Vintage Macallans to auction for first time in 30 years

Two 60-year-old Macallan Scotch whiskies, of which only 24 bottles were ever produced, are set to go under the hammer for the first time in over three decades at a Bonhams auction in Hong Kong.

To the right is The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 Year Old

The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 60 Year Old, and the Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 Year Old whiskies are both estimated to fetch between HK$3.6-HK$4.6m (US$460,000-US$586,000) when they headline the Bonhams fine and rare wine and whisky sales on 18 May.

Bottled in 1986, Macallan commissioned artists Peter Blake and Valerio Adami to design the labels for the limited-edition releases.

Only 24 bottles were produced – 12 of the Blake label and 12 of the Adami. They are presented in cabinets, or tantaluses, based on the ‘brass and glass’ distillery spirit safe designs.

Sir Peter Blake (born 1932) and Valerio Adami (born 1935) are regarded as two of the most highly acclaimed 20^th century pop artists.

Blake is best known for co-creating the Beatles’ album cover for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Meanwhile, Adami is recognised for painting bold, flat forms outlined in thick, black lines.

Daniel Lam, head of fine wine and whisky at Bonhams in Hong Kong, said: “These bottles are incredibly rare.

“The exceptional calibre of the whisky combined with the wonderful artwork from two towering figures of 20^th century pop art – Peter Blake and Valerio Adami – represent a unique marriage of excellence.

“Only 24 of these bottles were produced and the sale is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for collectors to acquire the holy grail of Macallan.”

The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 60 Year Old bottle is to the left of the photo