Prince Charles issued his Royal Warrant to Laphroaig in 1994 and the crest is used as a date marker for collectors.
Laphroaig received a Royal Warrant from HRH Prince Charles (now King Charles III) in 1994. The royal warrant is therefore used as a marker for collectors looking to date bottles of Laphroaig without a vintage—and particularly the core range releases. As pre-royal warrant bottles are from before 1994 they usually command a premium compared to modern releases. However there is a significant variation between 1990s pre-royal warrant bottles and those from the 1960s or earlier.
If you are looking to sell a bottle of pre-Royal Warrant Laphroaig then we can help. Read on for an analysis of the recent market for Pre-Royal Warrant bottles and use the form below to receive a free valuation and advice on how to sell your bottle in 2025.
Sell Your Whisky Today
Please use the form below to submit images of your bottle and receive a free, no-obligation valuation from a specialist auctioneer. We will also actively seek the highest offer from our network of private collectors to help you sell your whisky.
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Laphroaig Pre-Royal Warrant: Market Analysis
This analysis examines 97 auction results for Laphroaig Pre-Royal Warrant expressions across UK and EU markets from January 2024 to March 2025, revealing clear patterns in this increasingly collectible category.
A striking correlation exists between bottle age, format and pricing. The exceptionally rare 26 2/3 FL OZ bottles from the 1960s have achieved results of £1,600 to £3,600, demonstrating strong collector appeal. The more recent 1980s 75cl bottles typically achieve £400 to £850 depending on condition and specific labeling. The early 1990s pre-royal warrant releases are more commonly seen at auction and this is reflected in their price point around £150 to £360.
Significant price variations exist between different expressions. The 15 Year Old Pre-Royal Warrant bottlings commanded premiums of approximately 30-50% over their 10 Year Old counterparts from comparable periods. Signed bottles have shown minimal premium value, suggesting collector focus remains on bottle rarity rather than provenance.
Format significantly impacts pricing, with the increasingly scarce 1-litre bottles typically commanding a 20-30% premium over standard 70cl/75cl releases. The larger format US imports and Italian/European special imports demonstrate additional collector appeal.
UK auction houses generally achieve stronger results than their European counterparts, with particularly robust pricing for older and larger format bottles. Temporal variations are evident, with peak prices typically occurring during summer and autumn sales.
For collectors who acquired these bottles several years ago, current market conditions remain excellent for selling. The steady appreciation of Pre-Royal Warrant expressions since early 2024 suggests continued growth potential as the finite supply of these historic bottlings continues to diminish.
How to Sell Your Laphroaig Pre-Royal Warrant?
As the data above shows, it is important to choose the right time and place to sell a pre-Royal Warrant bottle of Laphroaig. Not all auctions can generate the same results and choosing the right place to sell is important.
If you complete the contact form above, we can connect you with a specialist auctioneer who will provide a free, no-obligation valuation and expert advice on selling your bottle. The best whisky auctioneers will offer a free of charge collection service if you have a number of bottles, or even offer access to their own courier service if you just have a few.
Auctions often take place each month and commission varies from 5-10%+VAT and listing fees. The benefits of auction are a near guaranteed sale (if the reserve is sensible) and a quick payout after the sale. The auctioneer will advise on a suitable reserve in advance of the sale.
Alternatively, you may consider selling to a retailer. However, retailers typically offer around 30–50% of their listed price due to factors like VAT, corporation tax, and slow stock turnover, which can impact their buying decisions more than you might expect. If you sell to a retailer you will be expected to post the bottle to them yourself, although they might help with this too. Payment terms will be quick, but you will likely have to contact around 5-10 retailers to ensure you get the best possible price.
What Is Your Whisky Worth
Do you want to know what your whisky is worth but don’t know where to start?
Use these guides to help you.
What Is Your Whisky Worth? – An in-depth look at the factors affecting your bottle’s value.
A Beginner’s Guide To Selling Whisky – Everything you need to get started selling your whisky including all the online selling options.
How To Sell Whisky Online – A guide to getting a valuations and selling your whisky.
Sell Your Whisky Today – A simple way to sell your whisky fast.
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