luxury market, and the obvious choice to entrust the care of this unique set. The No.6 Collection is a once-in-a-lifetime collector’s opportunity to capture the spirit of the Highlands.”
The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection will be offered in a dedicated 1-lot auction in Hong Kong on 8 October 2021, with an estimate in excess of HK$4,000,000 / US$500,000 / £350,000, as part of Sotheby’s Hong Kong autumn sales series. The sale allows for online advance bidding open to a global audience.
(*Citation 1: IWSR 2014-2019, Cohort: 20 single malts CAGR 14-19 30% or % change 14-19 371% by value. Citation 2: Rare Whisky 101: The 2020 Full Year Collectors and Investors Single Malt Scotch Review.)