Inside the Auction: Iconic Bottles, Bourbon Legends & the Thrill of the Bid

There’s a certain magic in watching an Aged in Oak auction unfold — that mix of anticipation, strategy, and a little luck as collectors from all over chase down the bottles that define bourbon history. This week’s auction lineup is one for the books, featuring some of the most iconic and hard-to-find names in whiskey: Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project, Weller 12, Van Winkle 12, Blanton’s Special Reserve, Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel, and Blanton’s Gold.
These aren’t bottles you stumble upon. They’re bottles you hunt for — and when you find them, they remind you why bourbon collecting is so addictive.
Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project
Part science experiment, part collector’s dream — the Single Oak Project represents one of the most ambitious undertakings in modern bourbon. Each bottle is a study in how small details—like wood grain, char level, and barrel seasoning—shape the final sip. Owning one is like owning a piece of whiskey history, bottled and ready to explore.
Weller 12 Year
Smooth, balanced, and endlessly talked about, Weller 12 holds a special place in the bourbon world. Its wheated mash bill gives it that rich, mellow depth that keeps collectors coming back year after year. Around here, we like to call it the bourbon that turns casual drinkers into serious fans.
Van Winkle 12 Year
When it comes to legendary bottles, few names carry more weight than Van Winkle. The 12 Year expression strikes a perfect balance between age and vibrancy — a rare pour that embodies craftsmanship, patience, and prestige. Whether it’s your first Van Winkle or one you’ve been chasing for years, this is a moment worth savoring.
Blanton’s Special Reserve
Blanton’s has earned its status as a global favorite for good reason, and the Special Reserve showcases its softer side. Lighter, slightly sweeter, and beautifully balanced, it’s an elegant expression of the Blanton’s profile — perfect for collectors who appreciate refinement over intensity.
Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel
If Special Reserve is subtle sophistication, Straight From the Barrel is pure power. Uncut and unfiltered, it offers all the intensity the barrel intended — bold spice, deep caramel, and an unforgettable finish. It’s one of those bottles that turns an ordinary pour into an experience.
Blanton’s Gold Edition
Consider this the crown jewel of the Blanton’s family. The Gold Edition combines beauty, rarity, and world-class flavor in a way few bottles can. It’s everything collectors chase: a refined palate, a stunning presentation, and the prestige that comes with owning something truly exclusive.
What Makes This Auction Special
At Aged in Oak, we’re proud to curate auctions that celebrate craftsmanship and connect collectors with the bottles that define bourbon culture. This lineup brings together heritage distilleries, limited releases, and expressions that showcase the artistry behind the label.
- Provenance & Prestige: Every bottle has a story — from single-barrel experiments to cult classics that shaped bourbon’s reputation worldwide.
- Collector’s Opportunity: These are bottles that rarely surface together in one place. For enthusiasts and investors alike, this is a chance to add cornerstone bottles to your collection.
- The Joy of the Bid: Our favorite part? Watching the community come alive — the late-night bids, the strategic refreshes, and that final winning moment when you know the bottle is yours.
Before You Bid
- Set Your Strategy: Know your limit, but also know your passion. Some bottles are worth the chase.
- Watch the Action: Big names attract big energy. Keep an eye on those last-minute jumps.
- Celebrate the Win: Whether you’re opening your bottle or displaying it proudly, each win is part of your collector’s story.
Each auction at Aged in Oak is more than a sale — it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and the stories behind every pour.
Raise your glass, place your bids, and enjoy the ride.
More Fresh Pours and Perspectives

Pappy Van Winkle, Reconsidered: A thoughtful look at the myths surrounding bourbon’s most iconic bottle

Pappy Van Winkle, Reconsidered: A thoughtful look at the myths surrounding bourbon’s most iconic bottle

’Tis the Season to Sip Smarter: Why the Holidays Are Prime Time for Bourbon Collectors

’Tis the Season to Sip Smarter: Why the Holidays Are Prime Time for Bourbon Collectors

Winter Warmers: Bourbon Cocktails to Cozy Up Your Holidays

Winter Warmers: Bourbon Cocktails to Cozy Up Your Holidays

Inside the December Auction: Weller Favorites, Rare Scotch Gems & Holiday-Ready Finds

Inside the December Auction: Weller Favorites, Rare Scotch Gems & Holiday-Ready Finds

The Best Bottles for Your Holiday Table (and the Type of Guest Who Pairs With Each)

The Best Bottles for Your Holiday Table (and the Type of Guest Who Pairs With Each)
.jpg)
The Great Whiskey Breakdown: What Separates Scotch from Bourbon (Besides Geography)
.jpg)
The Great Whiskey Breakdown: What Separates Scotch from Bourbon (Besides Geography)

Inside the Auction: Rare Scotch, Collector Trains & 200+ Bottles Ready for the Taking

Inside the Auction: Rare Scotch, Collector Trains & 200+ Bottles Ready for the Taking

The Bourbon Family Tree: Exploring the Branches of America’s Favorite Spirit

The Bourbon Family Tree: Exploring the Branches of America’s Favorite Spirit

From Distillery to Digital — How Bourbon Collecting Moved Online

From Distillery to Digital — How Bourbon Collecting Moved Online

Blanton’s Bourbon: History, Expressions, and the Hype Behind America’s Most Collectible Bourbon

Blanton’s Bourbon: History, Expressions, and the Hype Behind America’s Most Collectible Bourbon

