Gold coin contains drop of ‘world’s oldest whisky’

A legal tender gold coin containing “a drop” of Old Vatted Glenlivet 1862, thought to be the world’s oldest vintage whisky, has launched with a price of €7,900 (US$9,240).

The Whisky Coin is part of a series of gold coins containing rare spirits

The Whisky Coin is made from 2oz of 99.99% pure gold and features a glass inset on its reverse containing the rare malt, with engravings depicting the whisky-making process.

It has been created by Lux Coin, a subsidiary of collectors club Wealth Solutions, in partnership with Perth Mint, Australia’s largest precious metals enterprise.

“Although we have been issuing limited edition precious metal coins for more than 30 years, this is the first time we have created a coin which features liquor or any other liquid, so it is truly a luxury collectable which is sure to have broad appeal,” said Richard Hayes, CEO of Perth Mint.

Issued as legal tender of the Government of Tuvalu – an independent island nation within the British Commonwealth – The Whisky Coin is the first in a series of coins containing rare vintage spirits.

The Rum Coin is available to order from Lux Coin and contains Harewood Rum 1780, said to be the oldest rum in the world. The rum was discovered in the cellar of Leeds stately home Harewood House, in England, in 2013.

The Cognac Coin contains a drop of the “world’s oldest Cognac”, Cognac Gautier 1762. Both items also have a mintage of 300 and are priced €7,900. The entire Spirit Coin set can be bought for €22,500.

Last year, Wealth Solutions launched a series of luxury watches containing Old Vatted Glenlivet 1862. In 2016, the group partnered with Italian manufacturer Montegrappa to launch a fountain pen containing a drop of Gautier 1762.

Old Vatted Glenlivet 1862 is thought to be the oldest vintage whisky in the world