John Walker began selling whiskey in a grocery store in Kilmarnock, Scotland, while he was still a teenager. Between 1820 and his death in 1857, Walker became known for his home-brewed whiskeys, a legacy that his son and grandson would continue to uphold throughout the following decades. This brand is still a popular choice among whiskey lovers worldwide, but some bottles are far pricier than others.
The most expensive Johnnie Walker whiskey is John Walker & Sons Diamond Jubilee. The brand only released 60 bottles of this luxury-quality 60-year-old whiskey in 2012 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. A single bottle costs about $164,000.
If you’re interested in enjoying a rare, decadent, and smooth bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey, you’ll want to explore this ranking of the costliest Johnnie Walker whiskeys in the world.
Here are the top 10 most expensive Johnnie Walker whiskey drinks in the world:
10. Johnnie Walker Oldest – $1,569
Price Per Bottle: $1,569
Price Per Liter: $2,092
Age: 15 to 60 years old
Number of Bottles: N/A
ABV: 43%
Before Johnnie Walker Blue, there was Johnnie Walker Oldest. This whiskey was initially released in 1987 and was produced until 1992. After that, it was replaced by the Blue Label. As such, unopened bottles are a rarity nowadays.
Johnnie Walker Oldest is an exquisite blend containing whiskey aged between 15 and 60 years, ensuring that each sip is rich and flavorful. But at $1,569 per bottle, this whiskey costs more than the world’s most expensive beers!
Why It’s Expensive
Once a brand stops producing a specific product, that item immediately becomes more valuable.
This type of Johnnie Walker whiskey wasn’t cheap when readily available (1987 to 1992). in no small part due to the fact that it contains high-quality aged whiskey. Now that it’s exceedingly becoming rarer, it’s even pricier.
In short, low supply (but moderate demand) is the primary reason this whiskey earns a spot on our ranking.
9. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen – $3,650
Price Per Bottle: $3,650
Price Per Liter: $4,866
Age: N/A
Number of Bottles: N/A
ABV: 43.8%
The aforementioned Blue Label has seen several offshoots, including the exceptional 2018 Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen. Crafted from seven rare whiskeys, including Port Ellen (which has distinctive notes of sea salt and peat), this limited run is rare and decadent.
Though it’s not the oldest bottle included in this ranking, this iteration of Johnnie Walker Blue Label becomes increasingly rare with every passing year. It also grows more expensive with time, so its current price of $3,650 is a genuine bargain.
If you’d like to experience the fruity, citrusy, and earthy blend for yourself, it might be wise to act fast!
Why It’s Expensive
This type of whiskey gets its spectral name from its rare (almost ghost-like) blend of whiskeys. This feature alone makes it a high-priced adult beverage.
However, the Johnnie Walker brand only produced a limited number of bottles. As such, higher-than-average quality and increasing scarcity contribute to its incredible per-bottle price.
8. Johnnie Walker ‘The Director’s Blend’ 2011 – $4,370
Price Per Bottle: $4,370
Price Per Liter: $6,757
Age: N/A
Number of Bottles: 504
ABV: 46%
Very few liquor retailers have this particular type of whiskey in stock. That’s because only 504 bottles of Johnnie Walker ‘The Director’s Blend’ 2011 were released, putting supply well below the average for store-bought Johnnie Walker whiskeys.
Made using grain and malt whiskeys, this bright gold beverage was briefly aged in virgin oak casks. However, it’s aged finely since its bottling, resulting in a drink that’s intense, smooth, and everything a whiskey connoisseur could desire.
Still, you’ll need to be willing to spend at least $4,370 to make a bottle of this 2011 vintage whiskey yours.
Why It’s Expensive
This distinct blend of malt and grain whiskeys was bottled in 2011, putting the age of unopened bottles at more than ten years. So, this is a comparatively newer vintage that still boasts a decent amount of aging.
Still, you’ll find that this bottle of Johnnie Walker is pricier than many others due to its limited release. After all, only 504 bottles were produced, making the supply of ‘The Director’s Blend’ quite finite.
7. Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary Limited Edition – $4,870
Price Per Bottle: $4,870
Price Per Liter: $6,957
Age: N/A
Number of Bottles: 6,000
ABV: 60.5%
There are several types of Johnnie Walker Blue Label whiskeys, but none quite like this one. Though this limited-edition bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey features one of the highest alcohol-by-volume percentages of any Johnnie Walker beverage (an astounding 60.5%), its flavor is remarkably smooth and sweet.
