World's Oldest Whisky: The Balvenie 88 Years Old by Daniel Arsham

The World's Oldest Whisky

The Balvenie has released the oldest whisky in the world. The Balvenie 88 Years Old is the centrepiece of the distillery's new 1931 Collection and moves past the previous record holder, an 85 year old single malt. Bottled at 43.2% ABV, it is limited to just 17 bottles worldwide, each presented in a sculpture created by American artist Daniel Arsham.

Distilled in 1931, Bottled 88 Years Later

The spirit was distilled on 5 March 1931, the same year The Balvenie opened its home malt floor, and made with barley malted in that new facility. It was filled into a single European oak sherry butt sourced from Jerez in Spain, where it rested in the distillery's warehouse for 88 years. Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie, who had sampled the cask every couple of years, judged it ready in 2019. The official tasting notes describe honey, subtle mint leaf, buttery fudge, floral heather and worn leather on the nose, with creamy toffee, velvety honey and warming spice on the palate and a long, drying finish.

"I'm not in the business of making trophies," McKechnie said. "Any time that we bottle a liquid, I always want to make sure that the intention is that people will open the bottle."

A Sculpture by Daniel Arsham

The 88 Years Old sits in a hand-blown crystal decanter inside a bronze sculpture designed by Daniel Arsham, an artist known for his eroded, time-worn works. The form is built from eight layers of hand-patinated bronze, one for each decade the whisky spent in cask, finished with a green patina that mirrors the natural oxidisation of copper. A piece of copper crafted from a decommissioned Balvenie still is set inside the sculpture and acts as its certificate of authenticity.

"Much of my work explores time, material transformation and the histories that objects carry," Arsham said. "I wanted to create something that feels both ancient and contemporary, to make the passage of time tangible."

The 12 and 15 Year Old Limited Editions

Two limited editions complete the collection, both with packaging designed by Arsham. The Balvenie 12 Years Old is made from 100% home-malted barley, matured in American oak and finished in ex-sherry bodega European oak butts from Jerez. It is bottled at 47.5% ABV with a recommended price of £90. The Balvenie 15 Years Old goes a step further, made from 100% home-grown and home-malted barley and following the same maturation, bottled at 47.8% ABV with a recommended price of £150.

Release and Availability

The 1931 Collection debuts at the international art fair Frieze Seoul, running from 2 to 5 September 2026, through an immersive performance directed by Arsham. The 88 Years Old is available to private clients and collectors globally, with UK enquiries handled through Harrods. All three bottles of the collection are listed on Spiritory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Balvenie 88 Years Old the oldest whisky in the world?

Yes. Distilled on 5 March 1931 and bottled in 2019 after 88 years in a single sherry butt, it is currently the oldest whisky in the world, moving past the previous record holder, an 85 year old single malt.

How many bottles of The Balvenie 88 Years Old exist?

Just 17 bottles exist. Each one is presented in a hand-blown crystal decanter set inside a bronze sculpture by artist Daniel Arsham.

What is in The Balvenie 1931 Collection?

Three whiskies: the 88 Years Old at 43.2% ABV, a 15 Years Old at 47.8% ABV made from 100% home-grown and home-malted barley, and a 12 Years Old at 47.5% ABV made from 100% home-malted barley. Daniel Arsham designed the presentation across the collection.

Where can you buy The Balvenie 1931 Collection?

The 88 Years Old is offered to private clients and collectors globally, with UK enquiries handled through Harrods. The 12 Years Old has a recommended price of £90 and the 15 Years Old £150. All three bottles are listed on Spiritory.