The joy of owning a bottle of old-age whiskey is something only true aficionados can really appreciate. Collecting this beautiful, distilled alcoholic drink is a hobby that is increasing at an astronomical rate these days. Millionaires and billionaires find it amusing to possess an bottle of whiskey just for the bragging right. But the delicious taste doesn’t hurt either.
There was a time in American history when people in Pennsylvania used bottles of whiskey as a medium of currency. The good ol’ days, if you will. Now they are an investment.
The value-added factors in an exquisite-priced whiskey are its mature age, quality, taste, magnificent decanters, and lastly the quality casks and barrels in which they have aged.
Now, let’s get straight into the most expensive whiskey ever prepared and sold in the world.
1. Isabella’s Islay Whiskey – 6.4 Million USD
Encased in jewels, Isabella’s Islay Whiskey is said to have set sky-high records in the whiskey world.
This whiskey is an exorbitant product of Luxury Beverage Company and is quite exotic and royal. The luxurious decanter has 8500 finest diamonds, white gold, and about 300 rubies and holds a very old barrel-aged scotch whiskey inside!
2. The Macallan 1926 Whiskey – 2.3 Million USD
Having a second spot on the list of most expensive whiskey, the Macallan 1926 Whiskey was barreled in 1926 in ex-sherry casks.
This ultimate whiskey was bottled in 1986 and a total of 40 bottles were all set to be on the market.
Sotheby’s called for an auction of the 1926 whiskey in London and a private buyer bid it at a whopping $2.3 Million.
3. The Emerald Isle Whiskey Collection – 2 Million USD
To make this a collection worthy of being sought-after the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. collaborated with the Fabergé, the finest of jewelers.
The collection is inspired by ‘Seven Wonders of Ireland’ and includes seven unique and sophisticated pieces. A few of those are a pastel green Celtic Egg made from 18k gold, a 22k gold encased Fabergé watch jeweled with sapphires, and not forgetting the exquisite whiskey. The whiskey has a barrel age of thirty years and has a blend of rich flavors like chocolate, butter, brine, and hints of tobacco.
4. Macallan Michael Dillon 1926 Whiskey – 1.53 Million USD
Exclusively hand-painted by Michael Dillion, an Irish artist, the bottle became one-of-its-kind and was sold at Fortnum & Mason in London in 1999 for a staggering $1.5 million.
It is called ‘Holy Grail’ for a reason!
As the whiskey is from the 1926 barrel, the painting on the bottle depicts the old era of the Scottish Highlands. Truly a piece for aficionados to be sought-after!
5. Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series of Whiskey – 1.52 Million USD
The fifth most expensive whiskey comprises Hanyu Ichiro’s full series. The 54 bottles, part of the series, contain Scotch-style malt whisky. It is one of the most sophisticated whiskey series and portrays a deck of cards.
The series was placed at Bonhams’ auction site in Hong Kong namely Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky. Before that, they were placed in a bar that belonged to Aaron Chen.
6. Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 Whiskey – 1.1 Million USD
The sixty-year-old elusive barrel#263 of Macallan is the reason behind the Macallan whiskey products that made it to our list.
The bottle is named after Valerio Adami, the Italian painter behind this luxurious piece.
This bottle reflects Adami’s excellence in the graphic style of painting. A little history of the whiskey includes that Adami was commissioned to paint twelve pieces of the bottle and it was the last piece among the 12th. One of the bottles got lost during the 2011 Japanese earthquake. Recently in 2020, the bottle was placed on auction, and 1,642 admirers sought after the whiskey bottle. Later, it became the most expensive whiskey ever sold on auction as the highest bid was £825,000.
7. The Macallan Lalique Legacy Collection – 993,000 USD
This Macallan Lalique Legacy Collection includes six prestigious decanters having whiskey aging as old as fifty to sixty-five years. This coveted series took almost ten years for its creation and Macallan had collaborated with Lalique Maison, a French crystal maker.
The Legacy Collection’s specialty and uniqueness are attributed to the fact that it contains six Macallan Fine and Rare miniatures along with six glasses by Lalique.
In April 2017 the Macallan x Lalique Legacy Collection was set for auction in Hong Kong by Sotheby’s.
