Intoxicating investment: How some whisky lovers are now making millions

Jake Wallis Simons, for CNN
7 minute read
Updated 12:17 PM EDT, Mon June 29, 2015
Rare whisky is becoming a popular investment -- as the rise of ornate and luxurious bottle designs attests -- with limited editions selling for six-figure sums. The Highland Park 50 year old, pictured, is the oldest and rarest release to date by the brand, with only 275 bottles produced.
Investing in rare whisky —
Rare whisky is becoming a popular investment -- as the rise of ornate and luxurious bottle designs attests -- with limited editions selling for six-figure sums. The Highland Park 50 year old, pictured, is the oldest and rarest release to date by the brand, with only 275 bottles produced.
Courtesy of Highland Park
Each bottle is covered in a hand-crafted Sterling silver net cage, created by Scottish jewelry designer Maeve Gillies. This edition retails for around £10,000 ($16,000).
Ornate design —
Each bottle is covered in a hand-crafted Sterling silver net cage, created by Scottish jewelry designer Maeve Gillies. This edition retails for around £10,000 ($16,000).
Courtesy of Highland Park
Macallan is renowned for producing some of the most expensive whiskeys ever sold at auction. The Macallan 64 year old in a Lalique Cire Perdue, pictured, was a particularly successful sale.
One of a kind —
Macallan is renowned for producing some of the most expensive whiskeys ever sold at auction. The Macallan 64 year old in a Lalique Cire Perdue, pictured, was a particularly successful sale.
Courtesy of Macallan
In 2010 in New York, the stunning bottle sold for a whopping $460,000
Colossal auction price —
In 2010 in New York, the stunning bottle sold for a whopping $460,000
Courtesy of Macallan
Only one 'Cire Perdue' crystal decanter was handcrafted by Lalique. Here, a master craftsman working on the bottle's intricate design.
Handcrafted by Lalique —
Only one 'Cire Perdue' crystal decanter was handcrafted by Lalique. Here, a master craftsman working on the bottle's intricate design.
Courtesy of Macallan
The Macallan 6-liter "M" Decanter by Lalique sold for a record $631,850 earlier this year at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong, making it the most expensive bottle of single malt whisky sold at an auction.
Most expensive whisky...ever? —
The Macallan 6-liter "M" Decanter by Lalique sold for a record $631,850 earlier this year at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong, making it the most expensive bottle of single malt whisky sold at an auction.
Courtesy of Macallan
Macallan has also made a stamp in popular culture, with the 50 year-old Macallan featured in the James Bond film Skyfall. The rare edition, pictured, was signed by the 007 actor, Daniel Craig.
007 certified —
Macallan has also made a stamp in popular culture, with the 50 year-old Macallan featured in the James Bond film Skyfall. The rare edition, pictured, was signed by the 007 actor, Daniel Craig.
Courtesy of Macallan