In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 most expensive whiskeys in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global alcohol industry, the most expensive Bourbon in the world, and investing in Scotch whisky, and go directly to the 5 Most Expensive Whiskeys in the World.
Embarking on the opulent journey through the realm of alcohol, one encounters a world in which rarity and excellence are commanding exorbitant prices. From the extravagant Champagne houses in France to the iconic distilleries of Scotland, luxury libation has become synonymous with sophistication and indulgence. For those investing in the crème de la crème of premium tipple, drinks have once again become a status symbol and elixirs of prestige, for they are not merely quenching their thirst or satisfying a basic need, but crafting narratives about who they are and who they aspire to become.
The Global Alcohol Industry:
In 2019, the global alcohol consumption, measured in liters of pure alcohol per person of 15 years of age or older, was 5.5 liters, which is a 4.7% relative decrease from 5.7 liters in 2010. As we mentioned in our article – 30 Drunkest Countries in the World – the global alcoholic beverages market size was valued at $1.62 trillion in 2021, and the market is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2031, with a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period.
The market is likely to be driven by the increasing global young-adult demographic, coupled with high disposable income and consumer demand for premium/super-premium products. Globally, beer drives the market for alcoholic beverages. Regionally, North America and Asia-Pacific are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
Most Expensive Bourbon in the World:
While Scotch and Japanese whiskies have been known to fetch hefty price tags at auction houses around the world, America’s native spirit has also not failed to make its mark, with some of the rarest and oldest bottles of Bourbon setting you back by even tens of thousands of dollars.
With an average price tag of $52,545 on Wine-Searcher, the Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight holds the mantle of being the Most Expensive Bourbon Whiskey in the World. Launched in 2017, this very rare, limited edition Bourbon takes generations of distilling know-how to produce. Only 11 barrels of the highly sought-after American whiskey were distilled in 1989 at the now closed Van Winkle family distillery in Shively, Kentucky, and each of the 710 bottles produced is a handmade glass decanter from Glencairn Crystal Studio.
Investing in Scotch Whisky:
The market for rare and collectable Scotch is growing, with many investors seeing it as a promising alternative to traditional assets like stocks and real estate. While a bottle of Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour was on sale for $24,000 in early 2023, others have sold at auction for millions.
There has also been a lot of interest in buying whisky casks recently – barrels of different sizes, which typically start at between $3,000 and $6,000. The simple idea is that the cask is held in storage for what can be decades, by which time it has matured into something that will have much greater value when it is ready to be bottled. In 2022, a forgotten cask of 1988 Macallan was sold for $1.2 million at auction, having originally been bought for just $6,000.
Cask whisky investment is low cost, hassle free, and very secure. Bound by a rigid set of HMRC rules, casks of single malt whisky have to remain within the boundaries of Scotland and in an HMRC bonded facility. There are literally hundreds of bonded warehouses in Scotland, providing vital income to many rural areas of the country.
Another advantage of investing in whisky casks is that it allows investors to potentially earn a larger profit as it is not subject to capital gains tax. Moreover, Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY) and Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) have both recently announced plans to increase their whisky cask prices to counteract the rising costs in materials, energy, and transportation because of inflation. This rise in price and limited stock will only make whisky more desirable, creating a more valuable asset class.
The Paris-based Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY) is a global leader in the wine and spirits industry and owns several prestigious Scotch brands, including Chivas and Glenlivet. Both Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY) and Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) ranked among theLargest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.
With that said, here are the Whiskies with the World’s Largest Price Tags.
15 Most Expensive Whiskeys in the World
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Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to sources such as Forbes, Luxhabitat, The Financial Express etc., looking for the Top 15 Most Expensive Whiskies. The following luxury spirits have been ranked by their dollar sale prices as reported in the aforementioned sources.
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15. Diamond Jubilee by Johnnie Walker
Price: $165,000
Many of Johnnie Walker's releases have been accessible by most, with a variety of affordable Scotch whiskies in their portfolio. However, this extremely limited release was created to celebrate the Queen’s 60th coronation anniversary in Britain and is considered to be the best whisky ever created by the Scotch brand. The bottle should also get some credit as it’s made from Baccarat crystal casings, and is encrusted with a half-carat diamond set by hand, and an individually numbered silver seal.
Like its cousin 64 Trinitas, the Dalmore 62 single malt Scotch dates back to the mid-19th century. There have only been 12 bottles created of this rich whiskey, so limited numbers play a big part in its price. Interestingly, the last known bottle to be spotted in public was actually purchased at Singapore airport.
13. Karuizawa Dragon Netsuke 1960 52 Year Old
Price: $316,000
The rare 52 Year old Karuizawa is one of only 41 bottles ever produced before the distillery closed in 2000, and is the oldest Karuizawa expression ever released. The collectible secured around $316,000 at a Bonham’s auction in 2018.
12. Yamazaki 50 Year Old Single Malt
Price: $430,000
This whisky was distilled in the 1950s and spent its entire lifetime slowly maturing in Japanese mizunara oak, a detail that makes this bottle stand out. There are three editions of the 50-year-old Yamazaki, bottled in 2005, 2007, and 2011. Only 50 bottles were produced for the 2005 edition, and its exclusivity is what puts it among Most Expensive Alcoholic Drinks in the World.
11. Karuizawa Rat Netsuke 1960 52 Year Old
Price: $435,300
Each of the 41 bottles of the Karuizawa 52 Year Old is identified by an individual netsuke carved from oak cask, and the bottle that has fetched the highest price comes with a unique rat netsuke. In March 2020, the iconic Japanese whisky fetched an eye-watering $435,000 at an auction held at Sotheby’s Auction House in London.
10. The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique
Price: $460,000
In November 2010, a 64-year-old single malt Scotch whisky in a unique crystal decanter sold for a then record price of $460,000 at an auction in New York, making it the Most Expensive Whisky in America. The Lalique decanter was created using the ‘cire perdue’ or ‘lost wax’ method. This rare Scotch was vatted from three sherry-seasoned Spanish oak casks – the first was filled in 1942, the second in 1945, and the third in 1946.
9. The Macallan M
Price: $628,000
In January 2014, a stunning rare 6 liter ‘Imperiale’ version of the highly sought after Macallan M sold for a breathtaking $628,000 at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, setting a new world record for the Most Expensive Single Malt Whisky at the time. The beautifully designed and meticulously crafted crystal decanter that the whisky came in was made by LALIQUE.
8. Yamazaki Single Malt 55 Year Old
Price: $795,000
Aged in Japanese Mizunara oak casks from 1960 and white oak casks from 1964, a single 700 ml bottle of Yamazaki 55 Year Old single malt sold for $795,000 at a Bonhams Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky Sale in Hong Kong in 2022.
Established in 1923, Yamazaki is Japan's oldest whisky distillery. It is owned by Suntory Holdings.
7. The Macallan Peter Blake 1926
Price: $1.04 million
In May 2018, one of the 12 The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 60 Year Old came up for auction at Bonhams in Hong Kong and sold for around $1.04m. Limited to only 40 bottles, the Macallan 1926 is widely known as the ‘Holy Grail of Whisky’ for many collectors.
6. The Macallan The Intrepid
Price: $1.38 million
The Intrepid, a nearly 6-foot tall 311-liter bottle of Macallan single-malt Scotch, sold for $1.38 million during a live auction in Edinburgh in 2022. The world’s largest bottle held Scotch from two sister casks that were aged for 32 years at Macallan’s Speyside distillery.
