15 Most Expensive Whiskey Labels (Auction Results, Bottles to Buy)

The most expensive whiskey in the world is the 1926 Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old.

The price it fetched? 

A whopping $1.9 million!

Without doubt, this is one of the most sought-after whiskeys among collectors.

There are many other rare and exceptional whisky bottles that present lucrative investment opportunities. 

Let’s discover the top 10 most expensive whisky bottles ever sold at auctions and five of the most expensive whiskeys you can buy today. 

We’ll also delve into the investment potential of these high-end whiskies and a convenient way to invest in them (through Vinovest.)

10 Most Expensive Whiskey Bottles Ever Sold at Auctions

Here are the top 10 most expensive whisky bottles ever to be sold at auction events: 

1. 1926 Macallan Fine & Rare Aged 60 Years ($1.9 million, Sotheby’s 2019)
2. The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Aged 55 Years NV ($789,814, Bonhams 2020)
3. Karuizawa Single Malt Whiskey ‘The Dragon’ Aged 52 Years 1960 ($312,103, Bonham’s 2018)
4. Springbank Aged 50 Years 1919 ($204,509, Christie’s 2021)
5. The Macallan Lalique Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 50 Years NV ($126,515, Bonham’s 2019)
6. Port Ellen Queen's Visit Aged 12 Years 1980 ($110,968, Whisky Auctioneer 2022)
7. The Yamazaki Single Malt Whiskey Aged 35 Years NV ($74,477, Whiskey Auctioneer 2022)
8. Glenfiddich Rare Collection Aged 64 Years 1937 ($67,135, Whisky Auctioneer 2022)
9. The Macallan Red Collection Aged 50 Years NV ($57,791, Whiskey Auctioneer 2020)
10. The Macallan Anniversary Malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 50 Years 1928 ($46,550, Christie’s 2016)

1. 1926 Macallan Fine & Rare Aged 60 Years ($1.9 million, Sotheby’s 2019)

This limited-edition, single-malt Scotch was auctioned for $1.9 million at a Sotheby’s event in 2019. 

The iconic spirit is coveted as the ‘holy grail’ of all whiskies for a reason.

It matured in ex-sherry casks in Scotland for 60 years (till 1986). It was then released in an exquisite bottle depicting Macallan’s Easter Elchies House (handpainted by famous Irish artist Michael Dillon.)      

It’s not only the bottle’s stunning visual appeal that’s captivating. The Scotch offers nuanced dried fruit, date, and prune aromas and a robust palate of resinous wood and treacle toffee.   

Note: The 1926 Macallan Valerio Adami is another expensive bottle from the same brand. It sold at a Whisky Auctioneer event in 2020 for over $1 million. The Macallan Valerio Adami bottle also became the first label to achieve the $1 million price in an online sale.

2. The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Aged 55 Years NV ($789,814, Bonhams 2020)

This 55-year-old Yamazaki Single Malt is the world’s oldest Japanese whiskey. It fetched an eye-popping $789,814 at a Bonham’s event in 2020. 

This rare whisky label (a collectors’ favorite) was released in a limited edition of just 100 bottles. 

The whiskey was aged in Japanese Mizunara oak casks from 1960 and white oak casks from 1964. Its palate boasts a unique Mizunara influence with hints of bitter citrus rinds, sandalwood, and a sweet undertone. 

Fun fact: Upon its release, the whiskey was available only to Japanese residents through a lottery system. 

3. Karuizawa Single Malt Whiskey ‘The Dragon’ Aged 52 Years 1960 ($312,103, Bonham’s 2018)

‘The Dragon’ is a Japanese whisky with stunning calligraphy on its label. The beautiful bottle is packed in a handcrafted box of ex-sherry cask pieces. 

And the golden liquid inside is even more dazzling than its package! It presents addictive spice, sandalwood, and tobacco aromas accompanied by head-spinning smoke and black fruit flavors.

So, it’s no surprise the collectible secured over $300,000 at a Bonham’s auction in 2018.

The back story?

Karuizawa stopped operations 20 years ago and every whiskey bottle from the distillery became a sought-after collectible. 

Fun fact: All 41 single malt whiskies from the 1960 vintage are named after unique Netsuke – Japanese miniature sculptures. 

4. Springbank Aged 50 Years 1919 ($204,509, Christie’s 2021)

This classic 50-year-old Scotch belongs to the oldest distillery in Scotland. 

