A buzzing excitement is about to unfold in the bustling halls of Sotheby’s London. The Macallan 1926, often hailed as the pinnacle of Scotch whisky, is set to be auctioned next month. With chatter suggesting its value could reach a staggering £1.2 million.
When it comes to whisky, The Macallan 1926 is second to none. Its reputation was only cemented when a parallel bottle fetched a record £1.5m in 2019. Now, after a considerable hiatus, another bottle from the same prestigious cask is ready for bidding.
Taking a step back in time, this illustrious cask originated in 1926. It spent an impressive sixty years maturing in sherry casks before being bottled in 1986. What makes this even more fascinating is that only 40 of these bottles were ever made. These weren’t just ordinary sales items. Instead, they became exclusive gifts for The Macallan’s esteemed clientele. So whenever one of these bottles has come up for auction, it’s attracted huge attention.
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Adding to its allure, The Macallan Adami 1926 will be auctioned at Sotheby’s on 18 November. It is expected to fetch between £750,000 and £1.2 million. Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, commented: “The Macallan 1926 remains the most coveted prize for both auctioneers and collectors. The thrill of presenting a bottle at Sotheby’s, especially after our landmark success with this vintage four years ago, is truly unparalleled“.
Digging deeper into the details, the 40 bottles from this 1926 cask have different labels. Notably, 14 boasted the iconic Fine and Rare labels, one of which achieved the 2019 record sale. Two bottles were released without labels, one of which showcased the artistry of Michael Dillon. This particular bottle made history in 2018, becoming the first whisky bottle to exceed £1 million.
The rest include bottles labelled by Sir Peter Blake and others created by Valerio Adami. Of the 12 bottles of The Macallan Adami 1926, the exact number still in existence remains a mystery. Tragically, one met its end in the 2011 Japanese earthquake, and rumor has it that at least one has been tasted and enjoyed.
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