At least one Chinese buyer has been able to forget about the ongoing talk of economic recession, putting down a deposit on a bottle of 62-year-old Dalmore single malt whisky worth $200,000 ($250,000 Singapore).
Or maybe it was jetlag, as the bottle in question had actually been on display in a duty-free shop in Singapore's Changi Airport for the past six months. It remains there at the time of writing.
After taking a shine to the rare dram, the anonymous Chinese whisky enthusiast put down a deposit of $79,400 ($100,000 Singapore).
When the deal is finalised, the businessman will have broken the World Record price set by another bottle of Dalmore three months ago, when a bottle of Dalmore 64 brought $188,000 in London.
Should he choose to sample the whisky, he can be expected to enjoy a "cornucopia of flavours and aromas" in the words of Dalmore's director of rare whisky, David Robertson.
 The 62-year-old Dalmore single malt whisky (alongside its $250,000 Singapore) price tag is still displayed at Changi airport |
And if you think that the notion of spending $200,000 on a single bottle of whisky is mad, then think again.
The bottle is sure to work out as a good investment, says Vijay Mallya, chairman of Whyte & Mackay and United Spirits which owns the Dalmore brand, as quoted by CNN.
"The record-breaking Dalmore 62 is an absolute bargain in my mind. The owner of this fabulous bottle now owns one of the rarest and most exclusive whiskies in the world.
"It's a fantastic investment, rising in value by £100,000 ($157,000) in 10 years. How much will it be worth in another 10 years?" said Mallya.
Bearing in mind that the 62-year-old bottle of Dalmore single malt is one of only 12 produced, the answer to that question is 'probably significantly more than $200,000.'
As well as offering testament to the profit opportunities in rare bottles of whisky, the Dalmore sale also demonstrates the continuing growth in popularity of luxury whiskies and fine wines among Asia's wealthy.
Watch this space for more news for the collectible fine wine and whisky markets.
