On November 20, 2023, history was made at Sotheby’s in London as a singular bottle of Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60-year-old whisky fetched a staggering $2.7 million. This remarkable sale not only set a new global benchmark for the priciest whisky ever auctioned but also highlighted the continued allure of rare and exclusive spirits.
The particular item in the spotlight is part of the Macallan 1926 60-year-old series, originally introduced by the distillery in 1986. Out of the 40 bottles produced, 14 were distinguished with the Macallan Fine & Rare label, previously holding the record as the most valuable bottling. Another 12 were graced with labels crafted by renowned British pop artist Sir Peter Blake, famous for his work on The Beatles’ “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band” album cover. The remaining dozen featured labels designed by Italian artist Valerio Adami, recommended by Macallan’s Italian importer. Two bottles remained unlabeled, with one, hand-painted by Michael Dillon, depicting the Macallan estate and sold at auction in 2018.
The winning bid, a staggering £1.75 million ($2.2 million), plus a 25% premium, culminated in a total sale price of $2,724,908. This eclipsed the previous record set in 2020 for the Macallan Valerio Adami and now stands as the highest amount ever paid for a bottle of wine or spirits at auction. With only 10 Valerio Adami bottles still in existence, the rarity of these prized spirits adds to their mystique and desirability.
Sotheby’s Weekend of Whisky auction, held from November 17-18, witnessed a spirited competition for this coveted bottle, with the hammer ultimately falling on a winning phone bid. The head of spirits at Sotheby’s, Jonny Fowle, presided over the exciting auction, adding to the dramatic atmosphere in the saleroom.
Regarding the whisky itself, meticulous attention to detail was evident, with the distillery reconditioning the cork, capsule, and labels. The authenticity of the whisky was ensured by comparing a sample against a reference, allowing Macallan’s master whisky maker, Kirsteen Campbell, to savor the essence of the liquid. She described it as having “an incredible depth of character,” with notes of rich, dark fruits, black cherry compote, sticky dates, sweet antique oak, dark chocolate, treacle, and ginger.
Putting the astronomical price into perspective, a 1-ounce pour from this bottle would cost a jaw-dropping $107,449. This sale marks the eighth instance of a whisky bottle crossing the million-dollar threshold at auction, underscoring the growing fascination and willingness of enthusiasts to invest in these liquid treasures. With the rapid ascent from the million-dollar Macallan era in 2018 to the world’s first $2 million whisky in less than six years, the prospect of a $3 million whisky in the near future no longer seems implausible.
