Glenfiddich 1974 31 Year Old Pure Single Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled in 2005, Playboy Selection cask 10245, 48.1% alc. by vol, bottle No. 246 in OWC
€4,750.00*
1 Available immediately
Filling level into neck, label and capsule very good.
Product information
Glenfiddich 1974 31 Year Old – Playboy Selection
Introduction: An unusual collaboration between Speyside and Playboy
In 2005, the long-established Speyside distillery Glenfiddich ventured into unfamiliar territory: in collaboration with the German edition of Playboy magazine, it created an exclusive Private Vintage bottling which remains to this day one of the most curious and sought-after collector’s items in the history of Scottish whisky. The bottle described here bears the number 246, was bottled in 2005 from a single cask and is presented in its original wooden case (OWC).
The origins: A cuvée for connoisseurs
The whisky was selected in close collaboration between Rudi Raschke, then editor-in-chief of the German edition of Playboy, and David Stewart, Glenfiddich’s legendary Malt Master. Together, they chose a cask from 1974 that had reached its peak after 31 years of maturation. The bottling was produced exclusively for the German market and offered only to readers of the magazine – an unusual marketing collaboration for its time.
The limited edition of 248 numbered bottles was featured in Playboy magazine in May 2005 as part of a special whisky feature. Glenfiddich’s Rare Whisky Manager at the time, Jens Tholstrup, explained the choice of the German market by citing its significance for single malts: “Germany is a really big market for single malt (among the top 5 worldwide) and Glenfiddich is the best-seller.”
Technical details
Sensory profile
Glenfiddich’s official tasting notes describe the whisky as follows:
Nose: Rich and complex with notes of ripe pears, vanilla and a hint of oak.
Palate: Smooth and full-bodied with flavours of creamy caramel, dried fruit and a subtle spiciness.
Finish: Long-lasting, warm and with a subtle hint of oak.
As a 31-year-old single malt from a single sherry or bourbon cask (the exact type of cask is not specified in the sources), it offers the balance between fruitiness and oaky spice typical of Glenfiddich, refined by decades of maturation.
Rarity & Market Trends
The Playboy Selection is an absolute rarity. With only 248 bottles worldwide and restricted to the German market, it is now extremely difficult to find. The original retail price of €358 (or €350) has multiplied over the years:
Bonhams (April 2022): £2,684 including buyer’s premium (approx. €3,100) for bottle no. 122
Whisky Hammer (August 2022): £3,350 (approx. €3,840) for bottle no. 164
Whisky Auctioneer (January 2023): £1,950 (reserve not met) for one bottle
Bonhams Hong Kong (2011): HK$15,470 (approx. €1,800) for bottle no. 227
Jahrhundertweine.de (current): €4,750 for bottle no. 284, fill level ‘into neck’
Bottle No. 246 with OWC described here is likely to fall within the upper price range of this bracket.
Conclusion: A collector’s item with a history
The Glenfiddich 1974 Playboy Selection is far more than just a whisky – it is a collector’s item with a curious history and great value. The unusual collaboration between one of Scotland’s most traditional distilleries and the lifestyle magazine made it a talking point in the whisky world. With just 248 bottles, a 31-year maturation and careful selection by two whisky experts, it combines artisanal excellence with exclusive rarity.
Owning such a bottle means not only possessing an outstanding single malt, but also a piece of whisky history – a time capsule from 2005, when Glenfiddich first ventured into the world of men’s magazines. For the serious collector, it is an absolute gem; for those who open it, an unforgettable tasting experience.
|
Alcohol: | 48,1 |
|---|---|---|
|
Colour: | golden |
|
Country: | Scotland |
|
Filling quantity: | 750 ml |
|
Flavour: | Whisky |
|
Grape variety: | Grain, water, yeast, wood |
|
Product type: | Spirits |
|
Region: | Speyside |
|
Type of wine: | Whisky |
|
Vintage: | 1974 |
|
Producer: | Glenfiddich |
Log in
Allergens: Sulphites
Bottler: Producer