Whiskey is the drink of confident men who love being “happy high”. Maybe you count on it to take the edge off a long day or because it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Whatever the reasons for drinking your signature blend, you might be very well aware of how expensive some whiskeys are. If not, we present you with a list of some of the rarest and most collectible whiskeys that have broken auction records for commanding the mightiest price tags. Crafted by master distillers, aged for hundreds of years, and bottled in luxurious decanters, these whiskeys are exquisitely priced, making them the world’s most expensive whiskeys out there. 

Why is whiskey expensive?

The main influences that decide the value of a bottle of whiskey are “Angel’s Share” and “Rarity”. The Angel’s Share is the amount of alcohol that disappears from the cask as a result of evaporation. When whiskey is unusually old, it has less liquid in the barrel, making it more scarce and therefore expensive. Whiskeys that are increasingly hard to find also come with unbelievably high price tags. Along with these, another cost-determining factor of expensive whiskeys is ‘Devil’s Cut’, which refers to the liquid lost due to absorption by the wood of the cask. Distilleries that have been closed down or have insufficient stock also sell whiskey bottles at 3 to 4 times more than the market value.

Where is whiskey produced?

Scotland is synonymous with whiskey since it is the world’s biggest producer of whiskey, with about 97 distilleries producing 700 million liters of whiskey per year. However, it is not the only country that has mastered the art of distilled, liquor making and producing the most expensive whiskeys. Others that have massive production sites include the USA, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and India. 

The World’s Most Expensive Whiskeys

From malts smashing records under the hammer to collectible bottles aged for over a century, we have listed below some of the most expensive whiskeys ever sold. 

Isabella’s Islay – $6.2 million

The unparalleled Isabella’s Islay reigns supreme when it comes to the much-coveted list of the most expensive whiskeys in the world. The exclusive nectar is a product of the United Kingdom’s Luxury Beverage Group and needs no introduction. The staggering beauty that comes in a diamond-studded bottle is sold at a whopping price of $6.2 million. Showcasing the finest craftsmanship of the British Isles, its entire decanter is encrusted in 8,500 diamonds while the lettering is done with 300 red rubies. The decanter also oozes sheer luxury with its white gold stopper that stands perfectly in contrast with the pinnacle of the bottle’s neck, made using the finest English crystal. This out-of-this-world cask-strength scotch boasting the highest quality in the industry with its luxurious decanter is perfect for a man who has rich people’s hobbies.

Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s The Emerald Isle Collection – $2 million 

The Emerald Isle Collection, a 30-year-old Irish single malt whiskey that comes in a Fabergé case, has set a world record at $2 million USD, making it one of the most expensive whiskeys in the world. A large chunk of its value goes to the extravagant case that contains a bespoke 18k gold Fabergé egg, an exquisitely crafted cigar with a gold-plated cutter, and a 22k gold Fabergé timepiece rendered in luxe sapphire crystals.

The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old From 1926  – $1.9 million 

Distilled in the year 1926, the Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year Old has been bequeathed the status of “the holy grail of whiskey.” The ultra-rare spirit came into the limelight in 2019 when it was sold for a record-breaking $1.9m at an auction in London. The 60-year-old Macallan is regarded as the founding father of the brand’s Fine and Rare series, a collection of vintage single-malt whiskies spanning over eight decades. Its bottle was painstakingly hand-painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon and designed by acclaimed Italian painter Valerio Adam. With only 24 bottles available worldwide, this revered and exclusive elixir is an accolade all on its own.

The Macallan 64 Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old masks a multitude of flavor profiles and notes. On the nose, one can expect an incredible olfactory experience due to woody spices. On the palate, it’s robust resinous wood paired with rich dried fruits and treacle toffee-an explosion of flavors indeed!

Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series – $1.52 million 

The Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series, a set of ultra-rare Japanese whiskies with the ‘golden liquid’ moniker, is an extraordinary take on the conventional whiskey collection. The series has 54 bottles in which each bottle represents a playing card in a deck of cards. In 2020, the collection shattered its own 2019 record after being sold for a mindboggling $1.52 million, compared to the previous $600,000, setting a record for one of the most expensive whiskeys in the world.

The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection – $1.24 million

The fabled Dalmore Decades No.6 collection is noted for its selection of six milestone releases that serve as the hallmarks of the Scottish distillery’s key moments, such as the famous Dalmore 60-year-old, distilled from the casks of the Mackenzie era. The six significant vintages – from 1951, 1967, 1979, 1980, 1995, and 2000 chosen by the distillery’s legendary master distiller, Richard Paterson, bagged $1.24m after having been sold by Sotheby’s. The aromatic Scotch 1995 has notes of red berries, nuts, and dark fruit notes of raisins along with dried apricots. The highly sought-after commodity ‘2000’ from the set, the first whiskey produced in the new millennium in Scotland, has expected fruit notes and a distinctive finish of licorice, dried fruit, and a hint of baked apple. 

The Takeaway

Some of the whiskeys dominating the list of the world’s most expensive whiskeys are the ones that scream extravagance in and out. While conventional whiskeys may please your palate, these exclusively crafted and aged liquors are a different ball game altogether. From offering a sense of fulfillment to true whiskey devotees to mesmerizing men with their unique flavor profiles, these premium and expensive whiskeys are truly the epitome of rarity and deserve a special spot in every collector’s cabinet. 

Drink responsibly.