Some people are willing to pay thousands of dollars for a bottle of whiskey because of its rarity, taste, age, and quality.
There are many good whiskey bottles reasonably priced, but what is the most expensive whiskey? Read on.
Top 15 Most Costly Whiskeys To Try
15. Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch (Matheson 1942)
Average Price: Roughly $58,000
Alcohol Content: 40.5%
What Makes It Expensive:
Dalmore 62 Highland Malt Scotch (Matheson 1942) is an expensive whiskey from Dalmore Distillery.
It was released in 1942 to honor Alexander Matheson, the distillery’s founder. Only 12 bottles of whiskey are made, which makes it hard to find and expensive.
14. The Macallan 1926 (Fine & Rare)
Average Price: Roughly $75,000
Alcohol Content: 42.6%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Macallan Fine and Rare 1926 is a collection of the finest vintages of Macallan. The oldest bottle of the Macallan is 1926-the first bottle of Macallan’s Vintage Release Program.
There is a limited supply of the Macallan Fine and Rare from the Speyside Distillery, which makes it an expensive whiskey. Check out our recommended Macallan whiskies here.
13. Dalmore 64 Trinitas
Average Price: Roughly $160,000
Alcohol Content: 43%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Dalmore 64 Trinitas is very expensive because it is a blend of Dalmore’s best vintages, and there are only three bottles made for this release. Two bottles are already sold, with the last remaining bottle still up in the market.
The Dalmore 64 Trinitas is made from the finest fermented grain mash, produced in the Highland in Scotland.
Read: Dalmore 12 vs Macallan 12
12. Dalmore 62
Average Price: Roughly $250,000
Alcohol Content: 40.5%
What Makes It Expensive:
Dalmore 62 is the most expensive whisky among the standard bottles of Scotch [2].
Like other whiskies mentioned above, Dalmore 62 is expensive because of the whisky and the decanter.
Dalmore dates back to the mid-19th century, which makes it an almost 200-year-old whisky.
The mold used for platinum and crystal decanter was made for 100 hours, and its aging and quality make it easy for everyone to see why it is an expensive whisky.
11. The Macallan 64 in Lalique Cire Perdue
Average Price: Roughly $464,000
Alcohol Content: 42.5%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Macallan 64 in Lalique Cire Perdue is an expensive whiskey inside a very expensive decanter. It is a blend of 1946, 1945, and 1942 vintages.
It is a Macallan whiskey aged in Spanish oak for a fine, bold, amazing flavor. The decanter was produced by the French glassmaker Lalique, one of the most expensive whiskies ever sold.
10. The Macallan M
Average Price: Roughly $628,205
Alcohol Content: 45%
What Makes It Expensive:
Macallan dominated the list of the most expensive whiskey because the distillery produces elegant and rare whiskeys and decanters that are second to none. The
Macallan’s single malts are aged between 25-75 years old. The aging process gives the whiskey a bold and distinct flavor [1].
Seventeen glassmakers are involved in making the handcrafted crystal decanter for the Macallan M. It is inscribed with signatures of famous artists behind the whiskey like Baron, Silvio Denz, and Bob Dalgarno.
9. The Macallan Red Collection
Average Price: Roughly $975,756
Alcohol Content: 41.6-45.1%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Macallan Red Collection was auctioned, and the collection sold in London cost $975,756. The Red Collection contains the oldest-aged whiskey because it features 74 and 78-year-old Macallan.
The Macallan Red collection is limited, and the labels are signed and illustrated by Spanish artist Javi Anarez.
There are only two sets, and an Asian collector sold the first set in a whisky auction; the proceeds went to meals for the needy and City Harvest London.
8. The Macallan Lalique Legacy Collection
Average Price: Roughly $993,000
Alcohol Content: 46%
What Makes It Expensive:
The French jeweler and glassmaker Lalique designed the Macallan Lalique Legacy Collection. Six whiskies featured, also known as Six Pillars of Odyssey, contain the rarest Macallan whiskey aged 50-65 years.
The Macallan Lalique Legacy Collection is a well-valued whiskey in the world. It is housed in a bespoke natural ebony cabinet with six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses and six miniatures.
The Lalique Collection sold for $993,000 is almost quadruple its target price.
7. The Macallan Peter Blake 1926
Average Price: Roughly $1.04 Million
Alcohol Content: 42.6%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 is one of the most expensive whiskey bottles in the market. It was aged in a cask seasoned with sherry and aged for 60 years. There were only 40 bottles produced, and it became an expensive bottle because of Pop artist Peter Blake.
It is one of the most expensive bottles of whiskey in the world. The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 bears the distinct 60s pop art influence of Sir Peter Blake. He is known for making the cover of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
6. The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 Year Old
Average Price: Roughly $1.1 Million
Alcohol Content: 42.6%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60-Year-Old whiskey collaborates with the famous artist Valerio Adami. It is one of the twelve bottle collections sold for over $1.1 million and one of the rare whiskies on our list.
