Close Menu
News

Macallan whiskies sell for $1 million each

The Macallan has exceeded auction expectations once again to set another world record after two rare vintage bottles sold for more than US$1 million each.

The Macallan 1926 Peter Blake label (left) and Valerio Adami label (right)

Bonhams Fine and Rare Whisky Auction took place on 18 May in Hong Kong and witnessed a bottle of The Macallan Peter Blake 1926 60-year-old Scotch whisky sell for US$1,014,422 (HK$7,962,500/ £751,703).

A second bottle, The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60-year-old, also sold for US$1,100,197 (HK$8,636,250/ £814,081).

Daniel Lam, head of fine wine and whisky, Bonhams Asia, said: “These two bottles are the most significant whiskies ever produced in the 20th century and truly presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for collectors to acquire the holy grail of Macallan.

“Active bidding came in from around the world but we saw bidders from Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia reflecting the growing appetite and appreciation for whisky among Asian collectors and further reinforcing Bonhams market leadership in Hong Kong in the field of whisky.”

The whiskies were bottled in 1986 and Macallan commissioned Peter Blake and Valerio Adami to design the labels for the limited-edition releases.

Only 24 bottles – 12 featuring the Peter Blake label and 12 with the Valerio Adami label – were produced.

Other sales included the oldest Karuizawa 1960 52-year-old, The Dragon, one of only 41 bottles created. The bottle sold for US$312,130 (HK$2,450,000/ £231,035), setting a new auction record for a single bottle of Japanese whisky.

Last month, two bottles of The Macallan 1926 Peter Blake and Valerio Adami bottles sold for US$1.2m through luxury retailer Le Clos.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No