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The Macallan M becomes world’s most expensive whisky
A six litre decanter of The Macallan M has broken the Guinness World Record for the most expensive whisky sold at auction.
The Macallan M is officially the world’s most expensive whisky sold at auction
The rare “Imperiale” version of The Macallan M exceeded auctioneers’ valuations when it sold for US$628,000 (£381,620) at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on Saturday (18 January) – £67,620 more than first predicted.
The 16.8kg decanter, created by Lalique, is one of four designed to commemorate the launch of The Macallan M in Hong Kong in October 2013. While one decanter has been sold to a private collector in Asia, a further two have been archived by The Macallan.
The fourth, named Constantine after the Roman emperor, bears the engraved autographs of M’s three creators – Fabien Baron, founder and creative director of Baron & Baron, Silvio Denz, president and CEO of Lalique, and Bob Dalgarno, whisky maker at The Macallan.
Its sale, to an unidentified buyer, beats The Macallan’s previous Guinness World Record for the most expensive whisky sold at auction.
The Scotch distiller’s The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique Cire Perdue sold for US$460,000 (£291,125) in 2010, although the record was not certified until 2012.
Robert Sleigh of Sotheby’s Hong Kong, said: “The Macallan M decanter six litre Imperiale brought global interest from bidders who were attracted by the combination of the unique opportunity and exceptional quality bringing a new world record for single malt whisky as well as benefiting Hong Kong charities.”
The net sale proceeds from the auction will be donated to a collection of local charities in Hong Kong.
“We are absolutely delighted at the generosity of the successful bidder of the M six litre decanter Constantine in securing such a wonderful contribution to a number of Hong Kong charities and at the same time setting a new world record for The Macallan.
“It is testimony to the craft, quality and passion underpinning the creation of this great decanter. It is a very proud moment for us”.
The spirits industry continues to regularly set and break several Guinness World Records, from the most expensive spirits ever sold, to the largest number of bartenders flairing at one time. Take a look through 10 of our favourite.