Talk about an all-out splurge.
A bottle of the world’s “most sought-after Scotch whisky” – The Macallan 1926 – sold for more than $2.7 million at an auction at Sotheby’s in London on Saturday, the auction house said in a news release. The transaction set a new auction record for any bottle of spirit or wine sold, selling for almost three times the pre-sale low estimate of $934,274 – $1.4 million.
‘Momentous’
“This record-breaking result for The Macallan 1926 is nothing short of momentous for the whisky industry as a whole,” Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, Jonny Fowle, said in a statement. “This new record result for The Macallan Adami feels all the more emotional for me, having worked directly with the consignor and distillery to recondition, nose and authenticate this bottle, then finish this journey on the rostrum fielding bids in the room and on the phone.”
For Fowle, “bringing down the hammer for a new whisky world record is a feeling” that he’ll “never forget”.
How many Macallan’s 1926 were produced?
Only 40 bottles of The Macallan 1926 were produced in 1986, after being aged in sherry casks for six decades, said Sotheby’s, making it the oldest Macallan whiskey ever produced at that time.
None of The Macallan bottles were made available for purchase, said Sotheby’s in the product’s description on their website. Instead, some were offered to the distillery’s top clients, adding to their appeal and value.
At least three other bottles from the collection were auctioned in 2018 and 2019. One of them, decorated with one of 14 “Fine and Rare” labels had earlier set a record for the most expensive bottle ever sold, when it fetched $1.9 million at Sotheby’s in 2019.
150th Anniversary Special:This special anniversary bottle of Old Forester bourbon will set you back $2,500
Price hike:Southwest Airlines raised onboard alcohol prices. See by how much.
‘Very rich’
Ahead of the auction, Fowle told AFP that he tested a small sample of the whiskey.
“I tasted a tiny drop – a tiny drop – of this. It’s very rich, it’s got a lot of dried fruit as you would expect, a lot of spice, a lot of wood,” he told AFP.
Fowle said that the whiskey was “incredible” and should not be taken lightly, explaining that the liquid had “spent 60 years in dark European oak, which was reflected in the color”.
“The whisky had an incredible depth of character – rich dark fruits, black cherry compote alongside sticky dates, followed by intense sweet antique oak, which is for me a recognizable note of such aged Macallan, ” Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell said in a statement. “Dark chocolate, treacle, ginger… the notes go on and on.”
Campbell said that being involved in the sensory analysis of the whiskey was “an incredible privilege” and that “it was a very special moment to experience the opening of this iconic 60 years old single malt, first bottled 37 years ago.”
Aviation American Gin:Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart reunite for a ‘Just Friends’-themed ad
Reconditioning process
Sotheby’s, in the news release, said that they worked directly with The Macallan to “recondition and authenticate” the bottle, marking the first time this has ever been done for a 1926.
Breaking down the reconditioning process, Sotheby’s said that both the capsule and the cork were replaced while new glue was applied to the corners of the bottle label, designed by Italian painter Valerio Adami.
Twelve of the 40 Macallan 1926 bottles had Adami’s designed label on them, said Sotheby’s. Of them, one is believed to have been destroyed in the 2011 earthquake in Japan, adding to the bottle’s rarity factor. Only 10 now remain in existence, according to the auction house.
Quest’s End:See the latest brands, celebs to release new spirits
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
🏠 HD | Tech | Live🟢 | ToDay🌞 | Magazine | News | Crypto | ⛅Weather | 🇪🇸 | 🍿 | Terms | Privacy | ☕
⚖News Balance🇺🇲
The WEBFI algorithm actively curates and presents current news from the Internet, delivering it in both written and video formats on our platform. Unlike many other news sources, WEBFI Network - News Balance Security is committed to a user-friendly experience. We refrain from displaying advertising within our content, avoid any redirects to external sites, and meticulously filter out any graphic content deemed unsafe, sensitive, or private. Our primary goal is to provide visitors with a distraction-free and secure environment, ensuring they receive the news they seek.
Importantly, WEBFI Network does not collect any personal information from our visitors, and we do not engage in newsletter subscriptions. We take pride in remaining entirely advertiser-free, thanks to the support of our contributors and our dedicated hosting service partners. It's crucial to note that the opinions and content presented on our platform do not necessarily align with WEBFI NETWORK's opinion, philosophy, or vision. We strongly uphold the principle of freedom of speech, welcoming a diverse range of perspectives and ideas.
🌐 Discover News Balance 🇺🇲 - Your Round-the-Clock Source for Unbiased News!
Experience a continuous stream of comprehensive, unbiased news coverage 24/7/365 with News Balance 🇺🇲. Our carefully curated playlist ⏯ delivers a harmonious blend of national and global politics, cutting-edge tech updates, weather forecasts, noteworthy events, and captivating entertainment news.
The best part? No subscriptions, registrations, or downloads required. Enjoy an ad-free news experience with News Balance 🇺🇲.
WEBFI Unstoppable Websites
Since 2018
"Introducing Unstoppable Private WebFi Websites – Your Forever Digital Haven.
Experience a lifetime of ownership with WebFi – where your digital presence is a lifelong investment. Embark on your journey to own a private website for life.
Our private servers set the gold standard in security and performance, ensuring your website stays in top form. With our lifetime license, the days of fretting about hosting renewals are behind you.
Unlock your very own WebFi space granting you a perpetual haven for your projects, free from the burden of recurring payments. Your sole financial commitment? Domain annuities to your domain provider – nothing more!
Choose WebFi and own your digital future, secure, simple, and everlasting."LEARN MORE
WEBFI |🟢LIVE | TECH | MAGAZINE | NEWS | CRYPTO&MARKET | LATINO|⛅WEATHER |☕ HURRICANE WATCH RADAR WATCH
X
