A forgotten cask of rare whisky has sold for over £1m at an online auction, the BBC reports. The cask was bought by an investor in 1988 for £5,000, and then was kept at the Macallan distillery warehouse for the next 34 years. The globetrotting expat owner appeared to have forgotten about the purchase until they were reminded by the distillery.

The 374-litre cask of rare mature single malt whisky was recently listed for auction on the online Whiskey Hammer website. It attracted bids from all over the world, and was sold to a US bidder for a record breaking £1,007,050, which was inclusive of the buyers premium.

Daniel Milne, co-founder of the Whiskey Hammer site, told Sky News: “When this cask was listed in our auction, we knew it had the potential to make history. To come across a cask of this age, quality and size is extraordinary in itself, enhanced by the fact the liquid was distilled at The Macallan which is reflected in the global attention the cask has attracted.”

He added: “It’s been incredibly exciting for everyone at Whisky Hammer to have represented what has become the most expensive cask ever to be sold at auction.”

According to The Scotsman, the previous existing auction record for a cask was set in 2021 by Bonham’s. This also involved a mature Macallan cask, which fetched £450,158. The worth of a whisky cask is judged on its rarity value, quality and volume.

The Macallan Estate in Speyside, North East Scotland, has been producing spirits since 1824. It is renowned for the rich and complex flavours of its single malts, which are sought after throughout the world.

The record-breaking prices commanded by two of its vintage casks demonstrate just how important it is to choose a respected and prestigious distillery if you are interested in whisky investment in the UK.