These Bottles Of Whiskey Cost $2 Million Each. Here's Why
There's no question that alcohol can be pretty darn pricey. Truthfully, if you really feel like splurging, you could spend thousands on some bottles of liquor — but what about millions? That's how much these whiskey gift sets from Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and Fabergé cost, anyway, according to Robb Report. For $2 million dollars each, you can buy a limited-edition gift set with two bottles of what Craft Irish Whiskey Co. claims to be "the oldest and rarest triple distilled Irish single malt in existence," along with two exclusive pieces of luxury jewelry, courtesy of Fabergé.
In total, there are seven whiskey gift sets being auctioned off (and by the way, $2 million dollars is just the starting price). Together, the seven sets make up The Emerald Isle Collection, which was created to celebrate the "Seven Wonders of Ireland." Auctioning began on Feb. 2, 2021, at a private auction in Houston, Texas. The other sets will be sold off at private events and the $12 million plus in proceeds will go to the Correa Family Foundation and another charity of the collector's choice.
So, what makes each set worth that much money, exactly?
There would have to be some pretty incredible stuff in each of those boxes to make them worth spending millions on, right? That's why every component is meticulously designed and crafted entirely by hand, from the boxes that the goods are in to every piece of gold and diamond waiting inside them (yes, actual gold and diamond, and a lot of it).
On the outside of each dark walnut box is a uniquely-designed, gold-etched geometric illustration honoring the seven mythical Irish sites. In classic Fabergé style, the box's opening is egg-shaped and decorated with cabochon emeralds. After opening the box, you'll find two bottles of the distillery's 30-year-old single malt Irish whiskey. In case the age of the alcohol isn't impressive enough, it "was matured in first-fill American casks, then finished in a rare Pedro Ximenez sherry barrel," (via Robb Report).
In addition to the ultra-rare whiskey, you'll be getting a first-of-its-kind glass Celtic Egg from Fabergé, which is "adorned with gold tessellations and emerald cabochon." (Depending on which box you get, you could receive one of several different precious gemstones.) Each egg is handcrafted from 18-karat yellow gold and set with 104 brilliant-cut diamonds.
But wait, there's more to these gift sets
Next, you'll receive a carafe of spring water to "apply with precision using a [24-karat] gold-plated pipette to expose the devil's keep flavours without dilution." And what pairs well with whiskey? For some, it's a cigar. In this case, you'll be getting "the holy grail of collectible cigars" from the Cohiba Gran Reserva and made with the "best Cuban tobacco leaves," according to Craft Irish Whiskey Co.'s website.
Just when you think that's all, there's more. In addition to the rest of the luxury items involved in this set, you can also expect a handcrafted glass flask with an obsidian stopper to carry around some of your million-dollar whiskey in. It's even designed with a curve to match the wearer's hip. And you didn't think those whiskey stones were just regular whiskey stones, did you? They're made of obsidian — so you can keep that in mind as you sip your 30-year-old whiskey and admire your new 22-karat gold altruist timepiece.
Yep, each gift set comes with a unique, handcrafted watch "encased in rose gold with rose gold crowns, with upper and lower sapphire crystals," accompanied by a brown alligator strap and rose gold buckle. So, uh, does anyone have $2 million dollars to spare?