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When The Macallan put together it’s Lalique Legacy Collection—a set of six crystal decanters containing some of the rarest of The Macallan’s single malts aged from 50 to 65 years old—for a charity auction in Hong Kong on Sunday, April 2nd, it was expected to fetch a princely sum. Some of those Lalique single malts already rank individually among the world’s most expensive whiskies, and the rule is forming a desirable collection only compounds the value.
What wasn’t expected was that the Lalique Legacy Collection would fetch US$993,000 (HK$7.7 million) at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, and become part of what, according to The Macallan, a lot that set a new record high for whiskies at auction. Dubbed “The Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan,” this auction lot was sold for than US$6.5 million (HK$51.1 million). In addition to being the new world record for any lot of whisky sold at auction, this was also the third highest value lot ever sold by Sotheby’s wine.
Following more than a decade of collaboration, the highly coveted collection marks the grand finale in the prestigious Six Pillars odyssey, an exclusive series of limited edition decanters by The Macallan and master French crystal maker Lalique. As the world’s only complete collection, official and direct from The Macallan, The Legacy Collection was listed in Sotheby’s ‘Finest & Rarest Wines and The Macallan’ auction in , with all net proceeds to be donated to Hong Kong based and other Asian charities.
Housed in a bespoke natural ebony cabinet created by Lalique Maison, The Legacy Collection also holds six Macallan Fine and Rare miniatures; two from each of the 1937, 1938 and 1939 vintages (signifying the zenith of Lalique’s contribution in the French Art Deco period) and six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses, each serial numbered tocommemorate the unique partnership. Autographs of the masters behind the collection are also included inside the cabinet and allow for the buyer to have their own name engraved within it as well.
Ken Grier, Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “This remarkable conclusion to The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series is a symbol of the strength behind our long-standing partnership and our unwavering commitment to going beyond the ordinary. To achieve this outstanding price at auction is testament to the quality, detail and absolute skill and mastery of the Lalique craftsmen and our expert whisky makers and we are proud that this work of art has secured a wonderful contribution to Asian charities.”
Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, said: “The unprecedented price achieved for The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection reflects the exceptional nature of the piece – a complete one off and highly collectable work of art which marries the two houses. Masters in their respective fields, Lalique and The Macallan are joined by mutual respect and an unwavering commitment to craft, artistry and beauty. Since our partnership first began in 2005, it has achieved a number of world record prices at auction and we are delighted to provide both The Macallan and Lalique connoisseurs the opportunity to own something truly remarkable whilst contributing to Asian charities.”
Robert Sleigh, Senior Director at Sotheby’s Asia, said, “It has been an honor for Sotheby’s to work with The Macallan and Lalique once again in offering this unique Macallan Collection that combines the exemplary artisanal skills of both Macallan and Lalique, to produce this once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire such a rare collectable item. The enthusiasm of over ten bidders in the room, online and over the phone demonstrates the importance with which global collectors regard The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection and the significance of its direct from the distillery provenance. It is fitting that it achieved a new world record for any lot of whisky ever sold at auction.”
The six exceptional whiskies contained in the cabinet are:
The Macallan in Lalique – Exceptional Oak Cask, 50 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Natural Colour, 55 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Finest Cut, 57 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Curiously Small Stills, 60 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Spiritual Home, 62 Years Old
The Macallan in Lalique – Peerless Spirit, 65 Years Old
The charities set to receive funding from the proceeds of the auction include those which benefit disadvantaged people in Hong Kong and throughout Asia, by supporting them with food needs, skills to help them back into employment and medical requirements.
