Few things gain value with age, such as wine and cheese, just to name a few. When you think about luxury alcohol what comes to mind are the images of a golden liquid: whisky. The demand for aged whisky isn’t something new; in fact, whiskey was the preferred currency in the 18th century among Pennsylvania residents.
Few things gain value with age, such as wine and cheese, just to name a few. When you think about luxury alcohol what comes to mind are the images of a golden liquid: whisky. The demand for aged whisky isn’t something new; in fact, whiskey was the preferred currency in the 18th century among Pennsylvania residents.
Even today, whisky is one of the most expensive types of alcohols in human history; some people would rather have Whisky than silver or gold. Some of the expensive whisky bottles don’t cost a ton because of their taste and quality, but because of the vessels they contain. Others are expensive because they are rare and unique. Therefore, if you’re expecting some money soon, consider investing in some expensive whisky. Here is a list of the oldest and most expensive bottles of whisky, starting with the cheapest and closing off with the most expensive.
10. Balvenie 50 Year Old
With $50,000, you can get yourself a bottle of this fine whiskey. Produced in Speyside Scotland, Balvenie is produced using traditional methods. Additionally, only 88 bottles of this whiskey were produced, which makes it a rare collectors’ item and a precious commodity.
9. Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch 1942
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Apart from being a fusion of four different single malt whiskies, this one is so expensive for a couple of reasons. For one, only 12 bottles of this blend were ever made, and each bottle bears a different name. The last bottle of this exquisite whiskey was picked up for $58,000 -- and it was consumed.
8. W & J Mutter’s Bowmore 1850
This is believed to be the oldest bottle remaining. This specific bottle was issued to William Mutter after he let go of his share in the distillery back in the year 1851. The bottle has been passed down from one generation to the next until most recently when it was auctioned by McTear’s in Glasgow for $60,135.
7. Glenfiddich 1937
This rare whisky has rich notes of burnt heather, cedar, chocolate, molasses, and oak. This particular vintage was drawn from a cask made in 1937. The cask has also been preserved for generations. The Glenfiddich 1937 is an example of the finest whisky in the world. After 80 years since this exquisite whisky was made, only approximately 60 bottles remain and they can only be found at auction.
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The few who own a bottle of Glenfiddich 1937 don’t dare drink its bronze-colored content. But those who have, they described it as quite remarkable. A bottle of the Glenfiddich 1937 can fetch over $71,000.
6. Macallan 1926
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The Macallan 1926 is the oldest of all the Macallan’s Fine and rare Collections. It was distilled in 1926 but bottled 60 years later in the year 1986, in only 40 bottles. What makes this vintage more expensive is its uniqueness; no water was added to dilute it. In fact, it has the color of an old barrel -- probably that of the barrel it was aged in. Its uniqueness has pushed the value of this particular vintage up to $75,000.
5. Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955
The aging process of this particular Glenfiddich scotch started at the New Year’s Eve of 1955. After William Grant’s granddaughter Janet Sheed Robert (who is said to be the oldest woman in Scotland) passed away in 2012 at the age of 110, 15 bottles were produced to honor her. The family kept four bottles, and eleven were auctioned off.
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While some whiskey bottles obtain their value from their decanters, this Glenfiddich whiskey, sold for $94,000 is expensive due to its rarity. Its taste has been described as sweet, floral, and fruity and has contributed greatly to its value.
4. Dalmore 64 Trinitas
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A blend of special and rare vintages, the Dalmore 64 contains whiskeys aged from 1868, 1878, 1926, and 1939. Dating over a century ago, only three bottles of this exquisite vintage were ever made. However, only one is available and it can fetch over $160,000.
3. Dalmore 62
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This is one super rare whisky. Most of its kind are over a century old and date back to the mid-19th century. Its wooden mold, which was used to create the decanter for this vintage, took approximately 100 hours to handcraft. The crystal and platinum decanter holding Dalmore 62 is one of the reasons why it costs $250,000.
2. Macallan M
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Macallan M is among the kings of rare and expensive whiskies in the world. The last time it was sold in an auction, it went for $628,205 in Hong Kong. The vintages used were 25 to 75 years old. The Macallan M’s value is also found in the bottle – a handcrafted crystal decanter that can hold up to 6 liters of this high-quality whiskey.
1. Isabella’s Islay -- $6.2 million
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You did not misread that number. For a multi-million price, you can be the proud owner of this decadent whisky bottle decked out completely in genuine diamonds and rubies (8,500 and 300, respectively). You can even customise your special bottle by having your name (or your special one’s) name plastered on it. As you can imagine, the luxe price tag represents the bottle’s glittering exterior. The actual whisky, brewed in Scotland, may taste fine, but it probably won’t taste $6.2 million fine the average person.