A single bottle of whisky for $170,000? A unique distillation that you’ll need $80,000 to sample? Welcome to the world of high-end whisky, which will be on show at Sotheby’s in New York later this month.
Both of those tipples are from The Macallan, a real favourite with whisky collectors.
For $80,000 - that’s the top estimate on this bottle - you get something no-one else can have: a bottle prepared for charity with a unique process to produce a one-off flavour profile.
A bottle of The Macallan celebrating Mexican culture has a huge price tag this month. Image courtesy of Sotheby's.
The taste, say the notes, is: “Fruity notes of pineapple and citrus including grapefruit and orange peel alongside decadent richness of creme brulee and cinnamon spice.
“On the palate, mouthcoating viscosity through notes of creamy dulce de leche, cinnamon dusted churros and almonds tumbled in caramelised sugar. Balanced with rich vanilla pod and charred pineapple.
“The finish is long and sweet with tropical fruits, rich oak and dark chocolate.”
The process included an American oak sherry seasoned cask, in which the whisky matured from 2005. It has been bottled at what is called cask strength, so it’s a warming 54.9% alcohol by volume.
Two bottles of this whisky have been made, to celebrate Mexican culture, but only one will ever be sold say Sotheby’s who have made it the star item at their March 21 sale.
Someone has already offered $26,000 for it.
It’s not the most valuable drink on offer though.
That toast needs to be raised to another Macallan, a 60-year-old bottle from the Red Collection that is predicted to sell for between $110,000 and $170,000.
60 years old and worth the wait, and perhaps $170,000. Image courtesy of Sotheby's.
From the US, an Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Van Winkle Selection’ Kentucky bourbon has already found a willing $32,000 bidder. They’ll probably need to go higher though, to get a taste of a bottle that carries a $50,000 top estimate.
Alcoholic drinks are popular collector’s items and have been attracting increasing attention as a potential investment vehicle.
No-one will tell you to put your whole fortune in the wine cellar but fine, exclusive, and especially old, wines, whiskies, brandies and other spirits can be worth a large fortune, and if you buy early you will often see a bottle go up in value as it ages.
That’s if you can keep your lips off it.
Some whiskies rely on their packaging to add value, like the Isabella’s Islay that sold for $6.2 million, with the help of a precious-stone studded decanter reckoned to be worth $6 million.
That still leaves a $200,000 whisky.
And just the spirit is enough for some buyers: in 2012 someone paid $94,000 for a 1955 Glenfiddich in its standard bottle.
If you do decide to stump up for the Mexican-themed Macallan you’ll also get a beautiful Day of the Dead-inspired artwork by Alfredo Rios with the package.
And at that strength if you drink it all you probably will see spirits.
