A Single Barrel of Michter’s 10-Year Bourbon Just Fetched Over $200,000 At Auction

Michter's 10-Year Bourbon.

A privately selected single barrel of Michter’s 10-Year Bourbon was auctioned for record prices in London this weekend, raising a $209,462 (or 166,000 pounds) for 50 Best for Recovery, helping bars and restaurants around the world in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is the highest price ever paid at an auction for a single barrel of Bourbon anywhere in the world, far exceeding previous records,” said Justin Sloan, Co-Founder of Justins’ House of Bourbon and the world’s foremost expert on rare and exclusive Kentucky Bourbon.

“Michter’s is committed to doing everything possible to support bar and restaurant professionals during this unimaginably difficult time,” said Matt Magliocco, Michter’s Executive Vice President, adding, “While we do not offer private barrel selections as a standard policy, we made an exception for this immensely important initiative. The results are a testament to the global community of Michter’s collectors, who stepped up massively to support the hospitality sector in its period of greatest need. We commend the organizers of 50 Best for Recovery for their extraordinary efforts to make this auction so impactful.”

The first ever bottle of Michter’s 24-Year Bourbon raised over $15,000.

The rare barrel wasn’t the only item donated by the distillery. Other lots included the first ever Michter’s 24-Year Bourbon, which fetched over $15,000, a one-of-a-kind pairing dinner with Master Distiller Dan McKee that raised over $8,000, and a two-day tour immersive distilling experience that went for almost $5,000. In total, the items and experiences donated by Michter’s raised $271,859.

This weekend’s 50 Best for Recovery auction was organized by William Reed, the parent company of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars.

“At William Reed, we are grateful to be able to work with terrific donors like Michter’s and raise funds to benefit the restaurant and bar community at this historically challenging period. The highlight of the auction was the Michter’s private barrel bottling,” commented Charles Reed, CEO of William Reed.

Link here to see all lots from the auction.

Caroline Paulus
Caroline Paulus is the Senior Editor for The Bourbon Review. She lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky. Follow her on Instagram @misswhiskeyhistorian to keep up with her latest in bourbon news - and a few old finds, too.