Introduction
If you’ve ever wondered where your favorite spirit ends up, this is a list for you. We've compiled a list of the most expensive bottles of alcohol ever sold at auction and who bought them. Many of these spirits were purchased for investment purposes, but others were just collectors looking for something unique. In any case, these are some truly amazing prices that will make any drinker jealous!
Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac
The most expensive bottle of alcohol ever sold is Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac, which went for $2.2 million in 2010. This bottle was created exclusively for the Russian market and is a blend of 40 eaux-de-vie from 100 year old oak barrels that were blended by respected Master Blender Yann Fillioux-Lanoue.
The cognac was bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and sealed with wax to age for 20 years before being released into the market.
Diva Vodka
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What is Diva Vodka?
Diva vodka is a luxury brand of vodka made in Scotland. It's distilled from Scottish barley and water from the spring at the foot of Ben Rinnes, the highest peak in the Cairngorms. The distillery that produces Diva is located near Aberlour, a town on Speyside known for its whisky production.
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How much does it cost?
A bottle of Diva Vodka can retail for over $3,000 USD!
The Macallan 'M'
The Macallan 'M' was sold for $460,000 at auction in Hong Kong. It's believed to be one of the oldest bottles ever made by The Macallan distillery, which began making whisky in 1824. The whisky was distilled in 1926 and bottled in 1938—making it a whopping 72 years old. According to Forbes, this particular bottle could not have been made until after 1926 because that year was when the distillery switched from using coal to oil as an energy source for heating its stills.
Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
If you're a whisky connoisseur who likes to go all-in on the drinking experience, we've got some news for you: The Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky is currently on the market and will cost you $160,000 to purchase. Bottled in 2008 at 21 years old and 43% ABV (alcohol by volume), it's one of the most expensive bottles ever sold.
The Dalmore distillery was founded in 1839 by James Matheson, who also founded Jardine Matheson & Co. Ltd., one of Asia's largest conglomerates at the time (and still going strong). The original distillery was located on the Isle of Skye but was moved to its current location after being acquired by William Mackenzie and Sons Ltd., which then became Allied Domecq later absorbed into Pernod Ricard SA before finally ending up as part of Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc., which sold off its various alcohol brands including Dewar's Scotch whiskies.
Kors Vodka
Kors Vodka is a luxury vodka brand that has been distilled in France since 1776. The bottle itself has a unique shape and is made of crystal, which makes it one of the most expensive bottles of alcohol ever sold. It also features 1,300 diamonds on its surface, making it one of the most valuable vodkas in the world.
Tequila Ley .925 – Nectar of the Gods
If you’re a tequila aficionado, chances are you’ve heard of Tequila Ley .925. This premium tequila is named after the distillery where it’s made: “Ley” means “law,” and the number 925 is a nod to the town where it comes from (San José del Rincón). What makes this particular bottle so expensive? For one thing, each bottle was crafted by hand using old-fashioned methods that have been passed down through generations of master distillers. It's also limited edition: only 2,016 bottles were ever produced.
The most expensive bottle of Tequila Ley .925 sold at auction in 2014 for $225,000—and it just might be worth every penny if you can get your hands on some!
Armand de Brignac Midas Champagne
The most expensive bottle of alcohol ever sold was a limited edition Armand de Brignac Midas Champagne, which went for $14 million in 2013. Made from grapes grown in France's Champagne region, the wine is then aged for about two years before being bottled. The name comes from King Midas, who was said to have had the power to turn anything he touched into gold (hence the golden bottle).
The luxury beverage was originally created by Andre Pierre Arnault's LVMH Group as part of its partnership with Jay Z's Roc Nation label—hence why it bears his initials "A" and "R." It was released at an event hosted by Jay Z himself called "Billionaire Basement Party," where guests were served Dom Perignon Rose instead of champagne because no one wanted any bubbles ruining their manis.
At least two bottles were sold during this event; one for $14 million and another for $20 million.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 Wine
A bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 Wine sold for $160,000 at a Christie’s auction in 1986. The wine had been aging in oak barrels for 45 years and was produced from the Bordeaux region of France. The 1,000 bottles that were produced were never released to the general public—only some special guests received them as gifts from the Rothschild family.
Isabella’s Islay Whiskey
Isabella’s Islay Whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey produced by the Islay distillery on the island of Islay. It was named after the wife of Charles Gordon, who owned the distillery from 1846 until his death in 1860. The whiskey was first sold in 1994 and retailed for around $350 per bottle until recently when it sold for $7960 per bottle at auction.
Dalmore 64 Trinitas Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Dalmore 64 Trinitas Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
This cask strength whiskey from Dalmore is the world’s most expensive whisky and it only took three bottles to earn that title. The first bottle sold for $460,000 at auction in 2010, making it the most valuable bottle of alcohol ever sold at that time.
The second was offered for sale by Bonhams New York in 2016 with a starting bid of $300,000 (it eventually went for $200,000). In 2017, the third and final bottle was auctioned off by Sotheby's Hong Kong to an anonymous bidder for a whopping $408,898—making them all three of the highest priced bottles ever sold.
All spirits are not made some are more than just made
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Some spirits are made from a combination of things, but some spirits are simply made.
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If you've ever asked yourself "What does make this alcohol?", then this article is for you.
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Spirits are not always created using the same ingredients or process. There are many different types of alcohol that can be produced from many different sources and methods.
Conclusion
There are so many different types of alcohol and different ways to enjoy it. The most expensive bottles may not be the best, but they sure are entertaining! We hope you enjoyed learning about these incredible drinks and their unique stories.