Where can I buy Imperial whisky at auction?

Imperial appears most often at Scotch Whisky Auctions (2 lots in the last 24 months, median £390 hammer). Also try .

What's the average hammer price for Imperial?

Across 2+ auction outcomes in the last 24 months, the median hammer price for Imperial is £390. Individual bottles range widely — the live catalogue at /distillery/imperial shows full price history per expression.

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

Insufficient seasonality data for Imperial yet.

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 Imperial at auction

2 recent Imperial lots tracked across six major auction houses. Median hammer: £390. This page shows where it sells, when it's cheapest, and what you actually pay after buyer's premium.

Where Imperial sells

Auction-house breakdown for Imperial — 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	2	£390	12%

Recent Imperial 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
Imperial 1995 23 Year Old Whisky Exchange Show 2019 Release	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£240	1 Jul 26
SMWS 65.6 Imperial 1989 30 Year Old Vaults Collection	Scotch Whisky Auctions	£540	25 Jun 26

Buyer's checklist for Imperial

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 Imperial

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

Track Imperial price changes — free for 3 bottles

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