5 of the world’s most expensive whiskies

Distilled by masters in the game, aged for over half a century and bottled in stunning decanters, these whiskies are exquisitely crafted—and exquisitely priced. Many like their glass of scotch whisky, but these whiskies have broken records (and banks) to become the most expensive malts out there.

5 of the world’s most expensive whiskies

The Emerald Isle Collection

Created by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and Fabergé, this limited edition whisky gift set costs US$2 million (Rs14,80,86,700) and contains two bottles of the oldest triple distilled Irish whisky from the world’s oldest distillery—Bushmills. Along with the whisky, the luxury box contains a bespoke, Fabergé Celtic Egg handcrafted from emerald and 18-karat gold, a 22k gold timepiece and a Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva cigar with gold-plated cutter. The money received through the sale of The Emerald Isle Collection went to charity towards children’s cancer research and broke records, making this the most expensive inaugural release for any whisky company ever.

The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60-Year-Old

In October 2019, this bottle of scotch became the most expensive wine or spirit ever sold at auction. The price—you may want to hold onto your chair for this one—was US$1.9 million (Rs14,06,86,640). Sotheby’s called this 1926 single malt the “holy grail” of whisky. The vintage malt was drawn from a barrel that is considered something of a legend and is called cask number 263. Only 40 bottles have been produced from said cask and previous liquid matured in it has been auctioned for $1.2 million (Rs8,88,83,280). Pop artists Peter Blake and Valerio Adami designed the labels for a limited edition of 24 bottles and one bottle was even hand painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon. In an interview with BBC, whisky expert David Robertson—who is among the few who has tasted the whisky—described its flavour as “...full of dried fruits, of prunes and dates and tons of incredible spicy notes of cloves, ginger and cinnamon...zesty orange marmalade, hints of peat and smoke, finished with a delicious drying oak tannin from the sherry cask, and waxy, linseed oil and leather notes.” While one bottle of the malt is believed to have been consumed, Robertson revealed that the buyer of the auctioned bottle was unlikely to consume it at all and possibly only bought it to complete a collection.

The Balvenie Fifty: Marriage 0614

In 2020, The Balvenie—a single malt scotch whisky distillery in Scotland—released a whisky that has been half a century in the making. Priced between US$40,000-$50,000 (Rs29,62,040-Rs37,02,550), the whisky comprises malts from seven American and European casks that are at least 50 years old. The whisky is aptly titled Marriage on account of the marrying of different casks, that bring varying tastes and liquid strengths to the drink. The whisky has been crafted by malt master David C Stewart (MBE) and is lush with bitter chocolate, an intense spiciness and a maple syrup sweetness, with hints of honey. The decanters for the whisky have been hand blown from lead-free crystal and each bottle is contained within a handcrafted wooden canister made from elm trees on the Balvenie Distillery grounds.

The Dalmore-1964 Constellation Collection

The oldest of The Dalmore’s Constellation Collection—a series of premium vintage whiskies created between 1964 and 1992—this whisky has been aged for 46 years. Dalmore’s master distiller Richard Patterson—inspired by his love for sherry—flavoured the whisky with notes of orchard fruit and cinnamon spice. The whisky is priced at US$60,000 (Rs44,42,700).

Glenfiddich 1937 Rare Collection

This whisky was distilled at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Speyside, Scotland before the WWII and emptied 64 years later in 2001. By this time, only liquid enough for 61 bottles remained in the cask, making it an extremely rare whisky. The whisky is priced at a whopping US$120,000 (Rs88,82,460). In 2016, at the Bonhams Whisky Sale in Edinburgh became the most expensive single malt ever sold at a Scottish auction house.

And the most expensive whisky made in India is…

Amrut Greedy Angels- Chairman’s Reserve 12 Year Old

Apart from being India’s most expensive whisky so far, the Greedy Angels- Chairman’s Reserve is also the first 12 year old single malt to ever come out of India. This is an especially important feat because aging malts in India is tricky, thanks to the country’s high temperatures and humidity. Priced at US$1000 (Rs74,086), the whisky has complex notes of tropical fruits with a lingering finish, reminiscent of old and rare Scottish malts. Only 100 bottles of the whisky have been produced in crystal decanters.

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5 of the world’s most expensive whiskies