A bottle of The Macallan 1926, which has been hailed as the most valuable whisky in the world, was sold at auction by Sotheby’s for a staggering £2.1 million on Saturday. This rare bottle had initially been estimated to fetch between £750,000 and £1.2 million, but it far exceeded expectations, ultimately selling for £2,187,500 (equivalent to 2.5 million euros or $2.7 million).
Sotheby’s proudly announced that this sale marked a new record for any bottle of spirit or wine ever sold at auction. The Macallan 1926 had previously made headlines in 2019 when it became the most expensive bottle ever sold at the same London auction house, fetching £1.5 million.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s head of whisky, had the privilege of sampling this prized whisky prior to the sale. He described the experience, stating, “I tasted a tiny drop – a tiny drop – of this. It’s very rich, it’s got a lot of dried fruit as you would expect, a lot of spice, a lot of wood.” Fowle further explained that the whisky had matured for 60 years in dark European oak, which contributed to its distinctive color. He emphasized, “It’s not a whisky to take lightly. It’s a rich, rich dram, but it is incredible.”
These bottles of The Macallan 1926 are part of an exclusive collection, with only 40 confirmed to have been bottled from Cask 263 in 1986. The Macallan distillery, located in Moray, northern Scotland, is renowned for its exceptional whiskies. The record-breaking sale of this extraordinary bottle of The Macallan 1926 further solidifies its status as an iconic and highly sought-after spirit.
