Rare whisky is supposed to be in decline.
An extensive industry analysis published recently by financial advisory firm Noble reveals sales of top-shelf Scotch fell 24 per cent by volume and 34 per cent by value from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2024.
Yet the ongoing parade of five-figure bottles hardly seems to be slowing. This month alone has seen the release of the oldest Irish single malt. That was followed a week later by The Glen Grant 65 Year Old, one of the costliest expressions to come out of the legendary Speyside still house.
Now its next-door neighbour, The Glenrothes, is following suit with โThe 51โ โ the oldest and rarest single malt in its 146-year history.
Just 100 bottles will be available worldwide priced at ยฃ37,000 (US$48,000) each. A stratospheric sum on its face, and yet a figure that has become exceedingly common in the perpetual one-upmanship of rare whiskies.