New York – Christie’s New York Finest Wines and Spirits Including the Liberty Hall Museum Collection of Historic Madeira and an Extraordinary Collection of Pre-Prohibition Whiskey achieved a total of $3,015,521 with 81% sold by value and 81% sold by lot. The top lot of the sale was a 15-gallon demi john of Old Sercial Madeira, 1846, from The Liberty Hall Museum Collection of Historic Madeira, which sold for $39,200. Taking place concurrently was the Wine Online Sale (19 November – 5 December), which realized a total of $519,278 with 100% sold by value and 86% sold by lot.

Chris Munro, Head of Wine Department, Americas, comments: "Both of our featured collections of Madeira and Pre-Prohibition American Whiskey witnessed exceptional results. Clients from throughout the United States and around the globe fought to acquire these exceptionally rare lots.  The sale was a watershed moment for these incredibly rare and sought-after American whiskies as hammer prices smashed through our pre-sale estimates.”

Day Session, Lots 1-516, 10am

The day sale witnessed strong results for the remarkable collection of fine wines including rare Burgundy from renowned Domaines. Notable results included a full case of Château d’Yquem 1959 in its original Nicolas wooden case, which achieved $18,375, and a twelve bottle cases of Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed 1974 vintage in their original cartons, more than doubled its low estimate realizing $34,300. Additionally, the selection of wine from the personal cellar of Dr. Robert Maliner performed exceptionally well.

Evening Session, Lots 517-796, 6pm

The evening session included probably the greatest collection of historic Madeira and spirits ever to be offered for sale at auction in the United States. Led by The Liberty Hall Collection of Rare Madeira (lots 557-616), top lots included unique demi johns, recently discovered in the historic property in New Jersey, including an Old Sercial Madeira which sold for $39,200. The twenty single-bottle lots of the mythical, eighteenth century Lenox Madeira also performed with exceptional results.

The auction closed with an unprecedented collection of 100-year-old pre-prohibition whiskey belonging to Jean-Baptiste Leonis recently discovered on the West Coast (lots 744-787). Many lots exceeded initial estimates by multiples, including J. H. Beam Old Style Brookhill Sour Mash 1912, 9 quarts per lot, which realized $26,950, against a low estimate of $3,800.