Produced to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Johnnie Walker brand, this distinctly square decanter of golden brown whiskey comes in a commemorative leather case that protects the liquid inside from light. Still, after spending $4,870 on a bottle of this one-of-a-kind whiskey, you might feel like showcasing it in your home bar.
Each sip is imbued with a mix of floral, vanilla, and spicy notes, making this drink an unforgettable experience that any whiskey drinker will surely savor.
Why It’s Expensive
While it’s uncertain how long this whiskey was aged before bottling, it was released in 2007, putting its current in-bottle age at more than ten years. Still, its limited-edition status, exceptional quality, and relative rarity are the primary reasons it costs almost $7,000 per liter.
6. Johnnie Walker The Commemorative 1920 Edition – $4,930
Price Per Bottle: $4,930
Price Per Liter: $7,043
Age: 6 years old
Number of Bottles: 540
ABV: 48%
Prohibition in the United States began in 1920 and lasted more than a decade, finally ending in 1933. But though alcohol consumption was illegal during this time, those with the funds to have it imported risked their freedom to imbibe.
The most fortunate of those individuals likely enjoyed whiskeys similar to Johnnie Walker The Commemorative 1920 Edition, a 48% ABV drink featuring a blend of incredibly rare aged whiskies.
But while $7,043 per liter is a steep price for an adult beverage, it’s comparatively affordable, especially when compared to the most expensive liquids in the world.
Why It’s Expensive
Not only is this a limited-run whiskey produced using similar techniques as those used to create Johnnie Walker whiskey during the 1920s, but it’s also a rare beverage.
Only 540 bottles of this whiskey were produced and sold worldwide to a myriad of affluent buyers. Though a handful of retailers have a bottle or two stored away, only the most dedicated whiskey enthusiasts will truly appreciate the hard work and delicate craftsmanship needed to create this drink.
Therefore, the remaining handful of unopened bottles of this commemorative blend are priced competitively.
5. Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve – $18,100
Price Per Bottle: $18,100
Price Per Liter: $25,868
Age: 40 years old
Number of Bottles: 398
ABV: 43%
Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve was made to celebrate Master Blender Jim Beveridge’s ruby anniversary at Johnnie Walker. This dark crimson whiskey is delightful creation with 40 years of aging under its belt. It’s also fantastically pricey, costing $18,100 per decanter. Still, that price may be well worth it, especially considering the delicate harmony of notes in each sip.
When you pour yourself a glass of Master’s Ruby Reserve, you can look forward to a smooth sip of chocolatey, woody, and fruity detectability. However, finding an unopened bottle available for sale can be challenging, as less than 400 bottles were released.
Why It’s Expensive
There are two reasons behind this whiskey’s incredible per-bottle price. Firstly, this is a 40-year-old whiskey that’s been given plenty of time to develop a complex range of desirable flavors.
But secondly, supply is limited. As a result, only the most fortunate (and wealthy) buyers can afford to make this ruby-colored decanter a part of their whiskey collection.
4. John Walker Master’s Edition – $25,000
Price Per Bottle: $25,000
Price Per Liter: $33,333
Age: 50 years old
Number of Bottles: 100
ABV: 43.2%
The John Walker brand is the premium version of Johnnie Walker, so those eager to experience the most luxurious whiskeys will naturally gravitate toward whiskeys with the John Walker label. This includes the extremely limited John Walker Master’s Edition.
Aged over half a century, the jet-black decanter conceals and protects a blend of whiskeys that were still available while brand founder John Walker was still alive. As such, this drink is almost as valuable as a piece of history as it is a source of a stiff drink.
Of course, anything with this much intrinsic value will cost a pretty penny. To make this whiskey yours, you’ll need to spend quite a few pennies, as a single bottle costs $25,000.
Why It’s Expensive
Several of the whiskeys presented in this ranking were released in limited supply. But few enjoy a supply as limited as this one, as only 100 bottles were produced.
When you add the exceptional aging process required to make this whiskey (half a century), you end up with a beverage that readily retails for thousands of dollars.
3. Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour 48 – $25,000
Price Per Bottle: $25,000
Price Per Liter: $33,333
Age: 48 years old
Number of Bottles: 288
ABV: 41.8%
Though this whiskey features one of the lowest ABV percentages of any Johnnie Walker whiskey, its price tag is one of the highest. If you can find one of these emerald-green crystal decanters for sale, you can expect to spend at least $25,000 to make it yours.
