Whiskeys are one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world. The older the whiskey gets, the more expensive it will be. When whiskey is least 30-40 years old, there starts the astronomical rise on its price tag. As the whiskey ages, the oak barrels that the whiskey is stored in disintegrates its initial rough flavors, giving it a more mellow, smooth taste. If you want to learn more about whiskey, you can visit WhiskeyWatch.com.
Here are some reasons to go broke before getting drunk — some of the most expensive whiskeys in the world!
1. Suntory Hibiki
35 years blended
$2,500 per bottle
Japanese whiskeys are becoming at par with the Scotches when it comes to complex flavors. This award-winning Suntory Hibiki has an oaky aroma with a honeyedhint and has a clean, rich taste. No wonder it commands a high price.
2. Yamazaki
50-year single malt
Price: $1200,
This Japanese whiskey fetches a high price tag because it’s quite rare. Suntory is also the manufacturer of the 50-year-old Yamazaki which was released pretty recently. It has a strong amber color, and has a full, fruity taste.
3. Macallan
Fine and Rare Collection
$75,000
Macallan has the distinction of having many of the world’s finest and most expensive whiskeys. Here is the Fine and Rare Collection, priced at $75,000, is the oldest and the most elite member the pack. The taste is usually described as dry and concentrated and has an aftertaste of liquorice.
4. Dalmore
Single Hiland Malt Scotch
Price: $58,000
The Dalmore 62 Single Hiland Malt Scotch is one of the rarest whiskeys; just 12 bottles were produced in 1942. When one of them was sold in 2005 to a London-based businessman, it was priced at $58,000. He proceeded to share drinks of this precious whiskey with a handful of his lucky buddies.
5. DalmoreTrinitas
Price: $16,000
Dalmore 64 Trinitas is also a rare whiskey that only three limited edition bottles are known to exist, which speaks well of its exclusivity. No wonder, each one is priced at a steep $160,000
6. Glendiffich
50 years old
Price: $16,000
One of the rarest single-malt whiskey, Glendiffich fetches $16,000 a bottle, one of the company’s darkest whiskies. It has a hint of zest of citrus, vanilla toffee, then followed by a combination of herbs, fruits, smoky notes. and it ends with a dry, oak-like finish.
7. Highland Park
50-year-old single malt
Price: $175,000
This whiskey’s hand-carved silver bottle casing alone, designed by famous jeweler Maeve Gillies, is already in a class of its own. Apart from the casing, it is a remarkable single malt whiskey which is quite limited — the company has produced only 275 bottles, a part of five refill oak casks distilled in the 1960s.
8. Isabella’s Islay
Price: $6.2 million
This liquor’s bottle may most likely draw a lot more attention than the liquor itself. Part of the Isabella’s Islay’s colossal $6.2 million price tag is the decanter, which is adorned with white gold, 8,500 diamonds and about 300 rubies! This bejeweled bottle was created in 2010 and is customizable too.
9. Macallan
55 Years Old Lalique Crystal Decanter
Price: $12, 500
Some whiskeys are more expensive on account of their bottles rather than the liquor itself. Another case is the Macallan 55 Year Old Lalique Crystal Decanter. This55-year-old single malt whiskey is beautifully contained in crystal bottle, designed by French crystal makers Lalique.
10. Macallan 64
64 years old
Price: $460,000
Like the other Macallan whiskey, its eye-catching decanter is made of Lalique crystal. This bottle was auctioned off at Sotheby’s for a whopping $460,000, making it one of the most expensive whiskeys in the world.
11. Master of Malt
105 years old
Price: $1.4 million
This whiskey was finally bottled in 2011 after spending 105 years in a cask. This rare whiskey now carries a mind-boggling price tag at $1.4 million, and until recently it was the world’s most expensive whiskey. It is distilled by AislaT’Orten in the Scottish Highlands.
12. Manchester’s Celebration
Sour Mash Whiskey
Price: 4000
This may be the “cheap” compared to other whiskeys, but still, it costs a lot! Only 273 bottles have been made which is the reason for its rarity. If you can’t spend $4,000 on a bottle, at least you can cough up around $200 to have shots of that.
13. Glenfiddich 1937 “Rare Collection”
Price $120,000
This 64-year-old scotch was bottled in 2001 and sold for $20,000 in an auction in April 2006. Though you may not find this everywhere around, one bottle is still at the Hong Kong International Airport sold for $120,000.
14. Pappy Van Winkle
23 year old
Price: $2,200 per bottle
Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve has 23 years maturity and a 95.6 proof. Its creation is no mean feat — it takes many generations of distilling techniques to produce this famous and rare Kentucky bourbon.
15. W & J Mutter’s Bowmore
168 years old
Price $60,135
This vintage bottle of whiskey is the oldest bottle of Bowmore and was given to William Mutter in 1851 on account of giving up his stakes in the distillery. The bottle was passed on to generations until 2007 when it was sold in an auction for a record-breaking price of $60,135.
16. Karuizawa Vintage
50 Years Old
Price: $41,136
Karuizawa has produced some amazing, internationally famous whiskies and this 50 years old Sherry Cask Aged Single Cask Malt is one of the witnesses. With a ang of 50 years, this is indeed an expensive yet classic treat for family and friends.
17. Gordon &MacPhail Generations Mortlach
75 Years Old
Price: $35,070
As one of the leading players in scotch, Gordon &MacPhail comes into competition with this 75 years old Single Malt Whiskey. The bottle was distilled in 1939 and has a flavour of toffee, wood spice and peach.
18. Tullibardine 1952
60 Years Old
Price: $29,455
From the oldest cask at Tullibardine, this Single Malt Scotch Whisky was refined three years after the distillery was built. With only 70 bottles from its time, this whiskey is packaged in gold and crystal Baccarat flasks and a pair of beautiful glasses, enclosed in a customized wooden cabinet.
19. Karuizawa Thousand Arrows Set Single Malt Whisky, Japan
38 years old
Price: $45,900
Made with barley through a malting process, Karuizawa Thousand Arrows Set has its own significance that makes it on this list. It was distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015, with only 257 set available globally for sale.
20. Old Rip Van Winkle
25 Years Old
Price: $18,584
This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Old Rip Van Winkle was distilled in 1989 from the distillery of Van Winkle Family. These 710 bottles came from 11 barrels and are presented in a handmade glass bottle enclosed in a beautiful vintage designed wooden box.