How good is the world's most expensive whisky?

[Chippy_Tea]

A rare bottle of Scotch whisky hit the headlines this week after it was sold for a world record £1.45m at auction in London.

The Macallan 1926 60-year-old single malt from cask number 263 had been described by Sotheby's as the "holy grail" of whisky.

At more than £50,000 a dram, you might expect it to taste spectacular.

Mr Robertson, who is now a co-director of whisky experts Rare Whisky 101 (RW101), recalls: "My boss and I were lucky enough to have a few samples in the nosing room that we had to ensure were 'ok'.

"From memory it was an incredibly rich, intense spirit - full of dried fruits, of prunes and dates and tons of incredible spicy notes of cloves, ginger and cinnamon.

"I also recall zesty orange marmalade, hints of peat and smoke, finished with a delicious drying oak tannin from the sherry cask, and waxy, linseed oil and leather notes."

And his overall verdict?

"It's a great whisky - but I've had better. The Macallan 1979 Gran Reserva, for example, was truly a stunning dram. There are other bottles from other distillers that are at least as good."

Full article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-50182545

 

[MrRook]

You lost me at most expensive.

 

[Dexter101]

I don't think there are many things that are worth what you pay for them.

Even things like cars, you spend money and all it does is go a bit quicker or be a bit more comfortable.

alcohol has the benefit at least of not being able to replicate it which is why vintages mean so much.

If I had more money than I could imagine, would I buy it? depends how many glasses of whisky I had drunk before the auction....

 

[the_quick]

It is more a collectors item, rather than how good is it. Same story with wines.

 

[Tony C]

I would need to have some serious amount of spare cash to buy that.

 

[DavidDetroit]

I wouldn't buy it even if I had the money. Extra money can go to much better uses. Below is another example of nonsense.

From Costco, a Japanese Wagyu New York Strip Loin Roast, A5 Grade, 11 lbs. Price: $1,280 US (992 pound sterling).

 

[Dexter101]

I wouldn't buy it even if I had the money. Extra money can go to much better uses. Below is another example of nonsense.

From Costco, a Japanese Wagyu New York Strip Loin Roast, A5 Grade, 11 lbs. Price: $1,280 US (992 pound sterling).

If I was well off, I could probably convince my self to buy that beef for a special occasion. probably feed 20 people.

I have been to Michelin starred restaurants and spend £600+. Other people spend that on tickets to the theatre or to go and watch a sports game.

 

[DavidDetroit]

f I was well off, I could probably convince my self to buy that beef for a special occasion. probably feed 20 people.

I have been to Michelin starred restaurants and spend £600+. Other people spend that on tickets to the theatre or to go and watch a sports game.

Balance, right? Or perspective. I scoff at the tens of thousands people spend on a single game. I'm not into complete self-denial of worldly things or anything, just my viewpoint on certain things.
You did make me realize one thing: Going out to a nice restaurant and spending $100/person is acceptable to me once in a great while. That NY strip above is $64/person. Add a baked potato and a nice vegetable, it would fall within my range.

For cultural events, my acceptable price range is far higher.

 

[Dexter101]

People spend money on what they consider important to the. Friends are paying £100's pounds a month for a new car. Ive never paid more than £2k because i dont see the value in having a new car. As long as it drives and is comfy to me.

Look forward to seeing photos of your wagyu for your next birthday

 

[DavidDetroit]

wagyu

That was funny. Maybe it will happen. However, there's a local meat shop that sells Waygu hamburger patties for $10/pound which come from trimming all the expensive cuts. I will buy that for house guests regularly. They are very good. Worth the price? Yes and no.
Traditionally, I spring for a 16-18 pound Prime beef, prime rib roast and let my brother who has a smoker, cook it on New Year's Day. In our meat rating system "Prime" is the highest quality, more or less, so it's around $18/pound if I recall. I also bring some of my biggest beers on that day. That outlay of cash is at the high end for me.
We've been buying used cars lately. I've found that one car is fine plus I have my motorcycle. In Detroit, car insurance is obscenely high if you don't own the vehicle outright and even if you have a spotless driving record.

 

[Tony C]

Disposable cars!
I went through Shoguns, Range Rovers and a Volvo estate, lost a fortune in depreciation while owning them.
So I now spend no more than £500 on a car, run it until a repair or MOT bill come to more than £250, scrap it, repeat.

 

[johncrobinson]

From a taste point of veiw just about any POT DISTILLED single or blended MALT whisky will "walk all over"(polite expression) the mass produced supermarket stuff.

 

[druid1966]

30 y/o Tallisker for me. Its all I can afford...outstanding tatse and I would not want to know better.

 

[johncrobinson]

Tallisker nice !!! But at 30 yrs old i think it would be getting a bit pricy

 

[druid1966]

Yeah...its up there for sure. I only have that one on special occasions ( my brother showing up...etc ) other than that the 18 will suffice.

 

[Tony C]

I do like good drop of whiskey, see attached
My favourite is the quarter cask laphroiag, but a wee drop of 16 lagavulin goes down nicely
TC

 

[Dexter101]

I do like good drop of whiskey, see attached
My favourite is the quarter cask laphroiag, but a wee drop of 16 lagavulin goes down nicely
TC

Life goals! That looks amazing

 

[johncrobinson]

Re:> Tony C That is an amazing shrine to whisky. Where abouts in you house is it ?

 

[Tony C]

In the dining room, opposite corner to my self built 104 bottle wine rack lol

 

[MmmBeer]

Nice selection, from all over Scotland and beyond. I've worked extensively across Speyside and the Highlands and developed more of a taste for those whiskies than the big peaty Islay style ones. The most I have spent was about £50 on a 15 yo Balvenie, was worth it!