Whiskey is known to be extremely expensive sometimes. But if paying $100 for a bottle is already breaking the bank for you, you will be surprised when you see the prices on this list as some of the alcohol you’ll see costs more than a car or even a house!
For international Whiskey Day (21st of May) we have prepared for you a list of some of the most expensive whiskeys in the world and why exactly they are so pricy. Keep in mind that if you ever want to taste any of these, you will probably have to be lucky enough to know someone who owns a bottle.
We will start from number 8 and get to the most expensive bottle at the end of this blog.
8. Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch (Matheson 1942) – $58,000
The Dalmore Distillery’s creation starts our list of the costliest whiskeys. The prestigious Dalmore Distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson. To celebrate Matheson, Dalmore developed the Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch in 1942. Only 12 bottles of this superb scotch were created by Dalmore, so the restricted number of bottles is what virtually contributes to the high cost. The Dalmore 62 scotch is difficult to come by – the bottles can only be found at auctions. But be prepared to spend at least $58,000!
7. Dalmore 64 Trinitas – $160,000
Another whiskey from the famed Dalmore Distillery is the 64 Trinitas. The 64 Trinitas is a combination of Dalmore's finest vintages, including 1864, 1878, 1926, and 1939. Dalmore Distillery's earlier vintages are in limited supply, therefore only three bottles of the 64 Trinitas were produced. So for this whiskey, the high price is comprised of a scant amount of bottles and the fine vintages that go into making it.
One bottle of 64 Trinitas is still available for purchase. The fate of the remaining two bottles remains unclear. Some believe they were appreciated by their owners, while others assume they will resurface for purchase in the future.
6. The Macallan M – $628,205
Macallan definitely dominates this list of the most expensive whiskeys in the world. Whiskey produced by the Macallan distillery is superb, and the decanters are handcrafted to perfection. The Macallan M follows suit. The M is a combination of vintages ranging from 25 to 75 years old. Macallan matured the M in Spanish oak barrels which makes the taste distinct and robust.
But besides the specific aging process and a sublime blend of vintages, what makes this whiskey cost more than half a million dollars? The handmade crystal decanter used for the Macallan M was created in collaboration with seventeen glassmakers. The rare 6-liter bottle is difficult to come by and will certainly go up in price as time passes.
5. The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 – $1,040,000
We are finally crossing the 1-million-dollar line! This whiskey was matured in sherry-seasoned casks at Macallan. The 1926 was bottled in 1986 after 60 years of maturation. Only 40 bottles were made from this exceptional vintage.
The label is what sets this whiskey apart from the rest. The 1926 cover was designed by Macallan in collaboration with artist Peter Blake. Peter Blake is well known for designing the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles.
Only 12 bottles of this partnership are available, with the last one selling for slightly more than $1 million at auction in May 2018.
4. The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 Year Old – $1,070,000
The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 and the Macallan Peter Blake 1926 are both from the same vintage. It's also a collaboration with a well-known artist, Valerio Adami in this case. The Valerio Adami 1926 was restricted to 12 bottles, just like the Peter Blake.
Adami's label portrays a naked woman admiring the same Macallan 1926 bottle. It comes with an excellent cabinet in addition to the lovely label. In 2020, a bottle was auctioned for about $1.1 million. There are only five bottles left; one of the twelve bottles was tragically destroyed by an earthquake.
3. Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series – $1,520,000
The Full Card Series by Hanyu Ichiro takes a unique perspective on the concept of a whiskey collection. Each of the 54 bottles in the collection represents a card in a deck of cards. Founded in 1941, the Hanyu distillery, unfortunately, closed its doors in 2000. However, 400 casks were saved by Akuto's grandson, out of which 54 bottles were chosen for this collection. In 2020, it was sold for little more than $1.5 million, making it the most expensive Japanese whiskey collection ever sold at auction.
2. Craft Irish Whiskey Co’s The Emerald Isle Collection – $2,000,000
The Emerald Isle Collection turns the notion of a whiskey collection upside down. It includes jewelry, a watch, and a cigar, rather than just whiskey. This collection was made by the Bradley's and it originates from the oldest distillery in Ireland, Bushmill.
The companion pieces in this set, in addition to the whiskey's quality, elevate it to new heights. A single emerald and 19-karat gold Faberge Celtic Egg is part of the collection. A Faberge 22-karat gold watch is included as well. Cohiba Singlo VI Grand Reserva cigars and a gold-plated cutter complete the set.
1. Isabella’s Islay – $6,200,000
More than 3 times more expensive than number 2 on this list, Isabella’s Islay is on the top. Like a lot of names on the list, the value of this whiskey comes primarily from the decanter. It is encrusted with an incredible 8,500 diamonds and 300 rubies set in white gold. The whisky in the bottle is only worth $200,000. The decanter alone is, therefore, worth $6,000,000.
Now that you’ve learned that there is whiskey in the world that costs like several houses, that $100 bottle probably doesn’t sound that expensive at all. If this blog inspired you to drink some whiskey tonight, consider adding one of our games into the mix for an even more pleasant evening.
