Irish Single Malt becomes the world’s most expensive whisky

The Craft Irish Whisky Co has sold a bottle of The Emerald Isle whisky to American collector Mike Daley for $2.8 million, marking a record for the world’s most expensive whisky.

“The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor. Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market,” said Mike Daley, one of the US’ most prolific collectors of the spirit.

“But we’re only just starting to see luxury Irish make a name for itself. I guarantee you that in the years to come, it will get to where scotch is today.”

A bottle of The Macallan 1926 sold for $2.7 million at auction last November, momentarily becoming the world’s most expensive bottle, a title now held by The Emerald Isle, indicating a shift in the tastes of luxury collectors, many of whom believe the Scotch market has grown overcrowded.

The Craft Irish Whisky Co, founded in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, was the most highly recognised new firm of the year in 2021, accumulating a total of 12 accolades across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whisky releases.

Last year, the company won 44 medals in total, including Gold and Silver at the IWSC Taste medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze at the World Whisky Awards, and a Master Medal for The Donn at The Drinks Business Autumn Bling Tasting.