Vintage moment: Le Clos shatters whisky world record with US$1.2 million sale of The Macallan 1926 at Dubai International

UAE. Dubai International Airport luxury wines & spirits retailer Le Clos yesterday set a world record for the most expensive whisky bottles ever sold as two rare bottles of The Macallan 1926  went for US$600,000 each.

The extraordinary purchases were made by an international businessman for his private collection.

The Macallan 1926 was aged for 60 years in sherry-seasoned oak barrels before being bottled and released in 1986. Of the 40 bottles produced, 12 were given to British artist Sir Peter Blake, famed for co-creating the Beatles’ album cover for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Twelve more went to Italian artist Valerio Adami (released in 1993). Each artist created a bespoke label for the bottles.

[image_magnify src=”https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Macallan_600.jpg” src_big=”https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Macallan_1200.jpg” alt=”” /]

The rare bottles are presented in cabinets, or tantaluses, and are based on the ‘brass and glass’ distillery spirit safe designs.

Each bottle originally retailed at £20,000 (US$27,940) and the last-known individual bottle was sold in 2007 at auction house Christie’s for US$75,000.

Both The Macallan’s brand owner, Edrington, and Le Clos said the transaction sets a new benchmark for private sales

The Le Clos sales complete another chapter in The Macallan’s history as a collector’s whisky. The distiller also holds the record for the most expensive whisky bottle sold at auction, with The Macallan M Imperiale achieving US$628,000 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014.

Le Clos Managing Director Iain Delaney commented: “Le Clos has built a long-standing relationship with both The Macallan and Dubai Airports and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate our ten-year anniversary with another world-record sale. This success is testament to the commitment of our partners who have supported the vision of Le Clos in becoming one of the world’s leading luxury retailers, not just in Dubai Airport but globally.

The two bottles sold are labelled with original artworks by renowned artists Sir Peter Blake and Valerio Adami

“The desire to deliver world-class retailing excellence is engrained in our DNA as is our reputation for exploring the world to source unique fine wines and luxury spirits that are both accessible as they are different and bring them to one of the world’s great cross roads.

“It’s these attributes; the passion and ability to source some of the rarest bottles in the world, coupled with our world-class retailing credentials that have created the trust in the global market for private retail sales of this magnitude to take place.”

The two bottles were sold to an international businessman for his private collection.  Le Clos General Manager Ben Odgers dons white gloved in deference to the precious liquid.

Dubai Airports EVP Commercial Eugene Barry commented: “At Dubai International, we are focused on working with great partners who are committed to elevating the travel experience. One element of that experience is Le Clos’s unique product range, combined with the personal knowledge and service their team members offer. We are delighted that this industry record-breaking sale has taken place at our airport.”

The Macallan Director of Prestige Geoff Kirk said: “These represent some of the most exclusive bottles ever produced, making this an iconic sale that will be remembered worldwide for years to come. It is incredibly rare for The Macallan 1926 to be made available for purchase, and the sale offers whisky connoisseurs the chance to secure historic bottles emblematic of 20th century pop culture.

“The Macallan is renowned for its outstanding quality and this sale demonstrates the brand’s standing as a leading figure in the whisky industry worldwide.”

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine