The anonymous buyer of the world’s largest bottle of whisky has been revealed as a world-record breaking spirits aficionado in Vietnam.
Viet Nguyen Dinh Tuan added the 5ft 11in tall bottle, known as The Intrepid, to his collection in Ho Chi Minh City this week.
The businessman, who owns a whisky and cognac collection worth an estimated £158.3m, also received the official Guinness World Records certificate commemorating the vessel as the world’s largest.
The 311-litre bottle was conceived by Daniel Monk of Cask World and Rosewin Holdings and filled with 32-year-old Macallan single malt Scotch.
It was then bottled on behalf of Mr Monk at Duncan Taylor’s in Huntly before being auctioned at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh for more than £1m last year.
It was named The Intrepid in honour of the drive and achievements of 11 of the world’s most pioneering explorers who are featured on the bottle, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Dr Geoff Wilson, Karen Darke, Olly Hicks and Jamie Ramsay.
As a seasoned investor in rare spirits, Mr Viet is celebrated for his three decades-long passion for seeking out the world’s rarest, oldest and most exquisite cognac and whisky bottles.
The Intrepid has joined treasures including the world’s only complete Macallan Fine & Rare series, the world’s largest bottle of cognac, the world’s oldest bottle of whisky – believed to be almost 150 years old – and many other rare and highly valuable whisky bottles and cognacs.
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Collector sees value in every bottle
Mr Viet said: “I’ve been spending my spare time collecting these bottles for decades. The history and traditions of whisky-making give each one its rarity, and that’s the value I see in each bottle.
“I was enticed to acquire The Intrepid for three main reasons: the fact it’s the World’s Biggest Bottle, it contains Macallan and because I was inspired by the record-breaking achievements of the 11 explorers depicted on the bottle’s label.”
Mr Monk said: “Going into Mr Viet’s hallowed whisky collection was an unforgettable experience, it’s truly a whisky and cognac enthusiast’s paradise.
“It was a dream come true to see The Intrepid proudly displayed and added to the whisky war chest of such a knowledgeable and passionate collector.
“He is preserving whisky history. We were honoured to be Mr Viet’s guests and to see his remarkable collection at first-hand.”