MensXpert.com - World's Most Expensive Whiskies

Not so long ago, rare coin and stamp collection was a popular hobby. Although it was a rather geeky pastime, it fuelled passions. And then came a time when geekiness became passé. Admit it, stamps and coins are not exactly conversation starters at a social event. So in came watches and paintings. So people splurged millions of dollars to accumulate the best and the most expensive Rolexes and Van Goghs. But these collections only served to satisfy the visual sensibilities. They paled in comparison to what has today become a popular trend - collecting rare, expensive and really old whiskies. Yes, the older the better! You won’t get to say that often!

Since this interest in collection and consumption of expensive whiskies is a new trend, the market has plenty to offer. Although the craze for expensive, limited edition whisky started in Britain, today it is a world phenomenon. Read on to find out which whiskies qualified to be on the list of the world’s most expensive whiskies.

The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection, 1926 (60 Years Old)
Price: $38,000

The odds are that you may not be able to lay your hands on a bottle of this premium Scotch whisky. Yes, it’s all sold out. If you are the type who will buy a whisky to adorn the cellars, hard luck! But if you are a true whisky connoisseur, you will not mind splurging $3500 for a dram at one of the places that had the good sense to buy it at the right time.

Rumor has it that a bottle of this collection was sold to a South Korean business man for $75,000. Obviously, a true whisky aficionado!

Chivas Regal Royal Salute (50 Year Old)
Price: $10,000

Chivas Regal is a Scotch whisky blended and bottled in Paisley, Scotland. The brand was founded by the Chivas brothers, who founded the distillery.

The Chivas Regal Royal Salute is a blended scotch, and was released to mark the 50th anniversary of the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. Only ten bottles of this scotch were released in the American market and that too at a hyper premium price of $10, 000 a bottle.

This blended scotch has a rich creamy character owning to Strathisla, which is used as the lead malt.

Glen Garioch, 1958, (46 Year Old)
Price: $2,600

Glen Garioch is a relatively low profile distillery. However, the older whiskies from this distillery are the best malts in Scotland.

This 46 year old whisky has fruit and floral notes, but also, characteristically, some light peat in the old Highland style. At $2600 per bottle, this is one of the most expensive whiskies in the world. It is also presented rather well - in a rose hardwood box with a velvet lining.

Bruichladdich (40 Year Old)
Price: $2,500

This is the oldest vintage from the Bruichladdich cellars. It was distilled in 1964 and filled into bourbon casks. And then it was rested and allowed to ripen at leisure. And what was the result? An expensive bottle of single malt Scotch whisky which goes at an impressive $2500 per bottle. It is a mild whisky, yet the flavors are rich and heady.

Glenfiddich (40 Year Old)
Price: $2,500

When a whisky is judged the world’s finest single malt by the Whisky Magazine in 2003, it automatically becomes most coveted. This 40 year old Glenfiddich won the gold medal and promptly became expensive.

Although it may take a while for you to feel the taste, when you finally do, you will realize that it is a really deep whisky, with layers upon layers of chocolate and honey and a hint of peat.

Springbank (32 Year Old)

Price: $750

One of the most expensive Campbeltown whiskies, Springbank is matured in sherry casks for 32 years before being presented to you. You can just barely discern the presence of cinnamon, vanilla and coconut in this light gold whisky. Combine this with a dash of lavender, a hint of sea and some delicate fruits and you have on your hands an extremely complex whisky.

The Campbeltown region of Western Scotland used to be brimming with distilleries. Today there are only two left, Springbank being one of them.

Auchentoshan, 1973 (32 Year Old)
Price: $700

Whisky lovers don’t have a high regard for Auchentoshan's regular bottling. This 32 year old whisky however, is an exception. Its spicy fruitiness has impressed many aficionados. Only 480 bottles of this Oloroso-sherry matured spirit were bottled. You may be a little hard pressed to find a bottle for your private collection today, such is the allure of Auchentoshan’s 32 year old whisky.

Apart from these high end whiskies, there are several others which are more moderately priced, such as Evan Williams 23 Year Old Bourbon, Suntory Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey, Sazerac Rye, and Johnny Walker Green Label. But these do not have the allure of the more expensive whiskies. Undoubtedly, these are good whiskies, but don’t classify as truly expensive.

If you are one of the pack of super rich, in the run for everything that’s “most expensive”, this guide to the world’s most expensive whiskies should serve you well.