The world’s largest bottle of Scotch whisky, standing 5 foot 11 inches tall and filled with a record breaking 311 litres of 32-year-old Macallan, is set to go under the hammer.
When it goes on sale at Edinburgh-based Lyon & Turnbull next month, containing the equivalent of 444 standard bottles, it is hoped The Intrepid will smash through the £1.5m mark and become the most expensive ever sold.
Colin Fraser, a consultant at Lyon & Turnbull, said: “I’m sure there will be significant global interest in the auction of The Intrepid, a unique collection spearheaded by the record-breaking bottling standing at an incredible 5ft 11ins tall.”
The Intrepid was officially certified by Guinness World Records when it was bottled last year, and auctioneers said any amount the sale achieves above £1.3m, 25% will be donated to the Marie Curie charity.
Charles MacLean, Scotch whisky expert and Master of the Quaich, said: “The Intrepid is an elegant whisky, with subtle complexity.
“Its pale hue implies second or third fill casks, which has prevented the flavour being dominated by wood extractives.
“Intriguing and easy to enjoy straight - with (many) friends - on any occasion.”
After maturing in two sister casks in Macallan’s Speyside warehouse for 32 years, the exclusive liquid was bottled last year by Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky.
A small number of sets were also produced, each a collection of 12 bottles, filled with the remaining 32-year-old Macallan whisky from the same casks used to fill the record-breaking bottle.
Each set includes a replica of the main bottle design, along with individual versions dedicated to each of the explorers associated with the project.
The entire Intrepid Collection, led by the 311-litre bottle, will be auctioned on 25 May.
It was named The Intrepid in honour of the drive and record-breaking achievements of 11 of the world’s most pioneering explorers who are featured on the bottle, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Jamie Ramsay and Karen Darke.
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