A new world record has been set for any whisky sold at auction following the sale of two rare vintage Macallan bottles. Two bottles of Macallan 60-year-old whisky, each expected to fetch between HK$3.6m - 4.6m, went up for auction at Bonhams Hong Kong on May 18. One of them has a label designed by Peter Blake, who is best known for designing Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album whereas the other bottle label was designed by Italian Pop Art artist Valerio Adami. 

The whisky was distilled in 1926 and bottled in 1986. Only 12 bottles of each label were made and they were gifted to Macallan's most valuable customers. The 1986 Macallan Whisky offered at the sale are two of the 24 bottles produced.

Peter Blake is best known for designing Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album

Peter Blake

The one with label designed by Peter Blake was hammered down at HK$6.5m and sold for HK$7.96m (US$1.01m) with buyer’s premium. Peter Blake is best known for designing Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

Valerio Adami

The label of another bottle of 1986 Macallan was designed by Valerio Adami, an Italian Pop Art artist. He is famous for using bold colours and black lines in his art.

The record was further pushed when the Valerio-Adami Macallan was hammered down at HK$7.05m and sold for HK$8.63m (US$1.1m) with buyer’s premium to a bidder in the room, breaking the record for any whisky sold at auction.

Holy Grail of Whisky

60-Year-Old Macallan with label designed by Peter Blake

Lot no.: 381
Estimate: HK$3,600,000 - 4,600,000
Hammer price: HK$6,500,000
Price realised: HK$7,962,500

60-Year-Old Macallan with label designed by Valerio Adami

Lot no.: 608
Estimate: HK$3,600,000 - 4,600,000
Hammer price: HK$7,050,000
Price realised: HK$8,636,250

Auction details

Auction house: Bonhams Hong Kong
Sale: Rare and Fine Wine and Whisky Sale
Sale date: 2018/5/18