$1million The Macallan sale breaks record

A collection of Macallan whiskies has become the most expensive lot of whisky ever sold at auction after fetching US$993,000 at Sotheby's Hong Kong.

The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection consisted of six bottle Macallan whiskies aged 50 to 65-years-old. 

All proceeds will be donated to Hong Kong-based and other Asian charities.

The collection consisted of: The Macallan in Lalique – Exceptional Oak Cask, 50 Years Old; The Macallan in Lalique – Natural Colour, 55 Years Old; The Macallan in Lalique – Finest Cut, 57 Years Old; The Macallan in Lalique – Curiously Small Stills, 60 Years Old; The Macallan in Lalique – Spiritual Home, 62 Years Old; The Macallan in Lalique – Peerless Spirit, 65 Years Old.

“This remarkable conclusion to The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series is a symbol of the strength behind our long-standing partnership and our unwavering commitment to going beyond the ordinary,” said Ken Grier, creative director for The Macallan.

“To achieve this outstanding price at auction is testament to the quality, detail and absolute skill and mastery of the Lalique craftsmen and our expert whisky makers, and we are proud that this work of art has secured a wonderful contribution to Asian charities.”

Spirits Platform's The Macallan deal takes effect

The news comes in the same week as Spirits Platform's new distribution deal with The Edrington Group became effective. The deal was marked by the addition of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old to the agreement.

The group announced in February that it would move its portfolio of whisky brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark from Beam Suntory and Coca-Cola to Spirits Platform.

Now the group has announced that it will also bring the newest release from its distillery in Scotland out to Australia with Spirits Platform.

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is a sweet single malt with a balanced and honeyed character that has been aged in sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks.

The new expression will be ranged alongside the Fine Oak 12 Years Old, offering Australia’s whisky connoisseurs two luxury Speyside whiskies for RRP $110.

Spirits Platform will also distribute other revered Macallan expressions, including the 1824 Master Series’ The Macallan Rare Cask, a whisky crafted from only handpicked Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks, with an exceptionally high proportion of them being first fill.

Spirits Platform also plans to release the The Macallan Edition No. 2, a collaboration between master whisky maker Bob Dalgarno and globally celebrated restaurateurs the Roca brothers, founders of El Celler de Can Roca, twice voted best restaurant in the world.

Spirits Platform CEO, Ian Atherton said, “The opportunity to represent the world’s most luxurious single malt whisky portfolio is a real milestone."

“This latest variant is an exciting, new style of The Macallan which we are sure will appeal to our valued customer and ultimately, existing and new Macallan drinkers across Australia.”