Editor’s Note
The Macallan 1926 Adami, a bottle of whisky that fetched over £2.18 million at a 2023 London auction, continues to hold its record as one of the world’s most expensive spirits. Its enduring status as “Liquid Gold” remains a global talking point.
Edinburgh–London: The Macallan 1926 Adami, counted among the world’s rarest and most expensive whiskies, is once again in the spotlight. To this day, this bottle holds a record in the auction world and is known as “Liquid Gold” in the premium spirits market. In an auction held in London in November 2023, it sold for over £2.18 million. In Indian currency, this amount comes to approximately 23 to 24 crore rupees. Even in 2026, this record remains a topic of global discussion.
This whisky, produced at The Macallan distillery in Scotland in 1926, was placed in a special sherry-seasoned oak cask, number 263, to mature. It was kept in this exceptionally high-quality cask for a full 60 years.
When it was bottled in 1986, only 40 bottles were drawn from this cask. This extremely limited number made it a rare collectible from the very beginning.
These 40 bottles were released in different special editions. Twelve of these bottles featured a label designed by Italian pop art artist Valerio Adami. This is called the “Adami Edition.”
Similarly, some bottles had labels by British artist Sir Peter Blake, while others were released with simple labels.
Adami’s label was created in a modern art style, transforming this bottle from merely a beverage into an artistic heritage. This fusion of art and premium spirit makes it even more special for collectors.
In November 2023, at the prestigious auction house Sotheby’s in London, The Macallan 1926 Adami Edition made new history.
This bottle sold for £2,187,500. This is one of the highest prices ever paid for any wine or spirit at auction.
According to experts, this price was possible not only because of its taste or age, but due to its historicity, rarity, and brand value.
There are several major reasons behind its price.
First, its extreme rarity. Only a handful of its bottles exist in the world.
Second, the 60-year maturation. Whisky kept in a cask for such a long period is extremely rare.
Third, the global prestige of the Macallan brand. This brand is already known for premium and luxury spirits.
Fourth, the value of art. The label by an international artist like Adami also places it in the category of an art collection.
Fifth, the appeal as an investment. For wealthy investors, this is not just alcohol, but an alternative investment asset called “Liquid Gold.”
Experts say that despite 60 years of maturation, the balance and taste of this whisky remained exceptional.
It is said to have had a complex combination of dried fruits, spices, oak, and deep sherry notes. However, today this bottle is considered more of a collectible heritage than something to be drunk.
The auction of rare whiskies has become a distinct market worldwide. Editions like Macallan 1926 are at the pinnacle of this market.
Every few years, when a bottle of it comes up for auction, the attention of global media and collectors focuses on it.
The Macallan 1926 Adami is not just a whisky, but a remarkable fusion of time, art, and rarity. Its journey, which began in 1926, reached a multi-crore auction in 2023.
This story tells us that a bottle once considered ordinary can, over time, become a priceless treasure in the worlds of history, art, and investment.