Glenfiddich breaks world record at auction

An extremely rare bottle of Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky sold at auction last week for a record-breaking £59,350, at an event celebrating the distillery’s 125th anniversary.

The 55-year-old bottle of Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve, one of only 11 in the world, smashed the record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold at auction.

Described by master blender Brian Kinsman (right) as having “a very strong pear taste,” the bottle was bought by Mahesh Patel, an Atlanta-based real estate developer.

Held on New York’s Liberty Island last Thursday, the auction was co-hosted by Kinsman and Entourage star and environmentalist Adrian Grenier (left).

Proceeds from the auction will benefit SHFT Initiatives, the charitable arm of SHFT, a website founded by Grenier and film producer Peter Glatzer to promote sustainability issues.

Grenier launched a sustainable wine, Stomping Ground, late last year, made from organic and biodynamic grapes from sustainable vineyards in Paso Robles, California.

“You don’t have to be a stick in the mud to do right by the planet,” said Grenier, who offered up a surprise auction lot on the night – a date with him. “I’ll throw in a bubble bath,” he declared after jumping on stage with the auctioneer.

The whisky was created to commemorate the 110th birthday of Janet Sheed Roberts, granddaughter of Glenfiddich founder William Grant, and the oldest living person in Scotland.

Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve has quickly established itself as the benchmark for fine and rare whiskies, with the first bottle fetching an unprecedented £46,850 at Bonhams in Edinburgh last December.

A second bottle was sold for £44,000 in February at an event hosted by Prince Harry at the Honourable Artillery Company in London in aid of Walking With The Wounded.

“We’re excited to have kicked off our 125th anniversary year in such an unprecedented and memorable way,” said Lindsay Prociw, senior brand manager for Glenfiddich.