The Edrington Group’s The Macallan has claimed the Guinness World Record for “˜most expensive whisky sold at auction’. The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique Cire Perdue has sold for US$460,000 (£291,125) at Sotheby’s New York, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the charity water, which provides access to clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.
The historic auction took place on November 2010 following the Lalique crystal decanter’s 12-city tour of the world. The decanter, pictured in our Moodie Magnifier below, houses the oldest and rarest juice ever bottled by The Macallan.
The Macallan Director of Fine and Rare Whiskies David Cox commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the Guinness World Record for the most expensive whisky sold at auction. This major accolade from such a world-renowned and respected organisation proves once and for all that The Macallan is the world record holder.”
He continued: “We had a phenomenal response around the world to this very special and rare decanter and I feel it is a fitting tribute to the inspiring project which managed to raise a staggering US$600,000 overall for charity: water.”
Lalique President and CEO Silvio Denz added: “We are enormously proud of this world record we share with our friends at The Macallan, with whom we have successfully collaborated since 2004. Over the years our crystal decanters, which are entirely handcrafted by our glassmakers, have proved hugely admired and sought-after by whisky consumers and connoisseurs as well as collectors of Lalique crystal and lovers of beautiful “˜objets d’art’. This latest achievement, which was realised through the lost-wax moulding technique, is testament to the exceptional quality, artistry and longstanding tradition that is shared by both Lalique and The Macallan.”
The Macallan and Lalique global fundraising tour has raised more than US$600,000 (£375,000) for charity: water (www.charitywater.org/themacallan).
