World's Most Expensive Whiskies

 

CRYSTAL DREAMS
The Macallan 50 Years Old
In February of 2006, Macallan released its limited edition 50 Years Old whisky in a sleek, specially designed Lalique crystal decanter. Made with Golden Promise barley, this single malt whisky has a deep amber color with notes of cumin and cardamom and dark prunes and chocolate on the palate. A long finish of sherry oak and peat smoke round out the intense and bold offering. The Macallan 50 Years Old, retailing at $5,995, is packaged in a leather-bound box with a booklet commemorating the partnership between Macallan and Lalique

 

 

 

The John Walker

$20,000, according to manufacturer

This cask-strength blend was specially created as an homage to John Walker. It's a blend of extremely rare whiskies, many from now-defunct distilleries and all ranging in age from 45 to 70 years old. Only 200 bottles exist, and none is for sale. Rather, each bottle will be presented, privately, to a select individual "who has made a significant contribution to modern life,"

 

Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1937  $20,000

A single bottle of the Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1937, the world's oldest and most expensive bottle of Scotch Whisky on the market today, is to go under the hammer at the most exclusive whisky auction ever to take place in South Africa. Released to great fanfare after over six long decades of maturation in a single oak cask in a Glenfiddich warehouse, only 61 bottles of this legendary whisky are available throughout the world today.

 

Most Expensive Whisky Ever

The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection, 1926, 60 Years Old

Price: US$38,000

The oldest and most sought-after of Macallan’s revolutionary Fine & Rare Collection is now sold out. It is still possible to taste this totally unique Scotch whisky at the Old Homestead Steakhouse in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. However, it sells for a nosebleed-inducing US$3,300 per dram, so you had better have had a good run at the craps table

 

Chivas Regal Royal Salute, 50 Year Old

Price: $10,000
Released in 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, its lead malt is the superb Strathisla, which accounts for the exceptionally rich and creamy character. Only 255 bottles of the Scottish whisky were released worldwide, which helps account for the high price

 

Glenfiddich, 40-year-old

Price: $2,500
This Scotch whisky won the Gold Medal and was judged the world's finest single malt, at Whisky Magazine's 2003 blind tasting. It's slow to evolve in the glass, but when it does, it reveals itself as an amazingly deep and complex whisky, layered with chocolate and honey, with a long dry, smoky, peaty finish.

 

 

Most Expensive Lowland Whisky

Auchentoshan 1973 32 Year Old

Price US$700

Auchentoshan’s regular bottling does not get much respect among whisky aficionados, but this Oloroso-sherry matured version has won rave reviews for its rich complexity and, despite its age, its zesty, spicy fruitiness.

 

Glen Garioch Distillery is the most easterly distillery on Scotland. It was founded by Thomas Simpson in 1797. There are some evidence that a distillery was there already in 1785, but 1797 has been the the official starting year. Glen Garioch is located between Banff and Aberdeen in the little town of Old Meldrum. The buildings are in grey granite and looks more like and old school than a modern distillery. The name Garioch comes from the beatiful valley with the same name. They claim the the best barley in Scotland grows in thís valley.

    Price   $3,500

Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary

This cask strength Johnnie Walker Blue Label commemorates the 200th birthday of the man himself, and comes packaged in a contemporary baccarat decanter.Color: A dark full gold with dense shades of amber.No of whiskies: "In the neighborhood of 16."Nose: Harmonious and perfectly balanced: hints of smokiness and a real depth of sherry character, with hints of raisins and toasted nuts.Palate: Hugely flavorful with rich peatiness, deep smoke and traces of spice. Develops into intense flavors of oak, dark chocolate, and rich home-made Dundee Cake. Cardhu, Benrinnes, and other Speyside malts combine to provide the rich sherry and oak flavours. Royal Lochnagar from the tiny Highland distillery gives a rich sweetness with hints of freshness. Mature grains give oak and vanilla character while Caol Lla brings the deep, pungent spice and smoke.Finish: Well balanced, long and intense, with hints of oak, Islay seaweed and vintage oaks

The Greatest Temples of the World

Khajuraho Temple of Love

The name Khajuraho may be derived from khajura (date palm), which grows freely in the area and perhaps because there were two golden khajura trees on a carved gate here. The old name was Kharjuravahaka (scorpion bearer), the scorpion symbolizing poisonous lust. The temples were built under the late Chandela kings between 950 and 1050 AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity. With the fading of Chandela fortunes, the importance of Khajuraho waned but temple building continued until the 12th century at a much reduced pace. Far removed from the political centres of the kingdom, the location of Khajuraho minimized the danger of external attack and symbolized its role as a celestial refuge. Khajuraho's temples were 'lost' for centuries until they were accidentally 'discovered' by a British army engineer in 1839. Of the original 85 temples, the 20 surviving are among the finest in India

 

 

Golden Temple

Amritsar is the holy city of the Sikh religion, because it is home to the Golden Temple. That's real gold on the outside of the temple; when wealthy Sikhs die, they often leave their money to the church to buy a little more gold for the temple. We happened to arrive just after a months-long project in late 1998 and early 1999 to polish all the gold plating on the temple.

Very few tourists go to the Golden Temple, and on the days we went there people would stop and stare at us openly. You have to remove your shoes and walk through a little water trough to clean your feet, and you have to cover your head before entering the temple grounds. They have loaner scarves to put over your head if you don't have a hat or a turban.

 

 

 

Tiger’s nest monastery

 

The Taktshang (the name means “Tiger’s nest”) is the most famous of monasteries in Bhutan, built on a cliff at 3,120 metres above the bottom. It comprises seven temples, that can be reached on foot. It is interesting that a special permission is required for non-Bhutanese to visit the monastery. Enjoy these images.

Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun is very different to any of temple you are likely to see in Thailand. A lifetime project of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes. The temple is almost entirely white – no other colours are used at all. It is though decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass which add substantially to the temple’s spacious and airy feel. Designed to be viewed in moonlight, if you can manage to get there when the moon is out it’s worth the effort – very nice indeed. This temple is certainly worth a visit unless you have limited time.