Whiskey, as both a cultural icon and palate stimulating experience, runs the gamut from gut rot to one of the most refined drinks money can buy (though it can require a lot of money). Only wine aficionados rival whiskey connoisseurs for their elevated standards and somewhat airy appetites. A great whiskey can be as much a revelation for the taste buds as any wonderful experience.
And such transcendent experiences, alas, can cost a pretty penny. So we answer the question, what is the most expensive whiskey? First we have to distinguish between the standard retail price and the highest price. The highest priced bottles of whiskey ever sold have been sold at auction. Such events are unique moments, embedded in particular circumstances and specific variables, which can never be precisely recreated again. All prices are subject to change, of course, but an auction price is especially volatile as a referent to future prices.
Watch for our article on the most expensive whiskey retail prices. It offers information for the whiskey connoisseur that is more relevant to actual market prices. Here, we simply engage in the vicarious fun ride of seeing just how crazy a price some have been willing to pay, under very particular circumstances, for a bottle of the most expensive whiskey. (And, as you'll see, the emphasis on "bottle" is not an idle qualification.) In order from least to most, the top five most expensive whiskey bottles ever sold are listed below for your edification and amusement.
5. Glenfiddich 1937 - $20,000
Fans of the great 90s film Swingers may recall with affection the scene in which Mike is attempting to make a good impression and rather importantly attempts to order a scotch: "Single malt, Glen Livet, Glen Galley...perhaps...any Glen." We're happy to let Mikey know that indeed a "Glen" does make the top five. This 1937 distillation, from their Scottish plant, has resulted in a divine whiskey which has benefited from being allowed to age gracefully. In 2001 it produced 61 bottles. The pricey bottle of note for our purposes was bought at a charity auction in New York in 2006.
4. Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch Matheson - $58,000
Our number four spot on the list shows a dramatic jump in price for the number five spot. It is nearly three times the price! This Dalmore is noteworthy for its blend of four single malt whiskeys, each of them with diverse distillation dates. A mere 12 bottles were produced. Each one was given a distinctive name. The one that eventually was to claim the #4 spot on our list was named after the Dalmore estate owner, Alexander Matheson. The Matheson was anonymously purchased in 2005. Word on the whiskey-aficionado-street has it that the new owner of this velvety whiskey promptly cracked it open to polish off among some friends. We hope it's true.
3. Macallan 1926 - $75,000
Macallan makes its initial appearance on our list of top 5 most expensive whiskey bottles sold in the third spot. Here is an item that illustrates the Job-like patience of superior whiskey distillers. Distilled in 1926 this excellent whiskey was not bottled until 1986. Those 60 years later, the distillation produced only 40 bottles. Of special note, this whiskey is famous for how dry and concentrated it is. This quality is a result of there being no water added to it. In 2005 a South Korean businessman bought the monumentally priced bottle of this remarkable whiskey. Alas, I cannot attest to what he has done with it.
2. Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955 - $94,000
Ah, did you really think that was going to be the only Glenfiddich? Fooled you! Oh, no, Glenfiddich in fact steals the number two spot on our list with a Scotch whisky that has been aging in the barrel since New Year's Eve of 1955. The 15 bottles from this barrel were produced in honor of Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of Glenfiddich's founder, who in her 110th year pass away. The family is said to have hung onto four of those bottles. The rest are known to have been auctioned. The bottle that puts this floral, fruity whiskey in our second spot was purchased at auction by an Atlanta whiskey connoisseur for $94,000.
1. Macallan 1946 - $460,000
Finally, last, but oh so far from least, is this famous bottle of Macallan. This case is a perfect example of the qualifications noted above about the uniqueness of circumstances creating prices that should not be overly depended upon as guides to the cost of future purchases. A large part of the appeal of this particular bottle of single malt whiskey was the beautiful LaliqueCire Perdue decanter. It is hard to say exactly how much the presenting bottle raised the price, but it was likely significant. Also, the fact that the proceeds were going to charity no doubt had some affect upon the bidding.
With all that said, though, we shouldn't take anything away from the quality of the actual whiskey. It is without question one of the best whiskeys from one of the world leading whiskey distillers. Nonetheless, more than a few eyes were popping when it finally sold for $460,000 in 2010. This Forbes video produced in anticipation of the then upcoming auction is pretty interesting.
