81-year-old single malt sold at Sotheby’s for record price

At Sotheby’s in London, a one-of-a-kind special edition of The Macallan The Reach 81 Years Old single malt was sold for £300,000 ($325,740) excluding VAT. 

This e oldest whisky ever to come to auction  was acquired by a UK private collector. 

The decanter was presented in a special single-lot sale, with proceeds raising funds for The Macallan’s recently established Artisan Collective forum, to benefit The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund.

The winning bidder will also enjoy an exceptional distillery experience at The Macallan Estate, including a tasting of this extraordinarily rare 81-year-old single malt whisky.

 Crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask, The Macallan The Reach is encased in a decanter created from mouth-blown, hot glass, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands representing characters in The Macallan’s history. Unveiled in February 2022, this release from the distillery reflects an extraordinary moment in time; the liquid laid down during a period of increasing hardship during the Second World War, just before The Macallan was compelled to close its doors for the first time in its history.

The deep auburn coloured whisky is bottled at 41.6 percent ABV. Its nose comprises dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, aromatic peat, plums, leather, pink grapefruit, redcurrant jelly and a rich resinous note. The palate of the whisky exudes treacle toffee, bramble jam, liquorice, crystalised ginger, nutmeg, charred pineapple, pecans, woodsmoke while its finish is intensely rich, sweet and smoky.

 The cabinet housing the decanter has been crafted using wood from a fallen elm tree which is thought to have been on The Macallan Estate in 1940; the year the spirit was distilled. The decanter itself is encased in a display cabinet lined in red leather – reflecting the red thread that has run through The Macallan’s branding since it was founded almost 200 years ago – rather than the traditional cream leather which features on the original whisky release.