While it sold for $204,509 at a Christie’s auction in 2021, it once held the Guinness World record for the world’s most expensive whiskey. 

The first version of the 50-year-aged rare whisky was bottled in a pear-shaped bottle but in the 1970s it was rebottled in a taller decanter.

Despite being over a century-old, the whiskey preserved its full-bodied palate with incredible salty and smoky undertones.

5. The Macallan Lalique Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 50 Years NV ($126,515, Bonham’s 2019)

The 50 Year Old Lalique Scotch whiskey was part of The Macallan’s Six Pillars Collection. 

Most of the 470 bottles of this Macallan whiskey series were quickly sold out when first released in 2006.  So, acquiring a Lalique collection label today is a challenge. 

This expensive bottle from the Macallan distillery was sold for over $126,000 at a Bonham’s auction in 2019.

The rare whisky exudes heady cardamom and dark maraschino scents in a palate of prunes and chocolate.

6. Port Ellen Queen's Visit Aged 12 Years 1980 ($110,968, Whisky Auctioneer 2022)

The 12-year-old Port Ellen whiskey was released in a limited edition of 40 bottles for the attendees of the Queen’s visit in 1980. 

The whisky was drawn from two 1967 casks by celebrated warehouseman, Iain 'Pinky' McArthur.

The cult single malt whisky was auctioned for a staggering $110,968 at a Whisky Auctioneer event in 2022 and is the only label scoring 99 out of 100 on Whiskyfun.

Its impressive flavor profile presents rich fruit notes with a heady spice fragrance 

7. The Yamazaki Single Malt Whiskey Aged 35 Years NV ($74,477, Whiskey Auctioneer 2022)

The 35-year-old Japanese whisky was distilled between 1966 and 1970, aged in unique second-fill Spanish oak casks, and bottled in 2006. 

Yamazaki released only 200 bottles of the classic label and one of them was sold at a Whisky Auctioneer event in 2022 for close to $75,000.

Sweet date, cherry, and prune aromas of the spirit are balanced by biscuit, orange, and cinnamon notes.

8. Glenfiddich Rare Collection Aged 64 Years 1937 ($67,135, Whisky Auctioneer 2022)

With only 61 available bottles, this prestigious spirit is one of the rarest single malt whiskies in the world. 

Cask #843 was distilled in the same year that King George VI was crowned and it was bottled after aging for 64 years. 

A bottle of the Rare Collection went under the hammer for $67,135 at a Whisky Auctioneer event in 2022

Despite the advanced age, the vintage label boasts rich oak, spice, and poached pear aromas with a layered bitter chocolate and raisin palate. 

9. The Macallan Red Collection Aged 50 Years NV, $57,791 (Whisky Auctioneer 2020)

Once renowned for its blended whiskies, the Macallan distillery began producing single malt labels in the 1980s. 

This 50 year old Macallan whiskey, launched in 2020, is part of the Red Collection – named after Macallan’s founder, Alexander Reid (the red one.) 

The rare bottle was sold for an impressive $57,791 at a 2020 Whisky Auctioneer event.

This rich expression, aged in ex-sherry casks, features a warm mix of wood spice and dried fruit offset by dark chocolate, date, and sultana flavors.  

10. The Macallan Anniversary Malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 50 Years 1928 ($46,550, Christie’s 2016)

This iconic, hard-to-find Macallan single malt was made from three casks between 1926 and 1928 and bottled in 1983. 

The Macallan Anniversary Scotch comes in a genuine wooden crate with a letter of authenticity. A bottle of this expression was auctioned at a 2016 Christie’s event for $46,550.

The expensive Scotch whiskey offers subtle spice, smoke scents, and intense dark fruit flavors.

Fun Fact: Technically, the most expensive whiskey bottle is the Isabella Islay Whiskey. However, the hefty price tag of the Isabella Islay, $6.2 million, comes from its elegant decanter – crafted with 5,000 diamonds, 250 rubies, and a white gold coating.

Some Notable Expensive Whiskey Lots

Besides these single bottles, some whiskey lots and collections have also been sold at high prices at several auction events. These include:

• Hanyu Ichiro Full Card Series: A series of 54 Hanyu Ichiro whiskey labels fetched a staggering final bid of $1.52 million at a Bonham’s auction in 2020.
• The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection: This 6-bottle Dalmore Decades lot was sold for $1.24 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021.
• The Macallan Lalique Cire Perdue: A collection of three different vintages – 1942, 1945, and 1946 – this Lalique Cire Perdue set was sold for $460,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2010.

