In a remarkable stroke of luck, a whisky enthusiast named Fraser stumbled upon a treasure on eBay—an ultra-rare Macallan 1926 60 Year Old Valerio Adami display case worth £138,600, all for the unbelievable price of under £200.
Fraser, a 58-year-old aficionado of fine whisky, immediately recognised the item as the display case that once housed a bottle of Macallan 1926 60 Year Old whisky, featuring a label designed by renowned Italian artist Valerio Adami. The whisky in this legendary bottle originated from cask #263.
Remarkably, the contents of the cask filled a total of 40 bottles. However, only 12 of these bottles featured labels designed by Valerio Adami, celebrated for his abstract paintings. Tragically, records indicate that at least two of these rare bottles have been lost or destroyed—one was opened and consumed many years ago, and another met its fate during a 2011 earthquake in Japan. Consequently, it’s believed that only 10 bottles bearing Adami’s label remain in existence. In 2020, a Valerio Adami version of the 1926 60 Year Old whisky sold for an astonishing £924,000 in Perth.
Fraser’s journey into whisky collecting began when his wife gifted him a Macallan Private Eye, a moment that sparked his passion for this cherished spirit. He recalled, “My then dram of choice was a Macallan 10 year old. The perfect gift but one I thought far too special to break the seal of.”
Over time, Fraser transitioned from collecting whisky to accumulating Macallan-related merchandise and memorabilia, from beer mats to bridge cards and even an exploration of Albanian shopping malls. He confessed, “There has been much discussion between my wife and I as to what constitutes an obsession, her words, or what is a passion. Let’s just say that I am always on the lookout for something to add to the collection.”
One fateful day, Fraser decided to search for Macallan items on eBay, and that’s when he stumbled upon the exceptionally rare Macallan 1926 case. He recalled the moment: “When checking eBay one day, I could not believe my own eyes. The first image was a close up of a tiny plaque, inscribed with four numerals: 1926. I knew immediately where the plaque belonged and when I opened the set of images, there it was, attached to ‘The Million Dollar Macallan Box’. The 1926 Adami case was missing the plinth, had a hole bored in the bottom but it was undoubtedly the original home for one of the fabled 1926 Macallan bottles. The invitation to open the bidding was set at £199.”
Fraser emerged victorious in the eBay auction, acquiring the priceless case for a mere £199. A decade later, when he decided to part with some of his collection, he reached out to broker Mark Littler for a valuation. To his astonishment, Mark Littler, a seasoned industry expert with over ten years of experience, appraised the case at a staggering £138,600.
Mark explained, ”
This is an incredibly difficult item to value. However, bottles of rare single malt whisky missing their box regularly sell for between 15-30% less than those with their original box at auction. The £138,600 figure is based on 15% of the last bottle of 1926 Valerio Adami that sold (£924,000).
He continued, “I understand that the valuation of the case might raise eyebrows, and it’s important to highlight the distinct nature of rare whisky collecting. The £138,600 price tag, though an undeniably divisive price for a case, reflects the rarity and desirability of the Macallan 1926 60 year old. For the individual who possesses the corresponding Macallan bottle, missing its original case, this box is not just packaging—it’s a vital piece of the whisky’s legacy, rendering it priceless. In this unique market, such elements are key in preserving both the monetary and sentimental value of these rare treasures.”
Mark Littler Ltd, established in 2016 and incorporated in 2018, has become one of the largest independent consultants and whisky brokers in the UK. They have facilitated millions of pounds worth of sales, ranging from Rolex watches to Micromosaic art and bottles of whisky to entire casks of whisky.
Mark Littler raised an intriguing question about the missing bottle that belongs to Fraser’s case: “This is the box for the most expensive whisky in the world – it is not the type of bottle you would open and drink so where is the missing bottle that belongs to the case? The eBay seller that Fraser purchased the case from was located in the south coast of England – perhaps it is there? Maybe someone has the bottle by inheritance and is completely unaware of its value. My advice would be to check the labels on any Macallan – you could have a fortune sitting on your shelf.”
The Macallan 1926 60 Year Old Valerio Adami Display Case is now available for purchase online, offering a unique opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
