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.
It is a fact, though, that these memorable experiences do not come cheap. On the contrary, such pleasure can be rather dear, indeed. This fact seems inevitably to raise the question, just what is the most expensive whiskey, anyway? An initial approximation to answering the question has to start by noting the difference between the retail price and the highest price. The priciest bottles of whiskey were those sold at auction. Any auction, though, of course, is a unique instant. It occurs within the context of entirely unique circumstances. Such specific a set of variables will be never exactly recreated again. Naturally, prices, by their very nature are volatile, but auction prices are then all the less reliable as indicators of future value.
Watch for our article on the most expensive whiskey retail prices, which provides more useful information for the whiskey connoisseur - who'll actually want to drink their purchase. Here, we simply serve the curiosity of those fascinated with momentous occasions. The five most expensive whiskey sales, in ascending order follows. And if you can afford to pay more for a bottle of whiskey than most people pay to buy a house, maybe there's tips for future consideration, here - or maybe not.
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
From there the price jumps up rather dramatically - nearly tripling in cost. The Dalmore is blended from four single malt whiskies with diverse dates of distillation. This 1942 distillation only produced a mere 12 bottles. The most expensive of this dozen was named after the Dalmore estate owner, Alexander Matheson. This Matheson bottle was anonymously purchased in 2005. We're happy to report that rumor has it that the new owner of the velvety whiskey wasted no time in cracking it open among some friends and promptly finishing it off. We hope it's true.
3. Macallan 1926 - $75,000
Macallan's first appearance in our top 5 most expensive whiskey bottles sold list comes in at number three. This item is an impressive testament to the Herculean patience of elite whiskey producers. It was distilled in 1926, but wasn't finally bottled until 1986, when a mere 40 bottles were filled. It is notoriously dry and concentrated as a consequence of the complete absence of added water. A South Korean businessman bought the monumentally priced bottle in 2005. I have no news on what he did with it.
2. Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955 - $94,000
Did we fool you? Thought that that whole elaborate Swingers reference meant there was only one "Glen" on the list? Not at all. Glenfiddich, not to be held down to a mere fifth place, runs away with the number two spot on our list. This is a remarkable Scotch whisky that has been barrel aged since New Year's Eve of 1955. The 15 bottles resulting from the distillation were cast in honor of Janet Sheed Roberts, on the occasion of her passing at 110 years old. She was the granddaughter of the Glenfiddich founder and so the family retained four of these heritage bottles. The rest were put up to auction. The specific bottle that wins our runner up spot was purchased by an Atlanta whiskey connoisseur for the mighty impressive sum of $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.
It is a fact, though, that these memorable experiences do not come cheap. On the contrary, such pleasure can be rather dear, indeed. This fact seems inevitably to raise the question, just what is the most expensive whiskey, anyway? An initial approximation to answering the question has to start by noting the difference between the retail price and the highest price. The priciest bottles of whiskey were those sold at auction. Any auction, though, of course, is a unique instant. It occurs within the context of entirely unique circumstances. Such specific a set of variables will be never exactly recreated again. Naturally, prices, by their very nature are volatile, but auction prices are then all the less reliable as indicators of future value.
Watch for our article on the most expensive whiskey retail prices, which provides more useful information for the whiskey connoisseur - who'll actually want to drink their purchase. Here, we simply serve the curiosity of those fascinated with momentous occasions. The five most expensive whiskey sales, in ascending order follows. And if you can afford to pay more for a bottle of whiskey than most people pay to buy a house, maybe there's tips for future consideration, here - or maybe not.
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
From there the price jumps up rather dramatically - nearly tripling in cost. The Dalmore is blended from four single malt whiskies with diverse dates of distillation. This 1942 distillation only produced a mere 12 bottles. The most expensive of this dozen was named after the Dalmore estate owner, Alexander Matheson. This Matheson bottle was anonymously purchased in 2005. We're happy to report that rumor has it that the new owner of the velvety whiskey wasted no time in cracking it open among some friends and promptly finishing it off. We hope it's true.
3. Macallan 1926 - $75,000
Macallan's first appearance in our top 5 most expensive whiskey bottles sold list comes in at number three. This item is an impressive testament to the Herculean patience of elite whiskey producers. It was distilled in 1926, but wasn't finally bottled until 1986, when a mere 40 bottles were filled. It is notoriously dry and concentrated as a consequence of the complete absence of added water. A South Korean businessman bought the monumentally priced bottle in 2005. I have no news on what he did with it.
2. Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955 - $94,000
Did we fool you? Thought that that whole elaborate Swingers reference meant there was only one "Glen" on the list? Not at all. Glenfiddich, not to be held down to a mere fifth place, runs away with the number two spot on our list. This is a remarkable Scotch whisky that has been barrel aged since New Year's Eve of 1955. The 15 bottles resulting from the distillation were cast in honor of Janet Sheed Roberts, on the occasion of her passing at 110 years old. She was the granddaughter of the Glenfiddich founder and so the family retained four of these heritage bottles. The rest were put up to auction. The specific bottle that wins our runner up spot was purchased by an Atlanta whiskey connoisseur for the mighty impressive sum of $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 keep on top of the hottest trends in luxury whiskey, follow Mickey Jhonny's posts on the Most Expensive Whiskey site. 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
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