Fermented grain mash aged in barrels produces this alcoholic favorite. Although the first written record of the beverage did not appear until the 15th century, it is believed to have been around for hundreds of years prior to that time. It was only within the past few decades, however, that whisky entered into the world of exclusivity and prestige.
"It used to be that a [$200] bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label was the crème de la crème," says Jonathan Goldstein, vice president of New York-based Park Avenue Liquors. "Now, there seems to be no limit at the high end of whisky."
Indeed. In addition to the recent $20,000 bottles featured in the John Walker 1805 Pack, bottles from the 1926 Macallan Fine and Rare Collection are priced at nearly $40,000. Unfortunately, though, there aren't any left to be sold. Nonetheless, in lieu of the hefty per-bottle price tag, you still have the option to have a taste when you purchase a dram at the Old Homestead Steakhouse in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ, for $3,300.
Tequila
Produced by Ley .925, only 66 bottles are available for purchase. Interestingly, this particular tequila earned a spot in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive bottle of alcohol sold when it was purchased in October 2006 for $225,000. Thereafter, Ley .925 created The Diamond Sterling, featuring a one-of-a-kind bottle dipped in platinum and encrusted with diamonds, hoping to shatter its own previous Guinness record. The value of The Diamond Sterling is estimated at nearly $1.5 million.
Vodka
This alcoholic beverage typically distilled from fermented potatoes, grain, or molasses is believed to have been developed in the European region that now encompasses Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, and western Russia. Since its inception in the 14th century, however, the drink has come a long way in terms of distillation, bottling, and price.
In addition to the gems that are used to distill the alcohol, each bottle comes with a 6.5-millimeter column filled with precious gems. Combinations include DIVA Marina (featuring sapphire, peridot, and aquamarine,) DIVA Cassandra (featuring emerald, black diamonds, and tourmaline), DIVA Amelia (featuring light rose, siam, and jonquil), and DIVA Spice (featuring citrine, yellow beryl, and yellow sapphire.) Depending on the stones used, prices per bottle vary from $3,700 to $1 million.
Here's to blissful, sophisticated, and responsible drinking. Cheers.
