Macallan sets new record with £2.1m price tag for rare Scotch whisky

A highly sought-after bottle of whisky, the Macallan 1926 single malt, has been sold for a staggering $2.7 million, breaking the record for the most expensive wine or spirit ever sold at an auction. Sotheby's conducted the sale on Saturday, surpassing the estimated price by more than double. Prior to the auction, the head of whisky at Sotheby's had the privilege of tasting "a tiny drop" of the rare bottle and described it as having a rich flavor with notes of dried fruit, spice, and wood. The Macallan 1926 single malt spent an impressive 60 years maturing in dark oak sherry casks before being bottled in 1986. Only 40 bottles were produced, and they were reportedly not made available for purchase, but rather offered to The Macallan's top clients. Each time one of these bottles has been auctioned, remarkable results have been achieved. A similar bottle was sold for £1.5 million in 2019. Considered the ultimate whisky to auction and possess, The Macallan 1926 is highly coveted by both auctioneers and collectors, according to Mr. Fowle, Sotheby's head of whisky. The 40 bottles from the 1926 cask were labeled in various ways. Two bottles had no labels, up to 14 were adorned with the iconic Fine and Rare labels, and 12 were labeled by famous pop artist Sir Peter Blake. The remaining 12 bottles, including the one that set the record, were designed by Italian painter Valerio Adami. It remains unknown how many bottles of The Macallan Adami 1926 are still in existence. One is rumored to have been destroyed during a 2011 earthquake in Japan, and it is believed that at least one other has been opened and enjoyed.