Macallan M: $4,500 Bottle of Whisky Launches in the U.S.

If you're looking to do a little early holiday shopping for the person who has everything (and money is no object), why not buy him or her a bottle of Scotch?

Well, actually, not just any bottle of Scotch whisky. The Macallan M, a rare, limited-edition bottle of single malt that was recently launched in the United States.

The bottle is a collaboration of designer Fabien Baron, Lalique crystal, and Macallan, with Baron designing the crystal decanter the rare whisky rests in.

At the U.S. launch, held at Soho Beach House in Miami Beach, guests were invited to sample various versions of the distillery's famous whiskies, including the 10-year, 12-year, 15-year, and 18-year before moving on to the finale.

It was then that each guest was presented with a stemmed glass with a curious lid on it and the instructions to not open until the right time. We were then invited to examine the color and legs of the whisky inside that enticed us. Then we were asked to finally take the lid off the glass and inhale three times.

Macallan's director of malts, Ken Grier, talked us through the spirit, which is made from some of the oldest and rarest casks in the Macallan collection. "Swish it around your mouth," he instructed. "Don't guzzle it." With a two-ounce pour of the amber liquid retailing for more than $300, this is not the whisky you throw back with a beer chaser.

"You should get dried fruit, vanilla, apple, and ginger notes," Grier said, as he clearly relished the moment.

We absolutely got dried apricot, vanilla, and nutmeg in this full-bodied and rich Scotch and would buy a bottle -- if we sold our car.

Each bottle of Macallan M is numbered and presented in a specially designed case. Only 1,750 decanters are to be released this year, with a suggested retail price of $4,500. If you've got the money, it's a gorgeous (and delicious) showpiece for your rare spirits collection.

If you're on a budget, a perfectly drinkable 12 year-old Macallan Sherry Oak sells for a more modest $63.99 at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

Here's a video of the Macallan M for you to drool over:

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