Moray whisky cask sells for record-breaking £1 million
The cask was originally filled at The Macallan in 1988
A rare "forgotten" cask of whisky from Moray has sold for more than £1 million at auction in what is said to be a new world record.
Whisky enthusiasts from around the world placed bids on the 374-litre cask, distilled at The Macallan in 1988, in the online auction which ended on Sunday evening.
It sold for 1,295,500 US dollars (£1,017,000) in the online auction on the Whisky Hammer site, breaking the record set in 2021 by Bonhams for the sale of a 30-year-old, re-racked, Sherry hogshead from Macallan, which fetched 574,000 US dollars (£439,000).
The cask, originally filled on May 5 1988, had been held in bond at the Macallan Distillery in Moray for almost 34 years.
It was bought on a whim by an expat who then forgot about it for more than three decades until they were reminded by Macallan that it was still maturing in the warehouse.
Potential to make history
Daniel Milne, co-founder and managing director of Whisky Hammer, told MFR News: "When the cask was listed in our auction, we knew it had potential to make history.
"Of course, it's always a bit nervy until we get to work and make it happen, but certainly this type of task is very rare and highly desirable, so we weren't too surprised that we got the global attention that it deserved."
The cask was bought by a private individual based in the US.
If bottled today, it would yield 534 x 70cl bottles of single malt whisky, distilled at The Macallan.
Mr Milne said: "What makes it special is really the age and the quality and the size of the cask.
"That's enhanced by the fact that this liquid was originally distilled at The Macallan, and that's reflected in the global attention that this cask has achieved."
"We were absolutely delighted. It's been an incredibly exciting week for everyone at Whisky Hammer, being involved in this sale that's gone on to become a record breaker. Delighted for the seller, and glad we were able to achieve a top price for them.
Whisky Hammer is a family-run auction service founded by brothers Daniel and Craig Milne.
The sale price included buyer's premium.