Don't Spill: Five Whiskies That Cost More Than $3K

Rare and prestigious distillations are being sold at a premium these days.

ByABC News
January 13, 2014, 2:46 PM
Glenmorangie 1981.
Glenmorangie 1981.
Glenmorangie

Jan. 13, 2014— -- intro: "Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough," Mark Twain is oft-quoted as having once said. But one wonders what he would have thought about paying thousands of dollars for a single bottle. A number of leading distillers have recently unveiled labels at more than $3,000 each. The following five are available to those with a taste for the finer things and very deep pockets.

quicklist: 1title: The John Walker - $3,200text: If you love Johnnie Walker and want to really impress your friends, check out The John Walker. Made to order from a marrying cask made of 100-year-old wood, this luxury whisky arrives in an individually numbered Baccarat crystal decanter "with Baccarat crystal stopper and a 24K gold plated neck collar," described representatives. The 330 bottles released in the United States are described as being sophisticated, smooth and sweet, with a refined smoky finish.media: 21490773

quicklist: 2title: Glenmorangie 1981 - $3,600text: Created after a 28-year maturation period exclusively inside Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes white wine casks, Pride 1981 lives inside a Baccarat crystal decanter and has a protective wooden case. Experts describe the taste as having flavors of apple tart, nutmeg and aniseed as well as musky oak tones. There are only 1,000 bottles released around the world. media: 21490540

quicklist: 3title: Michter's Celebration Sour Mash - $4,000text: For the production of this luxe Louisville whiskey, Master Distiller Willie Pratt hand selects sour mash whiskey from his favorite barrels -- some contain whiskey over 30 years old, some 20, others he considers "exceptional" -- then blends them into one. The bottle itself features 18K gold lettering. Bottles range in price from $3,500 to $4,000 while a shot in a restaurant is going for around $350 to $500, according to representatives for the distillery. media: 21490936

quicklist: 4title: Macallan M - $4,500text: Tasting of cinnamon, green apple, ginger, sultana and raisins, this single malt scotch whisky practically glows from within. Perhaps some of that luminous quality is due to each individually engraved and numbered crystal Lalique decanter, designed by Fabien Baron. Only 355 bottles were released in the United States.media: 21491034

quicklist: 5title: Highland Park Linn 40-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky - $40,000text: In celebration of its 40th anniversary, longstanding artisan turntable label Linn collaborated with Highland Park on a limited edition box set, a marriage of music and whisky. Included in the package is a bottle of 40-year single malt and a Sondek LP12 turntable encased in a whisky wood plinth, made from the same solid oak casks that were used to let the Highland Park mature. media: 21491192