And such transcendent experiences, alas, can cost a pretty penny. So we answer the question, what is the most expensive whiskey? First we have to distinguish between the standard retail price and the highest price. The highest priced bottles of whiskey ever sold have been sold at auction. Such events are unique moments, embedded in particular circumstances and specific variables, which can never be precisely recreated again. All prices are subject to change, of course, but an auction price is especially volatile as a referent to future prices.
Watch for our article on the most expensive whiskey retail prices. It offers information for the whiskey connoisseur that is more relevant to actual market prices. Here, we simply engage in the vicarious fun ride of seeing just how crazy a price some have been willing to pay, under very particular circumstances, for a bottle of the most expensive whiskey. (And, as you'll see, the emphasis on "bottle" is not an idle qualification.) In order from least to most, the top five most expensive whiskey bottles ever sold are listed below for your edification and amusement.
5. Glenfiddich 1937 - $20,000
Fans of the great 90s film Swingers may recall with affection the scene in which Mike is attempting to make a good impression and rather importantly attempts to order a scotch: "Single malt, Glen Livet, Glen Galley...perhaps...any Glen." We're happy to let Mikey know that indeed a "Glen" does make the top five. This 1937 distillation, from their Scottish plant, has resulted in a divine whiskey which has benefited from being allowed to age gracefully. In 2001 it produced 61 bottles. The pricey bottle of note for our purposes was bought at a charity auction in New York in 2006.
4. Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch Matheson - $58,000
Our number four spot on the list shows a dramatic jump in price for the number five spot. It is nearly three times the price! This Dalmore is noteworthy for its blend of four single malt whiskeys, each of them with diverse distillation dates. A mere 12 bottles were produced. Each one was given a distinctive name. The one that eventually was to claim the #4 spot on our list was named after the Dalmore estate owner, Alexander Matheson. The Matheson was anonymously purchased in 2005. Word on the whiskey-aficionado-street has it that the new owner of this velvety whiskey promptly cracked it open to polish off among some friends. We hope it's true.
3. Macallan 1926 - $75,000
Macallan makes its initial appearance on our list of top 5 most expensive whiskey bottles sold in the third spot. Here is an item that illustrates the Job-like patience of superior whiskey distillers. Distilled in 1926 this excellent whiskey was not bottled until 1986. Those 60 years later, the distillation produced only 40 bottles. Of special note, this whiskey is famous for how dry and concentrated it is. This quality is a result of there being no water added to it. In 2005 a South Korean businessman bought the monumentally priced bottle of this remarkable whiskey. Alas, I cannot attest to what he has done with it.
2. Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955 - $94,000
Ah, did you really think that was going to be the only Glenfiddich? Fooled you! Oh, no, Glenfiddich in fact steals the number two spot on our list with a Scotch whisky that has been aging in the barrel since New Year's Eve of 1955. The 15 bottles from this barrel were produced in honor of Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of Glenfiddich's founder, who in her 110th year pass away. The family is said to have hung onto four of those bottles. The rest are known to have been auctioned. The bottle that puts this floral, fruity whiskey in our second spot was purchased at auction by an Atlanta whiskey connoisseur for $94,000.
1. Macallan 1946 - $460,000
Finally, last, but oh so far from least, is this famous bottle of Macallan. This case is a perfect example of the qualifications noted above about the uniqueness of circumstances creating prices that should not be overly depended upon as guides to the cost of future purchases. A large part of the appeal of this particular bottle of single malt whiskey was the beautiful LaliqueCire Perdue decanter. It is hard to say exactly how much the presenting bottle raised the price, but it was likely significant. Also, the fact that the proceeds were going to charity no doubt had some affect upon the bidding.
With all that said, though, we shouldn't take anything away from the quality of the actual whiskey. It is without question one of the best whiskeys from one of the world leading whiskey distillers. Nonetheless, more than a few eyes were popping when it finally sold for $460,000 in 2010. This Forbes video produced in anticipation of the then upcoming auction is pretty interesting.
About the Author:
To stay up to speed on the rising trends in up-scale whiskey, follow Mickey Jhonny's posts on the Most Expensive Whiskey blog. He's also written a great article on the role of high end whiskey and other old school charms in the success of the hit TV show Mad Men: The Don Draper Haircut and the Cool of Mad Men
