Cask Of 1975 Malt Scotch Whiskey Just Sold for $19 Million

The record for the most expensive cask of whiskey has now been shattered. This is definitely an understatement and once you see what this one sold for, you will understand why.

According to Food and Wine, the old record was $1.2 million but this cask has sold for a whopping $19 million!

This is a 1975 Ardbeg Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey and we are jealous that we are unable to imbibe ourselves.

A private collector who resides in Asia is the one who will be taking this one home just wait until you see the terms of the agreement that they have struck. The cask is known as Cask Number 3 and it is one of the oldest that Ardbeg has ever released. The cask is especially valued since it has been able to survive the distillery’s two close calls with closure.

Additionally, this cask was created during a time when a very minimal amount of single malt was created by Ardbeg. The 1970s were simply a much different time period in this regard. From there, you have to factor certain other aspects into the equation. The distillery was closed for much of the following two decades.

“This sale is a source of pride for everyone in the Ardbeg community who has made our journey possible. Just 25 years ago, Ardbeg was on the brink of extinction, but today it is one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world. That is a reflection of generations of hard work: from those in the stillhouse who craft our smoky spirit, to the warehouse staff who care for our casks over decades, to teams around the world who build the reputation of our whiskies with fans, bartenders and collectors,” said Ardbeg CEO Thomas Moradpour, according to the Whiskey Reviewer.

As the cask is matured and bottled, the collector will receive 88 bottles per year until 2026. We will leave you with the company’s description of the cask (and ask you that you please drink responsibly):

“Created in a bygone era when the Distillery still malted its barley onsite, the smoky, balanced spirit of cask No. 3 was distilled on Tuesday, 25th November 1975, and laid down to age in two separate casks – a bourbon and an Oloroso sherry.

Those casks were patiently matured by generations of Ardbeg’s skilled warehouse workers over 38 years. Then Ardbeg’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, decided to marry the two casks, creating an even more extraordinary single malt. On 31st March 2014, he transferred their whisky into a single refill Oloroso butt, selected to give only the subtlest of wood influence. There it has remained ever since. Today, more than 46 years after its story began, this single malt is a smorgasbord of sherried, smoky aromas and rich, elegant tastes.”