Paul Kushner
Whiskey is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world, with a rich history and a wide range of flavors and aromas. Some people prefer their whiskey straight, while others enjoy it mixed with other ingredients. However, for those with a taste for the finer things in life, there is nothing quite like Most Expensive Whiskey.
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Most Expensive Whiskey refers to the top-tier, ultra-premium whiskeys that are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike. These whiskeys are often aged for decades and come with a hefty price tag, sometimes reaching into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. While not everyone can afford to indulge in Most Expensive Whiskey, those who do are often treated to a truly exceptional drinking experience, with complex flavors and aromas that can only be found in the rarest and most exclusive whiskeys on the market.
Suntory Yamazaki 55 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey
Suntory Yamazaki 55 Year Old Single Malt Whisky is the oldest single malt offered by the distiller. Recognizable from its dark amber color from aging in Mizunara casks, this storage method also brings out notes of sandalwood in the nose. Expect a smooth start with balanced sweet and bitter flavors and a lingering finish with a touch of smoke from this Japanese spirit. The original price was around $31,000, but it has sold for almost $800,000 at auction because of its rarity.
Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old
Crafted using a meticulous distilling method, Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old has a dark reddish color. The Kentucky brand recommends drinking this whiskey neat to avoid diluting flavors. Wood notes characterize the start of this whiskey, building into fruity notes like apple and cherry. The whiskey has a sweet finish with caramel undertones. In 2022, a bottle of this whiskey was sold for $52,000 at Sotheby’s.
The Macallan 50 Year Old
A Scottish whisky with a bright amber color, The Macallan 50 Year Old opens with a spicy nose with hints of currants and earthy tones. Sweet notes hit the palate first, bringing flavors like vanilla and toffee to mind. This develops into a spicy peppercorn flavor with citrus accents. The Macallan is renowned for its long finish and distinct mouthfeel. There were only 200 bottles created, and in 2018 they were sold for a retail price of $35,000, but resale prices have gone much higher today.
The Balvenie Thirty
The Balvenie Thirty is another example of the most expensive whiskey of Scottish origin, with a subtle woody nose with hints of orange peel. Complex dark chocolate notes pair with fruity flavors like plum and pear. These rich tones end with a smooth finish with a lingering taste of sweet spices. This expensive bottle of Balvenie Thirty goes for about $3000 today.
Longmorn Centenary 25 Year Old
This high priced whiskey has never technically been on the market. Instead, employees of the company and dignitaries received bottles as gifts. However, Longmorn Centenary 25 Year Old whiskey can be found on auction sites. Sweet notes characterize this whiskey with the distillery’s signature hints of grapefruit and a slightly smoky finish. This expensive whiskey sells for around $3000.
Macallan Fine & Rare 1940
Macallan Fine & Rare 1940 shares the year the whiskey was distilled in its name. The Scottish spirit aged 37 years before its initial bottling and was also re-bottled in 2002. This spirit has a golden color and coffee notes on the nose. On the palate, this whiskey tastes almost tropical, with notes of mango and spiced citrus lingering through the finish. This expensive Scotch whisky costs over $50,000, making it one of the most expensive whiskies out there!
Highland Park 40 Year Old
Yet another example of the most expensive whiskey of Scottish origin, Highland Park 40 Year Old has a rich copper color with slight amber tones. The whiskey’s color comes from the aging process in European oak casks. Expect strong nutmeg and dark chocolate notes on the palate, along with milder hints of vanilla and peat smoke from this Scotch whisky. This expensive whisky sells for around $5000.
Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask Whiskey
Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask Whiskey is a blended variety with a unique aging process in some of the rarest casks in the world. This whiskey has deep flavors and is aged in bourbon and sherry barrels for 11 years and then again in Cognac casks for 17. Dried fruit, almond, and cinnamon notes are present in this spirit. It originally sold for $500, but resale prices have gone up as buyers search for this rare bottle.
Port Ellen Untold Stories 39 Year Old Whisky
A whiskey from the Scottish island, Islay, Port Ellen Untold Stories 39 Year Old Whisky is a showy dark gold. Expect intense flavor from this whiskey-aged bourbon and sherry barrels. You’ll experience lots of fruity notes with a slight mineral flavor, creating a long, smooth finish reminiscent of salted caramel. The Scotch whisky comes in a special wooden box that can only be opened by 2 unique keys. It costs from $6000 and upwards to get a bottle today.
Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s The Emerald Isle Collection
In 2021, Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s Emerald Isle Collection sold for a whopping 2 million dollars. Luckily, the buyer didn’t get just one bottle of whiskey – the Emerald Isle Collection is a seven-piece kit of Craft Irish Whiskey Co. whiskeys and additional items, each celebrating Ireland’s seven wonders. The collection included two bottles of triple-distilled 30-year-old Irish whiskey, a bespoke Fabergé Limited egg, a hip flask of Emerald Isle whiskey (the rarest Irish whiskey on the planet), a humidor with Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva cigars, a cigar cutter, whisky stones, and gold plated water pipette. Even better, the proceeds from the 2 million dollar purchase went to the Correa Foundation, providing financial support for families with children facing cancer.
