One Of The Most Valuable Whisky Collections Ever Is Now On Auction

Whisky collectors will want to set a calendar reminder for May 11th of this year. On that date Sotheby’s in New York brings The Legacy Collection under the hammer. The 142-lot trove includes some of the most exclusive distilled liquids on the planet and is expected to fetch as much as $1.9 million at the live auction. Here’s what you’ll get in exchange for that mighty sum…

Although the collection counts plenty of notable Japanese whiskies and bourbons in its ranks, it’s really all about The Macallan Fine and Rare. The series of vintage offerings was introduced by the legendary scotch brand back in 2002. Since then, it has released single expressions in drips and drabs—59 separate vintages in total. The elder statesman among them, distilled in 1926, set a world record three years ago in London when a single bottle was sold for £1.5 million.

While you won’t find that particular vintage amongst this bounty, there is no less than 13 others to choose from. In fact, according to Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Head of Whisky & Spirits, “the Legacy Collection showcases what is undoubtedly one of the most complete Macallan Fine & Rare collections ever to come to auction as part of one of the most significant single owner sales offered on US soil.”

A highlight here promises to be a 1957 vintage, originally bottled in 1972 at 15 years in age. There was only enough liquid to fill 15 bottles for its Fine & Rare release—marking it as one of the finest and rarest of the entire series, second only to the aforementioned 1926 unicorn.

In addition to these hallowed Macallan liquids, the Legacy Collection also features a bevy of extra old scotch. The sort which would make any single malt aficionado gush: a half-century-old release from The Balvenie; eight bottles worth The Dalmore 25 Year Old, 38-year-old Brora.

Nothing has been published about the single collector who amassed this singularly exceptional store of whiskies. And it’s probably for the best, as they would undoubtedly have had a whole lot of strangers knocking on their door looking to make friends. We do know that it took decades for them to compile and that they are, indeed, a massive fan of consuming such liquids, in addition to collecting.

In advance of the May 11th auction, you can now register at Sotheby’s to place advance bids on any of the 142 lots featured in the Legacy Collection. Or simply head over to the website to browse at what is included. Happy hunting.