An American collector has paid a world record $2.8 million for a bottle of whiskey.
Millionaire Mike Daley from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, purchased the bottle of Emerald Isle, a 30-year-old Irish whiskey, at an auction arranged by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
Daley told US media he decided to purchase the rare bottle after having a successful night playing cards with wealthy buddies aboard a luxury yacht in the US.
The price eclipsed the previous world record of $2.7 million set by The Macallan 1926 at a London auction last year.
The Emerald is a rare, triple-distilled single malt whiskey.
The astonishing prices confirm aged whiskey as a worthy investment, Daley said.
“Irish is the future of whiskey,” Mr Daley said.
“I’m excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker.”
He does not think he paid too much.
“The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor,” he said.
“Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But we’re only just starting to see luxury Irish make a name for itself.”
Mr Daley has been named as one of the US’ most prolific collectors of the spirit, with a vast collection with several thousand bottles of Irish, American, and Scotch whiskeys and whiskies.
Daley’s bottle was one of only seven made.
It underwent three decades of maturation in a variety of casks to intensify the flavour.
Daely’s bottle was presented in a handsome walnut case with a Faberge watch, a Faberge egg containing an emerald gemstone and two priceless Cuban Cohiba cigars resting in an inbuilt humidor.
Jay Bradley, founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co said the sale of the most expensive whiskey or whisky ever sold was a “monumental achievement” for his business.
(SKY NEWS)
