When was the last time you sipped Whisky? How much did it cost?
When we talk about Whisky, there is an exciting history behind it. Back in the 18th century in America, it was the most preferred currency. Even now, if you ask to choose one between gold and
Whisky, they would select whiskey!
One more interesting fact about whiskies is that they are expensive not because of quality or flavor but because of their vessels. If it is quality or taste, there are tons to discover. Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive whisky in the world.
Top 10 Most Expensive Whisky In The World
Isabella’s Islay-$6.2 million
Isabella’s Islay is the most expensive bottle of whiskey in the world you have ever heard of. It has an estimated price tag of USD 6.2 million. It originated from the island of Islay. Its name is diamond studded on the bottle, and it contains one of the finest whiskies ever.
Now you might be surprised. Why would anyone pay USD 6.2 million to buy just a Whisky? Well, it’s not only the whiskey but the bottle. This bottle features 8500 diamonds, 300 rubies with striking and super shiny white gold. It is the epitome of luxury Scotch.
This brand contains rare and high-quality grains. It is a single malt Scotch which is 30 years old. The bottle shows outstanding craftsmanship that makes it the most well-designed bottle. Even if you search for this luxury Scotch whisky without its bottle, it will still be expensive.
The Macallan 1926- $1.5 million
Macallan, 60 years old, sells for a staggering amount of USD 1.5 million.
Whisky belongs to 24 bottles limited edition series. It’s hard to find this Whisky at ordinary auctions.
Valerio Adami designed half the bottles while Peter Blake did the other half. Macallan’s distilled it in 1926. It was kept in a bottle in 1986, just after 60 years. At that time, only 40 bottles were prepared.
Distillers stored it in ex-sherry casks in Scotland for around six decades. They only prepare a few bottles every year, which is why it comes under the most expensive Whisky in the world.
Every bottle is hand-painted by artist Michael Dillon. Enjoying a drink while watching beautiful hand-painted scenery, nothing can be a better combo than this! This combination of art and intoxication makes drinkers pay USD 1.5 million for just one bottle. The master of Macallan distiller David Robertson tasted it. He found it quite intense, fruity, dry with a little warm flavor of spice.
The Macallan 64 in Lalique Cute Perdue
This drink’s name may sound a little different for you, but it is unique as it contains three different types of whiskies. These whiskeys are coming from Spanish oak barrels of age 1942, 1945, and 1946. This Whisky is around 64 years old.
Finding one bottle of this Whisky is a little tricky as it is rarely available. The last time we saw it was in a 2010 auction. There it priced USD 464,000. This auction was at Sotheby’s in New York.
This Whisky has acquired its place in Guinness World record for most expensive Whisky at auction. The decanter of this Whisky is a crystal made which glassmaker Lalique exclusively designed. Because of its decanter, it has been the most sought-after Whisky.
Springbank 1919
Springbank 1919 is one of the costliest Whiskeys that age over 50 years. You can purchase it online. Springbank 1919 is a single malt Scotch whisky that has a whisky exchange distributor. You can get this Whisky at your doorstep.
It is present at costly auctions. You will rarely find it at local expensive wine stores. This Whisky has also grabbed its place among the most expensive Whisky in the world in the Guinness World records.
Springbank put this old distilled drink in a bottle in 1970. It came in the vintage series in 1919, and that’s where it took the name. Until today you can find it under the most popular whiskey bottles. When it comes to preparation, they have tried the best to keep it traditional. This preparation method is why it is of so much high value. Unfortunately, this is a limited edition whisky with just 24 bottles to date.
Dalmore 62 Matheson
In 1942, 12 bottles of the Dalmore 62 were released, and each bottle was unique in its place. They were all taken from the Dalmore estate, but each has a unique name. Matheson is the most expensive among them. Alexander Matheson, who is the owner of the estate, gave his name to the whisky.
It has the blending power of Scottish highlands from 1939, 1926, 1876, and 1868. Each of them contributes to making this Matheson whisky rare and expensive. You must be curious about its age. The fact that it’s more than a century old can surprise you! You can assume it to be dated back to the mid 19th century.
What makes it cost USD 250,000? Of course, it’s a decanter. The decanter is pure platinum and an expensive crystal. The wooden mold alone, required to create the decanter, took more than 100 hours to be ready. And its cost was not anywhere less than a quarter-million dollars.
The single malt used in this Whisky has the fragrance of sun-kissed raisins, a bit of chocolate, Java coffee, demerara sugar, pecan pie, old English marmalade, and much more that we hardly hear.
Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955
Here is another whiskey on the list. Only one bottle cost USD 94,000 in 2012. This was available at an auction in New York. Back then, it came under the most expensive bottles of Whisky.
This Whisky has ingredients like barley, pear, heather, and some other rarely found things. This Whisky is not expensive because of its decanter but because it is 50 years old. Only one bottle was sold for USD 94,000 at an auction in New York City in 1955.
William Grant founded Glenfiddich. He has a granddaughter named Janet Sheed, after whose name this label comes. At the time, only 11 bottles were released. This Whisky has a combination of woody oak with pleasant flavor and traces of hay pear, heather with spice notes.
It has a nutmeg finish with a hint of cured meat. It is pale and colored like hue barley.
Chivas Regal 50-Year-Old Royal Salute
This Whisky is royal because it has been used for the royal family. Suppose we are talking about Queen Elizabeth. In 2002 this Whisky was released to celebrate Elizabeth 2’s Golden Jubilee. At one place, the Queen accessed the throne while this whiskey laid in a barrel. Now it is 50 years old, and one bottle costs $10,000.
DALMORE 64 Trinitas
The Trinitas is a whiskey blend from 1868, 1878, 1926, and 1939. It is a single malt whisky, and only pure single malts can mature to as high as 50 years. Just three bottles have been released to date, out of which only one is available. A USA’s private collector collected one bottle. The other bottle is in the company’s collection. Only one bottle costs a whopping USD 160,000.
Glenfiddich 1937
It is a rarely available single malt Scotch whisky. It is interesting because of notes of molasses, chocolate, burnt heather with some oak. It has cedar notes too.
This vintage comes from a 1937 cask. It means it was destroyed in 1937 and since then it was aging gracefully until 2001. Only 60 bottles are available at this time on auctions. They offer exquisite composition. This Whisky has rich walnut color because of cedar, cinnamon, toffee, and cloves. Guess the highest price they have been sold? USD 71,000 in 2012.
Macallan 55-year-old
This Macallan 55 year old was aged in a sherry oak barrel for distillation. After that, they put it inside a Lalique crystal decanter. Now it is more than 55 years old. Rene Lalique created this decanter. Before bottling this Whisky, he has also crafted a perfume bottle similar to this. It costs not less than $12,500.
Final Say
Now you have read and know about the most expensive Whisky in the world. Whiskeys are expensive or not, depending on their decanter and their age. As they are too old, they are very rarely available.
Assuming their price based on the flavor can be a bad idea. A very expensive whisky may be so bitter!
It is the decanter that attracts consumers. This is why wooden casks and crystal-studded decanters are priced so higher than oak barrels. If something is left uncovered, we would appreciate your comments.