Most expensive whiskey in the world

A rare Japanese whisky just became the most expensive ever sold at auction.

The Spirits Business reports that a limited edition bottle of Yamazaki 50-year-old single malt fetched $300,000 at Sotheby’s Finest and Rarest sale in Hong Kong.

That’s more than double its pre-sale price estimate of $140,000.

Paul Wong, specialist at Sotheby’s Wine, Asia, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the new world auction record set by the Yamazaki Aged 50 Years NV, the highest price achieved for any single bottle of Japanese whisky, illustrating a whisky market in full swing.”

Assuming that the bottle contains a fifth of its ultra-rare nectar, each pour is worth around a staggering $16,500. That’s one helluva hangover.

While the Yamakazi may sound absurdly expensive, it’s a long way off from the priciest whisky ever sold. In 2014, a bottle of Macallan Imperiale M set the record with a $628,205 price tag at Sotheby’s.

Granted, the faceted crystal decanter held 6 liters of hooch and took 7 craftsmen 50 hours to complete.

For something a little more affordable but probably just as delicious, check out our boozy lists of the 10 best single malt scotches, 10 rare whiskey collections, and the absolute best whiskeys of 2017.