Identity of Purchaser of World’s Largest Whisky Bottle Unveiled

UPDATE


Aug 31, 2023 9:30 AM CDT

A Vietnamese man has emerged as the owner of the most expensive whisky cask ever sold at auction, valued at $190 million. Viet Nguyen Dinh Tuan purchased the 32-year-old Macallan single malt whisky cask for nearly $1.2 million. Standing at 5 feet 11 inches with a capacity of 311 liters, the whisky bottle has also been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. Viet’s collection in Ho Chi Minh City includes the largest bottle of cognac, the oldest bottle of whisky, and the only complete Macallan Fine & Rare Collection. The auction was arranged by Daniel Monk of Cask World, who describes Viet as a preservationist of whisky history.

Apr 26, 2022 9:40 AM CDT

In a remarkable auction sale, a Macallan fan purchased a cask of their favorite whisky for almost $1.2 million, setting a new record for the most expensive cask ever sold. The cask, produced by the Scottish distillery in 1988, was forgotten and left untouched for 34 years until the buyer, reportedly an expatriate, finally claimed it after being reminded by the distillery. The 100-gallon barrel was sold at Whisky Hammer’s online sale and the haul is enough to fill 534 700-milliliter bottles. Daniel Milne, the co-founder of Whisky Hammer, states that casks of this age and size, particularly from The Macallan, are extremely rare.

The previous record for the highest-priced whisky cask sold at auction was held by another Macallan barrel in 2021, which sold for around $560,000. The buyer of the recent Macallan whisky, described as having a “slightly nutty mouthfeel” and “waves of sweetness” with hints of oak, leather, and spices, remains undisclosed but is known to be a private individual based in the United States. This remarkable purchase adds to the growing fascination and appreciation for fine whiskies. (Read more whisky stories.)