Now, if you’re ready to buy some of most exquisite bottles, we have some suggestions right here!

5 Most Expensive Whiskey Bottles Available to Buy Now

Here are the five most expensive whiskey bottles you can buy right now:

1. 1964 Bowmore Aston Martin 'Black Bowmore DB5' Single Malt Scotch Whisky
2. The Macallan Lalique 72-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
3. The Dalmore 64 Trinitas Single Malt Scotch Whisky
4. Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 
5. 2018 The Macallan M Single Malt Scotch Whisky

1. 1964 Bowmore Aston Martin 'Black Bowmore DB5' Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($225,000)

The 1964 limited-release Bowmore Aston Martin single malt was aged in an ex-sherry cask and bottled at an ABV of 49.6%. 

It opens with a heady nose of coffee, smoke, and tobacco, offset by a delicious palate of acacia honey, passion fruit, and mango.

2. The Macallan Lalique 72-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($152,296)

Here’s a beautiful 72-year-old single malt with intense smoked pineapple, vanilla, and raisin aromas in a ripe apple and smoky palate. Given its oak maturation of over seven decades, it also offers wood spice with hints of peat. 

3. The Dalmore 64 Trinitas Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($164,000)

Of the three 64-year-old labels of the Dalmore distillery, only one bottle is available for sale. 

This exceptionally old whisky from Dalmore distillery presents a bouquet of sandalwood and white musk aromas in a flavorful palate of figs, dates, and sweet sultanas. 

4. Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($54,945)

The Pappy Van Winkle 25-year-old Bourbon underwent long maturation process. 

The end result? 

A dry whisky enriched with woody aromas and intense fruit flavors. 

While the second ingredient of most modern Bourbons is rye, Pappy Van Winkle uses wheat with barley malt.

5. 2018 The Macallan M Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($7,643)

This magnificent Macallan M single malt Scotch offers vibrant sherry undertones with hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and nutmeg aromas. 

The Macallan M delivers wood spice, raisins, and sultanas tasting notes in a unique, handcrafted crystal decanter. 

Now for the big question:

What Makes High-End Whiskey Worth Investing In?

In 2021, the whiskey market was worth $79.6 billion and is expected to grow to $109 billion by 2025 (a 37% increase.) 

High-end whiskies and expensive Scotch labels can be excellent long-term investments with low correlation with traditional markets.

Though Scottish whiskies are highly sought-after, labels from the United Kingdom, USA, and Ireland have also become lucrative alternative investments.

Some examples of significant value appreciation in whiskeys are: 

• The 1961 Bowmore 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey increased by about 48%, from $68,675 in 2020 to $101,634 in 2022.
• The 1940 Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey appreciated by about 40% in value from $111,285 in 2021 to $156,518 in 2022.

You can even invest in whiskey casks from leading distilleries across the globe - through a whisky investment company. 

Casks enjoy significant price appreciation and you won’t have to bother about storage or shipping. They are held in bonded warehouses and maintained professionally.

How to Invest in Whiskey Casks Easily

If you’re hoping to build an enviable collection of high-return whiskeys, you can reserve your exclusive casks through Vinovest. It is an AI-driven platform that lets you buy, store, and sell investment-grade whiskey casks from around the world.

Vinovest provides you with two investment options for reserving casks: 

• An assortment of high-end new fill American whiskey casks for a minimum investment of  $1,500. These casks are often used by whiskey brands like Whistle Pig, High West Whiskey, and Breckenridge Distillery.
• Ultra-premium casks of Scotch from famous producers like Highland Park, Macallan, and Ardmore, starting at $15,000.

The benefits of investing through Vinovest are:     

• Hassle-free ownership: Vinovest authenticates, stores, and insures your whiskey cask. You’ll also get a sample if you fancy a taste of your whiskey.  
• More savings: An advantage of investing through Vinovest is you don’t have to deal with intermediaries or extra commissions.
• Expert guidance: Not an expert in whiskey investment?  Don’t worry. Vinovest’s professional advisers will guide you toward building a winning portfolio.

Earn Potentially Handsome Returns with the Most Expensive Whiskey Labels

If you get your hands on any of the prized whiskey labels listed here, you may have secured yourself a mini fortune. 

While you can relish a luxurious drink by popping open the bottle, the unsealed package will also deliver incredible returns in the long run.

You can also explore investing in whiskey casks. Just sign up with Vinovest and explore the opportunities that await you there.