Barrel Finishes 101: The Secret Influence of Wood

Barrel Finishes 101: The Secret Influence of Wood

Sip Local: Cedar Ridge Distillery Tasting at Aged in Oak

Sip Local: Cedar Ridge Distillery Tasting at Aged in Oak

Inside the Auction: Powerhouse Picks, Proof, and the Joy of the Bid

Inside the Auction: Powerhouse Picks, Proof, and the Joy of the Bid

The Thrill of No Reserve: Why These Bourbon Auctions Keep Collectors Coming Back

The Thrill of No Reserve: Why These Bourbon Auctions Keep Collectors Coming Back

The Thrill of No Reserve: Why These Bourbon Auctions Keep Collectors Coming Back

The Thrill of No Reserve: Why These Bourbon Auctions Keep Collectors Coming Back

What Bourbon Is Made From: The Art (and Law) Behind America’s Spirit

What Bourbon Is Made From: The Art (and Law) Behind America’s Spirit

The Ghosts of the Rickhouse: Haunted Legends of Bourbon Country

The Ghosts of the Rickhouse: Haunted Legends of Bourbon Country

Single Barrel vs. Small Batch: What’s the Difference (and Does It Matter?)

Single Barrel vs. Small Batch: What’s the Difference (and Does It Matter?)

Bottles with a Past: The Spooky Side of Bourbon History

Bottles with a Past: The Spooky Side of Bourbon History
.jpg)
Inside the Auction: Hidden Gems, Signed Bottles & Kentucky’s Finest
.jpg)
Inside the Auction: Hidden Gems, Signed Bottles & Kentucky’s Finest

The Bourbon Graveyard: Trends That Deserve to Rest in Peace

The Bourbon Graveyard: Trends That Deserve to Rest in Peace

How to Read a Bourbon Label Like a Pro: Decoding the secrets behind age, proof, and distillery details

How to Read a Bourbon Label Like a Pro: Decoding the secrets behind age, proof, and distillery details

Bringing Bourbon’s Heritage Home: How Aged in Oak captures the soul of Bardstown in the heart of Vernon Hills.

Bringing Bourbon’s Heritage Home: How Aged in Oak captures the soul of Bardstown in the heart of Vernon Hills.

Inside the Auction: Bourbon Legends, Cult Favorites, and the Hunt for Purple Reign

Inside the Auction: Bourbon Legends, Cult Favorites, and the Hunt for Purple Reign

The Bourbon Boom That Refused to Bust

The Bourbon Boom That Refused to Bust

Pour Decisions Made Easy: Our Approachable Guide to Bourbon Basics and Bottles Worth Starting With

Pour Decisions Made Easy: Our Approachable Guide to Bourbon Basics and Bottles Worth Starting With

Bourbon, Community, and a Little Rebellion: Why tastings are the hottest social scene of 2025

Bourbon, Community, and a Little Rebellion: Why tastings are the hottest social scene of 2025

The Bottle That Broke the Rules: The Story of Blanton’s Original Single Barrel

The Bottle That Broke the Rules: The Story of Blanton’s Original Single Barrel

A Toast to Hoptoberfest: New Faces, Great Bourbon, and Unforgettable Conversations

A Toast to Hoptoberfest: New Faces, Great Bourbon, and Unforgettable Conversations
.jpg)
Bourbon Through the Ages: The Stories Behind America’s Spirit
.jpg)
Bourbon Through the Ages: The Stories Behind America’s Spirit
.jpg)
Rare Bourbon, Signature Cocktails, and Community -- Find It All At Aged in Oak in Vernon Hills
.jpg)
Rare Bourbon, Signature Cocktails, and Community -- Find It All At Aged in Oak in Vernon Hills

Fall Into Flavor: Bourbon Recipes That Hit Harder Than Pumpkin Spice

Fall Into Flavor: Bourbon Recipes That Hit Harder Than Pumpkin Spice

What Your Go-To Pour Says About You: A Bourbon Personality Test You Didn’t Know You Needed

What Your Go-To Pour Says About You: A Bourbon Personality Test You Didn’t Know You Needed

From Still to Auction Block: How Bourbon Matures (And Why Oak Is Everything)

From Still to Auction Block: How Bourbon Matures (And Why Oak Is Everything)

Weller Bourbon: The People’s Pappy and the Wheated Whiskey That Broke the Market

Weller Bourbon: The People’s Pappy and the Wheated Whiskey That Broke the Market
.jpg)
Crown Jewel Bourbon Bottles: The Ultimate Collectible Whiskey for Serious Collectors
.jpg)
Crown Jewel Bourbon Bottles: The Ultimate Collectible Whiskey for Serious Collectors

How Global Market Trends Are Shaping the Whiskey Collectible Space in 2025

How Global Market Trends Are Shaping the Whiskey Collectible Space in 2025

Bid Boldly. Sip Exceptionally. Dominate the Auction.

Bid Boldly. Sip Exceptionally. Dominate the Auction.
.jpg)
We’re in the Daily Herald: Building a Bourbon Community in Vernon Hills
.jpg)
We’re in the Daily Herald: Building a Bourbon Community in Vernon Hills
.jpg)
From Shelf to Sip: The People Who Keep Bourbon Alive
.jpg)
From Shelf to Sip: The People Who Keep Bourbon Alive

The Hunt for the Holy Grail: Rare Bourbon Bottles That Define Collecting

The Hunt for the Holy Grail: Rare Bourbon Bottles That Define Collecting

Cash Out Without Selling Out: How to Consign Bourbon with Aged in Oak

Cash Out Without Selling Out: How to Consign Bourbon with Aged in Oak

Not Your Grandfather’s Bourbon: The Rise of the Next-Gen Collector

Not Your Grandfather’s Bourbon: The Rise of the Next-Gen Collector

When to Let Go: Knowing It’s Time to Consign Your Bourbon

When to Let Go: Knowing It’s Time to Consign Your Bourbon

The Gospel According to Pappy: Why This Bottle Rules the Bourbon Underworld
