One of the world's rarest whiskies, a bottle of Brora single malt distilled in 1972, has fetched almost £15,000 at auction in Hong Kong.

The single bottle is Brora's oldest official whisky from its "golden-age" of distillery and has been ageing for more than 44 years in an ex-sherry butt in Scotland.

An unnamed buyer secured the bottle with a £14,534 bid at the Bonhams sale.

Richard Walker, global head of malts at Diageo, said: "The 1972 Brora is an exquisite single malt with unparalleled history and heritage.

"It represents the pinnacle of Diageo's single malt Scotch whisky reserves and appeals to epicureans, collectors and investors alike.

"With connoisseurs all over the world aspiring to have a 1972 Brora on their shelves, we decided to give whisky lovers a rare opportunity to bid for this one-off bottle.

"The fact that it has been sold for over the estimated price speaks volumes about its allure."

Martin Green, Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, said: "This was a very special bottle of whisky - a true one-off - and I am not surprised that it was contested so fiercely nor that it sold for such an impressive price."