The Macallan 1926 to Head Sotheby’s First Auction at The Macallan Estate

Sotheby's will hold an auction at The Macallan Estate in Speyside on 9 October 2026. Sotheby's describes the sale as the first auction ever held at a Scotch whisky distillery. The event marks 100 years since the spirit that became The Macallan 1926 was distilled.

The headline lot: The Macallan 1926

Artist-decorated bottles and provenance

The distillery itself has consigned several special lots:

• Old: A spirit laid down in 1940, estimated at £90,000–£140,000. Its laying-down date coincides with a period shortly before the distillery temporarily closed during the Second World War.

• Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection: A complete set of six decanters (50–65 years ages) with an estimate of £260,000–£350,000.

• Macallan in Lalique Golden Age of Travel Ocean Liner (1937 vintage): Offered for the first time at Sotheby's, estimated at £30,000–£60,000.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby's Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, described the event as a landmark for whisky collecting. Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, called hosting the sale a very special milestone for the brand and noted the Estate is where The Macallan's story began.

Watch for the final hammer price on the Fine and Rare 1926 relative to recent Macallan records, the result for the Romantica Collection set, and sale results for the high-age, artist-decorated and Lalique pieces. The lot mix—private collections plus estate consignment—could influence prices and bidding behaviour.