Some records are meant to be broken. In 1926 when sherry seasoned cask no. 263 was filled with new-make Macallan spirit in Speyside, Scotland, few would have been able to mark the destiny of this particular single malt whisky. Sixty years later, the patient Macallan whisky making team decided that this particular cask had matured long enough and divided the precious contents into just 40 bottles.

In 1999, one of the remaining bottles was commissioned to be hand-painted by the Irish artist Michael Dillon. Featuring one of our foundational Six Pillars: Easter Elchies House, the bottle itself is an exquisite work of art. Last seen at Fortnum & Mason back in 2000, it has been out of the public eye ever since, until resurfacing at the “Finest and Rarest Wines & Spirits” Christie’s Auction in London on 29 November 2018.

Setting a new world record of £1.2 million for a single bottle of whisky sold at auction, this ‘Holy Grail’ of whiskies is truly a work of art.