Only once since 1920, when that horrid episode in American history known as Prohibition began, have rare spirits been auctioned in New York. Now at last Christie’s is stepping in to mend the breach with an impeccable selection of precious strong waters in its Fine Wines and Spirits sale taking place on November 14. Some $2 million worth will cross the auction block, including over 40 lots of carefully-curated whisky, bourbon, cognac, armagnac, and rum, plus a fine crop of champagne. The starring attraction is the exceedingly rare 1964 Bowmore Trilogy of single malts, direct from the Bowmore distillery on Islay.

Offered in the U.S. for the very first time, the Bowmore Trilogy, comprised of White, Black and Gold Bowmore, is estimated at $18,000 - $24,000. Something of a holy grail for Scotch drinkers, the elixir was matured below sea level in the storied distillery’s celebrated Number 1 vault for 44 years. Also not to be missed is the Ardbeg Double Barrel, a two-bottle lot sourced from two 1974 whisky barrels in a bespoke leather guncase with eight solid silver cups, estimated at $15,000 - $20,000. Among the other highlights: a 100 year old armagnac from Baron de Sigognac ($2,000 - $3,000) and a ceramic demijohn of British Imperial Rum sourced from the last remaining stores of the Royal Navy, estimated at $4,500 - $6,000.