Gher Spirits
From some vintage champagne to the most expensive Scotch ever auctioned—RUCHIKA VYAS raises a toast to the crème de la crème of liquor

This isn’t about alcohol. Well, this isn’t about just any alcohol. This is about the kind of alcohol that you hope to be seen drinking, than to actually drink. You walk around in your designer clothes, with your designer shoes and your diamond-studded accessories. Why then would you be caught holding a glass containing anything but the most luxurious of liquors?

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old
When you consider the words, “Every drop is precious,” it’s hard to look beyond Glenfiddich 50 Year Old. With the contents of just a single bottle up for sale in the country, this is perhaps one of the rarest bottles of fine Scotch whisky available here. Laid in casks in 1930, this whisky was set in bottles in 1991 and holds the prestigious position of being the most expensive Scotch ever auctioned. The record bid? An Italian offer of 9,99,99,999 lira, which translates to approximately 35,000 pounds. In India, you can make your way to The Bar at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, and order yourself a single peg of 30 ml at the precious price of Rs. 75,000.

Richard Hennessy
First launched by Jas Hennessy & Co in 1996, this fine cognac is a blend of 100 of the most exceptional eaux de vie (colourless fruit brandies blended through fermentation and double distillation), some even dating back to the early 19th century. These liquids have each lent certain characteristics to Richard Hennessy, maturing in oak barrels over years to form this fine cognac. The cognac itself is housed in a fine decanter, whose delicate detailing foretells the effort that has gone into producing such an experience. How much will the experience set you back? Not as much as the Glenfiddich 50 Year Old, but still a pretty penny. The price is available on request.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V Edition
This is the blending style that made Johnnie Walker what it is today. This is also the style that facilitated its most prestigious entry into the wine cellars of King George V, when it was awarded a royal warrant to supply whisky to the king. Forget about the price of the whisky, this is about pure indulgence at Rs. 50,000 for a single crystal decanter. From the use of the distilleries from the era of George V, to aging in oak casks dating back to over a century, all these elements have contributed to the class and elegance of an already established and elegant whisky. To add to this combination, the whisky comes with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.

Talisker 30
From the Scottish isle of Skye, Talisker 30 is a limited edition release—the eighth one, in fact—from its distillery. Just 3,000 bottles of this natural cask strength, single malt Scotch are being sold around the world, so if you get your hands on one, you know you’re in elite company. The clean, clear aroma is very pure for a Scotch this aged. Initially evocative of something akin to sea air, the whisky then resonates of Brazil nuts, Highland toffee and an elusive fruitiness. To the palate, the Talisker 30 displays its maturity with its dry and sweet interplay. With such purity at its core, at approximately Rs. 40,000, each bottle’s price seems well worth the penny.

1999 Dom Perignon
There are many wines with tradition, but few that lift the spirit of a room by the mere mention of their names. The 1999 vintage had a lot to live up to—over 70 years of history, mixed with a more than capable producer in Moët et Chandon; one of the world’s largest champagne manufacturers and holders of a Royal Warrant to supply champagne to Queen Elizabeth II! You know it’s special as soon as you order it. The Dom—it’s got a ring to it. However, that’s not all it has; the 1999 vintage offers a delicate blend of an overall dry feel to this yellow-toned-golden-hue bubbly. All this comes at a price, so get ready to shell out Rs. 10,950 for a bottle of this fine champagne.

Krug Grande Cuvée
True to its name, this cuvée is a smooth champagne from one of the most famous wine négociants—the French term for a wine seller that carries out the process of producing the wine but procures their grapes from smaller producers around the world and sells the wine under its own name—in the world. This acidic and fruity sparkling wine has a spicy aroma that is unique to it. This golden-coloured cuvée is as consistent as they come and so is its price tag. Distributed very selectively, the price of this cuvée is available on request.

Grand Marnier Cuvée du Cent Cinquantenaire
This opulent cognac comes straight from Grand Champagne, the most prestigious growing district in the Cognac region. This alliance of exotic oranges and old cognacs was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the House of Grand Marnier. Before you sample the macerated bitter orange flavour—enriched by traces of coffee, honey, bitter almonds and spices—or inhale the aged cognac, and its background notes of cocoa and cinnamon, you’ll notice the painstakingly hand finished ‘Art Nouveau’ decorations on the bottle. A collector’s edition, the price of this cognac is available on request.

Moët ET Chandon Rose Imperial
If you’re looking for pedigree, Moet et Chandon have it well established, being founded in 1743 in France—traditional wine country if there ever was one. Rose Imperial is one of their prized champagnes and is complete, generous and dynamic. The champagne is also available in a limited edition handcrafted Indulgence Coffret. The coffret is touted as an 18th century boudoir, exquisitely crafted over the span of two months. And encased within and set in the softest lambskin leather is the Rose Imperial Jeroboam. The champagne itself is an indulgence of red currants and wild strawberries. With a blend of three varieties of grape, there is an emphasis on Pinot Noir. The bottle itself is priced at Rs. 4,590, but the coffret you’ll have to ask for. It’s an indulgence you’ll enjoy sharing as much as gifting.

Veuve Clicquot Rose
Maison Veuve Clicquot was credited with innovating the first ever rosé in the history of champagne. If one were to study the structure of Veuve Clicquot Rosé, the blend of intense Pinot Noir—with Chardonnay to lend finesse and Pinot Meunier to add roundness—would stand out as a strong base. Added to this base is a blend of red wines, made from black grapes that bestow a definitive balance to it. Created with such passion, it’s no surprise that this particular rosé cuvée is bold, passionate and evocative of romance.

Belvedere Vodka
No one realistically ever expects vodka to make an appearance on this elite list. But named after the Presidential Palace in Poland, this is no ordinary vodka. It’s distilled from a single grain—Dankowskie Gold Rye—and the long distillation process makes for the smoothest experience. At around Rs. 3,000 a pop, it’s the most value-for-money drink on the list. Poland has created a new segment of vodkas since its entry into the American market in 1996. But this painstakingly distilled vodka will need a real patient and imaginative competitor to knock it off its pedestal.

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
The world’s best Highland single malt whisky, according to Whisky Magazine, looks far less extravagant than it actually is. While not aged as much as other Scotches on this list, Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or is a well-refined beast as deserving of adjectives like rich, sumptuous, heady, luscious and beguiling as any other liquor mentioned here. This delectable nectar has the smooth, melting taste of crème caramel and zesty lime, with a finish of vanilla cream and hints of ginger and nutmeg. This captivating single malt is priced at Rs. 3,630.
As the term ‘premium alcohol’ acquires new meaning, a taste of these spirits is all the reason one needs to celebrate.