Man’s 4,000 bottle mini whiskey collection to fetch $47,000 at auction

By Bradley Stokes via SWNS

A man who has collected 4,000 miniature bottles of whisky despite hating the taste was left stunned to be told they could now fetch $47,465 (£35,000) at auction.

Brian Marshall began amassing the spirits almost 40 years ago during the 1980s and has sourced them from as far as America, Iraq, Uruguay and Australia.

His 4,000-strong hoard of booze, almost exclusively Scotch, is now set to go under the hammer later this month.

“I never had any aim in mind. I thought it all might be worth about £8,000 at the most, so I was flabbergasted when I heard it might fetch up to £35,000," he said.

Brian, who says he finds the taste of whisky "horrible," has collected enough miniatures to fill 130 boxes in the garage of his home in Kettering, England.

“I don’t even like the stuff," he said.

Brian began collecting whisky when a pal at Kettering Crematorium, where he worked, suggested doing so and began planning holidays around his new hobby.

“A friend from work at Kettering Crematorium who was collecting full-size bottles suggested I collect miniatures and it started from there," he said.

"But it took on a life of its own because I started planning my holidays in Scotland around it.

"Most of the bottles are from the 1980s and 1990s because the distilleries stopped making as many miniatures after that. It’s an era that’s gone, but there used to be so many great whisky shops up there.

"There was one in particular in Aviemore in the Cairngorms where I got to know the man who ran it and would stay and chat for two or three hours at a time.

"But when my mates asked why I collect whisky miniatures when I don’t even like the taste, I used to say, ‘well you buy cigarettes and at the end of the week all you have is a pile of ash, but I have my beautiful bottles to look at.'

The collection will be auctioned in two online sales by Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, England.

"There were a few I struggled to part with including my 120 bottles of Ballantine’s. I had to get one sent from Uruguay to complete that set so it would be nice if they stay in a cabinet for someone to enjoy looking at," Brian said.

"The only ones I’ve kept are a Rutherford’s Rolls Royce themed one and a set with every player from the 1968 Manchester United European Cup winning team.”

The first auction is currently live online and closes on November 14. The second sale will go live on November 26 and close on December 12.

“We are very much looking forward to auctioning Brian's incredible collection," saidGildings’ director and wine, whisky and spirits specialist Will Gilding.

“With the fantastic gems on offer, connoisseurs and those looking for the perfect stocking filler for the whisky drinker in their life can be grateful that Brian’s passion lies in collecting rather than tasting whisky.

The lots include presentation packs issued by Signatory Vintage of 1966 vintage whiskies, such as Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Macallan.

There is also 120 bottlings of Ballantine’s whisky – each with a different label from around the globe - and a suite of bottlings from the Mini Bottle Club UK.

"Due to the sheer volume of the collection and the rare examples within it, we anticipate it will make between £25,000 and £35,000 over the course of the two auctions," Will said.

“As the most sought-after full-sized bottles of whisky regularly sell in the hundreds or even thousands at auction, this is an ideal opportunity for people to try something new without risk or to treat themselves to something special at a comparatively affordable price."