In a stunning fusion of luxury and creativity, a single bottle of The Macallan 1926 60 Year Old, often called the "Holy Grail" of whisky, has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind work of art. Unveiled on September 4, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, this unique creation, dubbed "The Macallan 1926 60 Year Old Masterpiece Edition," is the vision of renowned collector Nguyễn Đình Tuấn Việt. He enlisted Italian neo-classical painter Roberto Ferri to hand-paint the bottle, turning a rare spirit into a cultural treasure that blends the worlds of fine whisky and high art.
Image credit: The Macallan/Mark Littler Ltd
The Legendary Macallan 1926
The Macallan 1926 60 Year Old is no ordinary whisky. Distilled in 1926 and aged for six decades in sherry-seasoned oak casks, only 40 bottles were produced in 1986, making it one of the rarest spirits ever created. Its scarcity and exceptional quality have cemented its status as the most sought-after whisky in the world, with bottles fetching astronomical prices at auction. In 2018, a hand-painted version by Irish artist Michael Dillon sold for over £1 million, marking the first time a whisky broke that barrier. In 2019, a Fine & Rare labeled bottle went for £1.5 million, and in 2023, a Valerio Adami-labeled edition set a world record at £2.18 million ($2.7 million) at Sotheby’s London. These sales highlight the mythical status of the Macallan 1926, a whisky that has become a symbol of rarity and prestige.
Image credit: The Macallan/Mark Littler Ltd
Originally, the 40 bottles were released in distinct batches: 12 with labels designed by pop artist Sir Peter Blake, 12 with labels by Italian painter Valerio Adami, 14 with the classic Fine & Rare label, and two left unlabelled for future artistic collaborations. One of those unlabelled bottles was painted by Michael Dillon, and the other remains unaccounted for. The bottle now known as the Masterpiece Edition began as one of the Fine & Rare bottles, valued at around £1.5 million to £3 million before its transformation.
A Visionary Collector’s Dream
Nguyễn Đình Tuấn Việt, often referred to as the "King of World Spirits," is no stranger to rare liquors. Holding 20 Guinness World Records, his collection, valued at over $150 million, includes the world’s most valuable whisky and cognac collections, as well as the oldest known bottles of whisky, cognac, and rum. Among his treasures are five of the 40 Macallan 1926 bottles, an unprecedented concentration of this iconic spirit. For Việt, collecting is not just about ownership but about preserving history. “The Macallan 1926 is already a symbol of rarity, but I wanted to give it a new chapter where art and heritage are intertwined,” he said. “I see myself not merely as an owner, but as a guardian of this piece of history. My duty is to preserve it so that future generations may experience its timeless beauty.”
Image credit: The Macallan/Mark Littler Ltd
Việt’s philosophy of “rare whisky must be owned” reflects his passion for safeguarding these liquid artifacts. Rather than leaving this particular bottle in its original state, he chose to elevate it into something more—a piece that transcends its status as a collectible and becomes a cultural object. To achieve this, he turned to one of the most celebrated artists of our time.
The Artist: Roberto Ferri’s Neo-Classical Touch
Roberto Ferri, an Italian painter known for his dramatic, Caravaggio-inspired neo-classical style, was the perfect choice for this ambitious project. His works, rich with symbolism and technical precision, have earned him international acclaim, including commissions for official portraits of Pope Francis for the Vatican. Ferri’s ability to blend classical artistry with modern sensibilities made him an ideal partner for Việt’s vision.
The artwork Ferri created is a breathtaking allegory of whisky-making. Painted directly onto the glass, it features two nymphs representing barley and oak, the core ingredients of single malt whisky. These figures are united by a flowing stream of water, symbolizing its essential role in the whisky-making process, from mashing to maturation. Their fiery red hair nods to Scotland, the birthplace of whisky, and the transformative flame of distillation. “To paint directly onto a bottle valued in the millions was an immense responsibility; there was no room for error,” Ferri said. “I chose to depict barley, oak, water, and flame as allegorical figures—the elemental forces that give birth to whisky. My aim was to elevate this bottle into a work of art in the classical tradition.”
The process was as meticulous as the concept. Việt personally delivered the bottle to Ferri’s studio in Sutri, Italy, in what the artist described as “a ceremonial act of absolute trust.” For nearly two months, Ferri prepared, testing his technique on replica bottles to ensure perfect paint adhesion and stroke precision. He used a classical oil painting method, layering transparent glazes over a base of gesso, walnut oil, and pigments to create a luminous, three-dimensional effect. The deep blue of lapis lazuli, a pigment prized since the Renaissance, adds a luxurious hue, while the bottle’s seal and wooden case are adorned with 24-karat gold leaf. A custom cradle held the bottle steady during painting, ensuring no mistakes on this irreplaceable canvas.
A Cultural Object Beyond Value
The result is a masterpiece that transcends its origins as a whisky bottle. Unlike the Peter Blake and Valerio Adami editions, which featured designed labels, Ferri’s work is painted directly onto the glass, echoing the one-of-a-kind Michael Dillon bottle from 1999. This irreversible transformation fulfills a vision Macallan had in the 1980s when they left several bottles unlabelled, intending them for unique artistic collaborations. “This commission perfectly fulfills the original vision Macallan had in the 1980s,” said rare whisky specialist Mark Littler, who advised on the project. “Nearly 40 years later, that vision has been realized in spectacular fashion.”
Image credit: The Macallan/Mark Littler Ltd
The Masterpiece Edition has already drawn significant attention, with Việt reportedly turning down a $10 million offer for the bottle. “On paper, a Macallan 1926 might guide around £2–£3 million, but this bottle has moved beyond the known market,” Littler noted. “Mr. Việt turning down a $10 million offer tells you everything. What he has created isn’t just another record-breaking whisky, it’s a cultural object.” If sold, it could become the most expensive whisky bottle ever, surpassing the current $2.7 million record.
A Legacy of Art and Whisky
The Macallan 1926 has always been more than a drink—it’s a piece of history. Its rich, dark fruit flavors, with notes of black cherry, sticky dates, and sweet antique oak, have been praised by experts like Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell. But its value lies not just in its taste but in its rarity and the stories it tells. The Masterpiece Edition adds a new chapter, blending the legacy of a legendary spirit with the timeless beauty of fine art.
For Việt, this project is about more than breaking records. It’s about creating something eternal. “The transformation was not an act of disruption, but rather of creation,” he said. “Now it exists not only as a collector’s treasure but also resonates like a symphony of art.” The bottle will likely remain in his private collection, alongside other rare spirits, including the world’s oldest whisky, cognac, and rum. His commitment to preservation ensures that this piece of history will endure for future generations.
Why It Matters
The Macallan 1926 Masterpiece Edition is a testament to the power of vision and craftsmanship. It bridges the worlds of whisky and art, turning a bottle into a canvas and a collector into a patron. For those who appreciate the finer things—whether it’s a dram of rare whisky or a painting that captures the imagination—this creation is a reminder that true value lies in legacy. As the whisky world continues to evolve, with growing interest in investment and alternative luxury assets, this bottle stands as a beacon of what’s possible when passion meets artistry.
