$2.7 Million Bottle Of Macallan 1926 Breaks World Record For The Most Expensive Scotch Ever Sold

Whisky lovers know the name Macallan the same way car enthusiasts know the name Ferrari. It's synonymous with excellence and highly sought after, which is why a 60-year-old bottle of Macallan sold for a record $2.7 million at auction in November. That eye-popping final hammer price not only set a new record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold, but it also broke a record that had previously been held by another bottle of Macallan.

Don't Miss:

• Oprah, Madonna and DiCaprio have turned to the alternative asset that is outperforming the S&P 500. Discover the potential of this market for yourself. 

Bottled In 1926 And Adorned With A Custom Label

When it comes to Scotch, the longer it has aged, the higher its value. Under Scottish law, whisky must be aged in a barrel for a minimum of three years to meet the legal definition of Scotch. The longer it stays in the barrel, the longer its flavors are allowed to mature. The number of years it's aged in the barrel before bottling is known as the "age statement."

The value increase is not incremental but exponential when it comes to bottles dating to 1926, like the recent record breaker, which is known as the Macallan Valerio Adami 60. It was first distilled and barreled in 1926, where it spent 60 years aging before being bottled in 1986 when it was a limited edition that consisted of only 40 bottles.

In addition to wearing the Fine and Rare label designation, this Macallan Valerio Adami 60 was one of only 12 bottles to be custom-painted by Italian artist Valerio Adami. The last time a Rare and Fine bottle of Macallan from this collection was sold in 2019, it went for a then-record $1.9 million. That record stood until the Valerio Adami 60 was auctioned off by Sotheby's for $2.7 million, shattering the previous record.

Macallan Is One Of The Most Respected Names In Single-Malt Scotch Whisky

The world of Scotch whisky is not short of great distillers with a long and distinguished heritage, but even in a field with this much history, The Macallan name stands out. This Speyside distillery has been turning out world-class drams since 1824 when it became one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed by the Scottish government.

This long history, and the intense pride the distillery takes in its production standards, means even a regular bottle of its 15-year-old single malt will set you back at least $100 at a high-end liquor store. Order a double Macallan 15 at a bar and you could be looking at a $50 tab, assuming the bar carries it. It's not the kind of Scotch you're likely to find at local dive bars or college frat hangouts.

Macallan makes the kind of Scotch you put on a high shelf and drink only on special occasions, or give to people who mean a lot to you.  Although the 15 is one of Macallan's stand-by products, it is only one entry in a full range of Macallan whiskies that get more expensive with age and rarity.

Scotch Whisky Has Become A Growth Industry And Investment Vehicle

The amount of time necessary to make Rare and Fine scotches like the Valerio Adami 60 means even large distilleries like Macallan can't meet global demand for their best products. Some distillers have begun to release no-age statement whiskies to keep up with the worldwide demand, which continues to grow.

The scarcity and high demand lead to high prices, and investors are now as likely to buy as Scotch enthusiasts. However much the original Valerio Adami first cost in 1986, it's safe to assume the recent $2.7 million sale price has significantly outpaced inflation and most major stock indexes for return on investment in the nearly 40 years since it was first bottled.

The only question now is whether the current owner can resist the temptation to drink the Valerio Adami 60 and for how long. The good news for them is that the longer they hold off, the more likely it is that this bottle will continue to grow exponentially in value. 

 Read Next:

• With returns as high as 300%, it’s no wonder this asset is the investment choice of many billionaires. Uncover the secret.