Top 5 Unicorn Bottles With Insane Price Tags
We can all dream, right?
In the real world a unicorn is a mythical creature whose existence is unquestionably doubted outside of the realm of fantasy literature. If a person were to tell you that they owned a unicorn (or even saw one), you’d laugh in their face, and likely mark them down as a person to stay away from. Likewise, the definition of a unicorn bottle in bourbon is a bottle that is so incredibly rare that many wonder if it even exists at all. When someone you meet at a bar tells you they own any of these bottles, red flags immediately fly up, and you speculate that you are either speaking to a pathological liar or someone who has lost their grip on reality. The truth is though, these bottles do exist, however, to claim them as your own takes a unique combination of immense disposable income and sheer dumb luck.
While there are bottles that would fall into the category of Unicorn that aren’t quite as difficult to find if you are willing to pay the bloated price tag for them (the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), we won’t be including those in the list. This is strictly set aside for the bottles that you never see in real life and if you do, there’s no chance that it will be offered at retail.
5. Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition
The Baccarat Edition is the Porsche of the bourbon world. Everything about it screams luxury. From the carefully crafted bourbon recipe to the hand selected XO Cognac barrels that the product is finished in, this bourbon is one you won’t soon forget. To top it off though— and the main reason this bottle finds its place on this list— the Woodford Baccarat edition is bottled in an a bespoke Baccarat decanter, one of the most expensive of its type in the world. Coming in at an MSRP of $2,000, not only is this one priced in the stratosphere, but it is something you are not likely to see out in the wild.
Here’s what Woodford says about this special release:
History and heritage meet innovation and sophistication. Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition is crafted by uniquely finishing the most complex and balanced Kentucky Bourbon in select XO Cognac barrels. Sourced by our Master Distiller Chris Morris, each barrel has seen three seasons of cognac before being filled with Woodford Reserve.The result is the best of both spirits – a balance of crisp American and French oak notes, complex fruit character, subtle spiciness and a creamy confectionary finish. Presented in a bespoke Baccarat decanter, Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition is the ultimate expression of American Whiskey at its finest.
MSRP: $2000
Expect to pay: $2,500 to $4,000
4. EH Taylor 18 Year Marriage
If you know me, you know I love every Colonel Taylor edition there is. The 18 Year Marriage though is one that I’ve always wanted to taste, but haven’t been lucky enough to find (even just a pour). Colonel Taylor’s historical influence on the bourbon landscape alone is enough to cement this bottle’s status as one of the greatest around, but the unique combination of 18 year rye and wheat concoctions make this a real treat.
Here’s what Buffalo Trace says about it:
Known as the founding father of the modern bourbon industry, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was committed to making unparalleled bourbon through his steadfast attention to detail and passion for innovation. His constant drive for perfection revolutionized the industry, with many of his techniques still in use today. This unique bourbon combines barrels from three signature mashbills that matured for eighteen years, including two different rye bourbon mashbills and our wheated bourbon mashbill. The marriage of bourbon mashbills gives this magnificent whiskey a nose of vanilla butter cake, a rich palate of caramel and cinnamon, and long finish of toasted oak, cinnamon, and hint of spearmint. A true testament to Taylor’s pursuit of perfection and his dedication to push the boundaries of making whiskey, this bourbon would have made its namesake proud.
MSRP: $2,000
Expect to pay: $3,000 to $6,000
3. Double Eagle Very Rare
The double eagle is one of the most sought after bottles in the world— for the people in the know. It takes the fan favorite 10-year Eagle Rare release and doubles its age statement, refining the bourbon to a place of near perfection. Considering that it is 3 years older than the BTAC version of Eagle (the 17-year edition) which is priced through the roof, this bottle rightfully boasts a retail tag well above anything in the BTAC lineup. The cherry on top is the crystal decanter with an amazing eagle figurine inside of the bottle. While the MSRP is $2,000, don’t expect to see it for anywhere close to that.
Here’s what Buffalo Trace says about it:
This very limited 20-year-old bourbon whiskey lives up to its name, maturing twice as long as our standard Eagle Rare 10-year-old bourbon and featuring two beautifully-sculpted crystal glass eagles in the Double Eagle decanter.
A true collectors’ item, Double Eagle Very Rare is presented in a luxurious silver box and crystal decanter. Very few bottles were produced, with an individually-numbered letter of authenticity included with each
MSRP: $2,000
Expect to pay: $7,000 to $20,000
Note: Personally this my ultimate dream bottle.
2. OFC: Old Fashioned Copper
This is often seen as the Holy Grail of the Buffalo Trace releases. It is so hard-to-find, in fact, that many bourbon fans don’t even know that it exists. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had conversations with folks who simply had no idea why I was so infatuated with some weird bottle called OFC. But once they learn the truth, they abandon their lofty dreams of finding Pappy 23-year and start fantasizing about those mythical Old Fashioned Copper bottles.
Here’s what Buffalo Trace has to say about this special bottle:
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. christened the O.F.C. Distillery in 1870 and this legendary whiskey brand has been revered ever since. The most state-of-the-art distillery of its era featured copper fermentation vats, column stills, and a first-of-its-kind steam heating system, still used in our aging warehouses today. This very rare and collectable bourbon honors the O.F.C. Distillery, a National Historic Landmark known today as Buffalo Trace Distillery. Each hand-cut crystal bottle is vintage dated according to the specific year in which the bourbon was distilled. Enjoy this whiskey of a bygone era, sourced from barrels of yesteryear.
MSRP: $2,500
Expect to pay: $10,000 to $25,000
1. Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year Special Release
What would a list of Unicorns be without the Grand-pappy of them all, Old Rip Van Winkle. I’ll admit, until I saw my friend Jake pulled this baby out of his own private collection, I did not know that it existed. Imagine my surprise to see a Pappy aged for 25 years in front of my own eyes. When I reached out and held it in my hands, I heard a chorus of angels singing— it was a magical moment. If you’re like me and thought that Pappy 23 was the best of the best, add this to your list of dream bottles, but don’t expect to ever see one in your lifetime.
Here’s a write up about this super limited release:
This very rare, limited edition bourbon takes generations of distilling know-how to produce. Only the most careful and expensive distilling method can be used to create a whiskey as special as this one. These extra special bottles deserve an extra special vessel, so each bottle is a handmade glass decanter from Glencarin Crystal Studio. The bottle information is engraved on each decanter, individually numbered, and hand finished with a silver stopper. A glass top for the decanter is also included.
MSRP: Amazingly only $1,800 (but you WILL NOT find it for that)
Expect to pay: $20,000 to $60,000