When something is so irresistibly charming that it stirs a playful urge to devour it whole, we call it ‘cute aggression.’ A similar sentiment might be sparked by the sight of the enticing, never-before-released Scotch whisky from the Chivas Brothers portfolio. Sotheby’s has teamed up with Chivas Brothers (The owner of The Glenlivet and Aberlour) to auction The Glenlivet 55-Year-Old, 200th Anniversary Edition, One of One. This bespoke, one-of-a-kind bottle is a single malt aged for over half a century (55 years), the highest age statement ever released by The Glenlivet distillery. Moreover, it is presented in a style that’s absolutely worthy of this exclusive 200th-anniversary release.
It may not be easy to peel one’s eyes away from the 55-year-old liquid, but once that feat is managed, the custom spherical decanter will surely captivate onlookers. It’s a stunning creation, etched in gold to mark it as one of one. The decanter, resembling the gaping gold mouth of a hippopotamus, rests on a plinth embellished with 37 pavé-set peridots on the 24-carat gold-plated, pure silver cowl with enamel decorations. Designed by architect Michael Hansmeyer, it features exquisite emerald quartzite and 3D-printed art.
This special lot will be available for auction from October 22, 2024, to November 5, 2024, as part of Sotheby’s London sale of Finest & Rarest Whisky. The estimated value is between $45,000 and $92,000, with all proceeds going to the National Trust for Scotland, dedicated to preserving Scotland’s habitats and cultural heritage.
Another brand that marked a milestone with a dazzling decanter is The Macallan. In September, The Macallan released its oldest whisky to date, an 84-year-old masterpiece, to celebrate its 200-year history. The dual-chamber decanter included an outer chamber holding the oldest whisky from 1940, while the inner chamber housed a sample from the first release from its new distillery.
