The Macallan Adami 1926 is widely regarded as the most coveted Scotch whisky bottle in the world.
An exceptionally rare Scotch whisky bottle, often referred to as the “holy grail” for enthusiasts, is set to be auctioned next month, with expectations of fetching up to £1.2 million. Sotheby’s will oversee the auction in London on November 18, commencing advance bidding at the beginning of the month.
The star of the event is a 96-year-old Macallan single malt whisky, known as the Macallan Adami 1926. It is anticipated to sell for a minimum of £750,000, but Sotheby’s has provided a guide price of up to £1.2 million for this extraordinary item. If it reaches this price point, it would solidify its status as one of the most expensive bottles ever sold.
Previously, the record for the highest amount spent on a wine or spirit was held by another Macallan 1926 bottle, which sold for £1.5 million in 2019. Prior to that, a third bottle from the same cask had set the record at £1.2 million in 2018.
The Macallan 1926 has earned its reputation as the “holy grail” and is widely regarded as “the most sought-after Scotch whisky.” Produced in limited quantities by the Speyside distillery, only 40 bottles of this whisky were ever created. It spent six decades ageing before being bottled in 1986, and these bottles were exclusively offered to Macallan’s top clientele.
The bottle scheduled for auction next month marks a unique milestone as the first to undergo a meticulous reconditioning process. This process involved the replacement of the cork and the application of adhesive to the label’s corner. The label itself was crafted by the renowned Italian painter Valerio Adami.
Notably, some of the labels adorning these bottles were designed by Sir Peter Blake, the visionary behind the iconic sleeve design for the Beatles’ legendary album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Additionally, one of the labels was meticulously hand-painted by the talented Irish artist Michael Dillon.
Macallan attributes a portion of the premium pricing to these distinctive label designs, yet they firmly emphasize that the 60-year-old elixir contained within is an exceptional and exceedingly rare offering in its own right.
Sotheby’s reports that one of the bottles featuring Mr. Adami’s label met an unfortunate fate during a devastating earthquake in Japan in 2011. Astonishingly, only one of these Macallan 1926 bottles is known to have been opened and enjoyed, with photographic evidence capturing the momentous occasion in Japan.
Regrettably, information regarding the whisky’s taste profile remains elusive due to its scarcity. Nevertheless, Macallan describes the whisky as possessing a woody and resinous character, complemented by notes of medium treacle toffee sweetness and opulent dried fruits.
Jonny Fowle, the global head of spirits at Sotheby’s, aptly summarizes the sentiment surrounding the Macallan 1926, stating, “The Macallan 1926 is the one whisky that every auctioneer aspires to sell and every collector dreams of possessing.”