The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 came from the Macallan Distillery, and the gorgeous label comes with an elegant wooden cabinet.
5. The Dalmore Decades No.6 collection
Average Price: Roughly $1.24 Million
Alcohol Content: 42.5%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Dalmore Decades No. 6 Collection is one of the most expensive whiskey collections ever sold at an auction. One of the six bottles was bought by a private collector in a Hong Kong auction at Sotheby’s Autumn Hong Kong Convention Center.
Decades No. 6 was a combination of whiskeys chosen by the Master Distiller Richard Paterson of Dalmore Distillery. The proceeds of the bottle were donated to the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum.
4. Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series
Average Price: Roughly $1.53 Million
Alcohol Content: 52-61%
What Makes It Expensive:
There are only 54 bottles in Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series, and it is a Japanese whisky labeled in a whole deck of cards (two jokers included). Since the Hanyu Distillery no longer operates, the full card series is a rare collection.
The whiskey set was released between 2005 and 2014, and the collection was displayed at a Japanese and Scotch Whiskey Bar in Hong Kong before it was auctioned.
It was sold in an auction at Bonhams Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky in Hong Kong at a hefty price in 2020.
3. The Macallan 1926
Average Price: Roughly $1.9 Million
Alcohol Content: 42.6%
What Makes It Expensive:
The Macallan 1926 has been on the list of the most expensive whiskey in the market, and it was sold as part whiskey and part art. It is the “holy grail” whiskey, sold in its original cask number 263.
The whiskey collection is valuable because of its art, history, and vintage. Macallan teamed up with artists like Irish Artist Michael Dillon to design exclusive labels, making blank bottles rare and valuable.
2. Craft Irish Whiskey Co’s The Emerald Isle Collection
Average Price: Roughly $2 Million
Alcohol Content: 51.2%
What Makes It Expensive:
Emerald Isle Collection featured the rarest and oldest triple-distilled whiskey from the oldest distillery in Bushmill, Ireland. The Craft Irish Whiskey is matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask.
The expensive whiskey is held in a box with a bespoke Fabergé Celtic Egg made from 18-karat gold and emerald and a Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva cigar. The Emerald Isle Collection also comes with a gold-plated cigar cutter, Faberge 22k gold timepiece
1. Isabella’s Islay
Average Price: Roughly $6.2 Million
Alcohol Content: Undisclosed
What Makes It Expensive:
Isabella’s Islay whisky is one of the most expensive whiskeys ever sold. It is a high-quality single malt and what makes it more expensive is the decadent and luxurious art on the bottle.
It comes in a fine English handmade decanter studded with over 5,000 diamonds, 250 rubies, and two bars of white gold. It is more than just a whisky; it is a union of the world’s finest craftsmanship.
FAQs
What’s the most expensive whiskey in the United States?
Isabella’s Islay is the most expensive whiskey in the United States. Aside from the premium whiskey, the decanter comes with diamonds and gold making it the most expensive whiskey.
Does whiskey become more valuable over time?
Yes, whiskey becomes more valuable over time. The value of whiskey increases with age of the whiskey. Over time, the bottlings become limited and rare, making them more valuable.
Is whiskey a good investment?
Is there a specific whiskey known as the most expensive?
Yes, certain limited edition or rare whiskeys have achieved record-breaking prices at auctions, with examples like the Macallan “M” Decanter and the Dalmore 62-Year-Old selling for astronomical sums.
What makes these whiskeys so expensive?
The high prices of these whiskeys are often attributed to their rarity, age, unique flavor profiles, elaborate packaging, and the exclusivity of the distillery’s production.
Can everyday consumers afford the most expensive whiskeys?
Most consumers may find these whiskeys prohibitively expensive, as they are typically marketed to collectors, enthusiasts, and high-net-worth individuals.
Are there alternative options for enjoying premium whiskey without breaking the bank?
Yes, many distilleries offer a range of affordable yet high-quality whiskey expressions that provide excellent value for money without the hefty price tag of ultra-rare bottles.
What’s the appeal of investing in expensive whiskey?
For collectors and enthusiasts, investing in expensive whiskey can offer the thrill of owning a piece of history, as well as the potential for appreciation in value over time.
How can I taste expensive whiskey without purchasing a whole bottle?
Many whiskey bars and specialty liquor stores offer tasting flights or sample-sized pours of rare and expensive whiskeys, allowing enthusiasts to experience them without committing to a full bottle.
Key Takeaways
Isabella’s Islay places number one on the list of the most expensive whisky in the market. The value of the decanter makes the whiskey very expensive because it features diamonds, rubies, and white gold.
Most whiskies on the list are expensive because of their decanter, rarity, and age. The whiskeys mentioned are considered liquid gold because of their price.
You may find a whiskey bottle worth $6 million lavish, but if you can afford it, why not? After all, it can be a good investment.
References:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921
- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/sep/20/worlds-most-expensive-whisky-dalmore-62
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/business-reporter/whisky-casks-good-investment-b1904545.html