Your investment will get you a scotch whiskey almost half a century old and brimming with flavor. There are notes of sea salt, leather, and fruit in this sumptuous drink, so don’t be surprised to find yourself transported to a classic study by the seashore with every sip.
Why It’s Expensive
The Master of Flavour 48 has several things going for it, making it a pricey choice of whiskey. Firstly, there’s the incredible 48-year aging process used to produce this whiskey. The average whiskey is only aged between five and twelve years.
Secondly, fewer than 300 bottles of this beverage were produced, so it’s a rare find. Still, this whiskey was released comparatively recently (bottled in late 2021).
So if you’d like to try a sip for yourself, you might be able to find a for-sale bottle by acting quickly and investing today.
2. Johnnie Walker 1805 The Celebration Blue Label – $36,500
Price Per Bottle: $36,500
Price Per Liter: $48,666
Age: 45 to 70 years old
Number of Bottles: 200
ABV: 46.3%
The Johnnie Walker 1805 The Celebration Blue Label was created to commemorate the birth of the brand’s founder, famed Scotsman John Walker. It’s a blend of nine fine whiskeys, presented in an elegant glass bottle featuring delicately carved writing denoting the bottle’s celebratory status.
It’s presented in a lacquered wooden case with a tiny key, but there’s nothing about this whiskey that’s diminutive. On the contrary, every drop of this whiskey is rich and sumptuous, making it an ideal choice for special occasions.
If you’re fortunate to find a bottle for sale, you may find that it’s worth every cent of its $36,500 per-bottle price.
Why It’s Expensive
This whiskey is a truly rare acquisition, as it’s typically only presented to individuals who’ve made significant contributions to modern life. Those fortunate enough to receive a bottle don’t often want to sell it!
Johnnie Walker 1805 is also an aged whiskey, with an aging duration varying between 45 and 70 years. This aging process allows the whiskey to develop a smooth flavor that’s highly desirable and rarely found.
Overall, this whiskey’s high price tag stems from its rarity and age, much like the final beverage on our list.
1. John Walker & Sons Diamond Jubilee – $164,000
Price Per Bottle: $164,000 (£100,000)
Price Per Liter: $234,285
Age: 60 years old
Number of Bottles: 60
ABV: 42.5%
The most expensive Johnnie Walker whiskey in the world is John Walker & Sons Diamond Jubilee. Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 60th year as the Queen of England in 2012. This celebration was called the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and the Johnnie Walker brand commemorated it by releasing 60 limited-edition bottles of whiskey. This whiskey is far pricier than most at about $164,000 per bottle (or $234,285 per liter).
In addition to releasing an exceptionally limited number of bottles, the brand piqued consumer interest by bottling a rare, aged whiskey (distilled the year before Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation) poured from handmade oak casks.
Why It’s Expensive
This limited-run whiskey was designed to be expensive. Firstly, it was distilled in 1952, the same year King George VI died. About a year later, his daughter would claim the throne as Queen Elizabeth II.
This whiskey was 60 years old at its release in 2012. Finding high-quality whiskeys that fall within this age range is challenging, naturally making the John Walker & Sons Diamond Jubilee whiskey a precious commodity.
Besides, John Walker & Sons Exclusive Blends is the prestige range of liquor from the Johnnie Walker brand. This particular release was housed in casks made from oak harvested from the trees surrounding the Sandringham House, one of Queen Elizabeth II’s many estates.
As you might imagine, the British royal family does not often grant approval for such enterprises.
Limited supply is yet another reason behind this bottle’s incredible price. Johnnie Walker only released 60 bottles of this commemorative whiskey, and each decanter was made of a diamond-shaped crystal surrounded by crystal supports.
From top to bottom, there’s nothing about this whiskey that doesn’t exude royal-quality luxury, making it an expensive (but alluring) choice for any whiskey drinker.
What Is the Most Expensive Bottle of Johnnie Walker Whiskey?
The most expensive Johnnie Walker whiskey in the world is John Walker & Sons Diamond Jubilee, priced at $164,000 per bottle (or $234,385 per liter!). This limited-edition whiskey was released in 2012 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Because it was released during the Queen of England’s 60th year in power, Johnnie Walker only released 60 bottles of this whiskey. Supply is extremely limited, but you might be able to find an unopened bottle for sale online.
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