World's most expensive whisky set to break auction records

The second half of one late passionate and obsessive whisky collector is about to go under the hammer next month.

Dubbed the 'Perfect Collection,' it boasts over 1,900 bottles of the rarest, most coveted and expensive single malts in existence, including many from Scotland’s long-lost distilleries. Online whisky auction specialists, Whisky Auctioneer will host the auction that will take place 12-22 February 2021.

The coveted Collection is that of the late American businessman and philanthropist, Mr Richard Gooding, who dedicated over two decades to collecting whiskies from almost every Scottish distillery. He was passionate about Scotch, its provenance, and the iconic distilleries that craft it.  He regularly travelled to Scotland in search of rare bottles to satiate his desire to create the 'perfect collection' - representing every Scottish distillery, open or closed.

His Collection would grow to become an eclectic library of 3,900 bottles of primarily single malt whisky. It is one of the largest and most significant whisky collections ever to go to public auction.

Featuring in Part Two of the auction and the biggest drawcard, is the world’s most expensive bottle of whisky – The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60-Year-Old.

Drawn from hallowed Cask #263, it contains liquid distilled nearly a century ago in the height of America’s Prohibition. It is one of no more than fourteen in the world and features the iconic Fine and Rare label.

The whisky is considered the most coveted in existence and the pinnacle in rare whisky collecting. It is expected to fetch a price of over £1m.

Other collectable whiskies also up for grabs include The Balvenie 1937 50-Year-Old and the 1921 private cask bottling of Dallas Dhu which has not been seen on the secondary market for over 25 years. 

The Perfect Collection Auction Part Two follows Part One which took place in February 2020, fetching a total hammer price of £3.2million with Whisky Auctioneers becoming the first online auction house to sell a million-dollar bottle.

Founder of Whisky Auctioneer, Iain McClune said of the Collection, “Mr Gooding's Collection is nothing short of extraordinary, and we are honoured and delighted to bring it to auction. Collectors, investors and whisky lovers alike will have their interest sparked by the truly astonishing array of whiskies on offer.

"Undoubtedly the entire Collection is crowned by the incomparable The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare, a whisky that has in recent years become the pinnacle of whisky collecting and for good reason. With no more than 14 bottles in existence, the rarity of this opportunity cannot be overstated, and we anticipate that the battle for this icon of whisky will be a mighty one."