Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A recent Sotheby's auction in London witnessed a landmark sale as a rare 1926 Macallan single-malt whiskey, featuring the Valerio Adami label, fetched an astonishing $2.7 million (Rs 22 Crore).
Regarded as 'the most sought-after' whiskey globally, this rare Macallan is part of an exclusive collection of 40 bottles, each distilled in 1926 and aged for 60 years in barrels before being bottled in 1986.
What sets this whiskey apart is the label adorned by Italian artist Valerio Adami. Among the 40 bottles, 14 feature the renowned Fine and Rare labels, two are without any label, and one was hand-painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon.
The expected price for the rare Adami bottle was initially set between $934,275 and $1.49 million. However, during the auction, it surpassed all expectations, selling for more than double its estimated value.
The historic bottle not only celebrates rarity but also holds the distinction of being the oldest Macallan whiskey ever created.
In 2019, another Macallan 1926 bottle made headlines by selling for $1.86 million, setting the previous record as the most expensive bottle ever sold at auction.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s global head of spirits, expressed his excitement during an interview with Associated Press(AP), stating, "The Macallan 1926 is the one whisky that every auctioneer wants to sell and every collector wants to own."
Jonny Fowle added, "This new record result for The Macallan Adami feels all the more emotional for me, having worked directly with the consignor and distillery to recondition, nose, and authenticate this bottle."
Despite spending six decades aging, this specific bottle underwent a meticulous reconditioning process at The Macallan Distillery, including the replacement of the capsule and cork, and the application of fresh glue to secure the labels.
To ensure authenticity and quality, a 1 ml liquid sample was extracted from the bottle for testing against another 1926 bottle at the Edrington offices in Glasgow, adding an extra layer of assurance to this exceptional auction.