Рубрика: General

SBX Cars is offering Alex Hirschi’s personal 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Brabus 800 Widestar for six more days. SBX Cars is offering Alex Hirschi’s personal 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Brabus 800 Widestar for six more days.

The Vale gives you members’ club perks mere feet from the pit lane. The Vale gives you members’ club perks mere feet from the pit lane.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky, tells Elite Traveler why the world’s rarest bottles are ultimately meant to be enjoyed. 

As Sotheby’s global head of whisky, Jonny Fowle spends his days handling some of the most valuable spirits in the world – so I half expect him to turn up for our interview sporting a suit, tie and a pair of white gloves. But the 39-year-old arrives at Sotheby’s Mayfair HQ wearing a t-shirt, black corduroy shacket, and battered pair of Converse. He’s also notorious for accessorizing suits with his favorite Birkenstocks.

When I comment on his penchant for dressing down he laughs. “When I first joined Sotheby’s I wore a suit and tie every day but I found I was kind of overdressed most of the time. Whisky collectors and enthusiasts tend to be pretty laid back.”

Fowle joined Sotheby’s in 2019, rising to the top job in 2023 – an ascent which has mirrored, more or less, the boom in prices for collectible whisky. His appointment also says something about the increasing informality of the prestige world. The Sotheby’s Instagram is full of his hot takes on topics ranging from the best way to drink old Macallan (clue: not with Coke) to the folly of Scotch and food pairing.

“Whisky is a ‘luxury’ product now,” he says, “but really it’s just a vehicle for having a good time. I think there’s an extent to which the luxury side of things has been slightly imposed on the whisky industry.”

Fowle is being just a little disingenuous, for Sotheby’s has certainly fanned the flames. In 2025 it sold the most valuable bottle of spirits in the world (a 1965 Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old, for $864,825 in a charity sale) and seven out of the top 10 spirits globally.

Edinburgh-born Fowle originally trained as a sound designer, working on TV shows such as cult comedy Fleabag. Then, in 2017, he decided to quit the day job and pursue his growing passion for whisky full-time.

See also: Why Runners Are Falling in Love with Wine, Beer, and Whisky Regions

“I moved to Hong Kong and set up a little business trading whisky – and it was only then that I realised how vast the whisky collecting thing really was,” he says. “What I saw in Asia just eclipsed British drinking culture – it was another world.”

“In Scotland we’re very good at knowing about whisky and the brands and the production,” he says, “but less about the intricate history of legendary bottlings or characters within the industry. And you really see it and learn about it in Asian bars in a way you just don’t in the UK.” (See below for some of his favorite bars).

Sotheby’s best year to date was 2022 “when we did around $30m. Last year was $21.5m – that’s a fairly realistic representation of the market in the last few years.”

Economic factors have played a part in the downturn – but the whisky industry’s also to blame, he says: “The issue is there have been too many releases. Everyone and their mum is releasing a 50 year old on a weekly basis and all at top-of-the-market prices. The market’s just being flooded with things that nobody wants,” he says with characteristic candour.

See also: The Most Exciting Whisky Right Now Isn’t Scottish – It’s English

The perfect lot, in his book, is a whisky such as the 1964 Black Bowmore “which grew its desirability and status organically. It was released in 1993 at about £100 (approx. $133) a bottle and at the peak of the market it was worth roughly £20k (approx. $26k). It’s more glamorous than your average whisky bottle but not over-the-top. The quality of the liquid is extremely high. But it was still priced at a level that was drinkable, so people were opening and drinking them, and so you naturally got the introduction of scarcity.”

Is age overrated, I wonder? Because the fact is a lot of superannuated whiskies don’t actually taste that nice.

“No – I still think age is pretty cool,” he says. “Even if it tastes too woody and too old that’s still quite interesting because why does it taste like that? If you zoom out and think that cask has spent eight decades just sitting there — the person who made that was living in such a different world and they would’ve had no comprehension of the trajectory of that liquid.”

But Fowle also has time for younger whiskies – one of his all-time favorite malts is a 12-year-old cask strength Springbank, bottled by the Italian collector Silvano Samaroli. “Samaroli is the guy in many people’s views who really changed how whisky collecting was done; who really pioneered cask-strength bottlings and the idea that whisky ages in bottle which was not a widely adopted concept by distilleries at the time. It’s the archetype of a sherry-matured whisky – super-dark. It was released in the 1980s and would be worth maybe £12k (approx $16k) today.”

The engine room of Sotheby’s whisky sales is The Macallan. “It’s our biggest category by miles. The number one lot in any Scotch sale is generally a Macallan.” In 2023 a buyer paid $2.7m for a Macallan 1926, breaking the record for the most expensive bottle of wine or spirits ever sold.

Part of The Macallan’s appeal, says Fowle, is the fact that it has so many vintages “so you can build a vertical. And, also, people drink with their eyes: it’s sherried, it’s dark, and the quality is super-good.

The other thing that cannot be underestimated,” he says, “is Macallan is really easy to say. You can’t proliferate news of a whisky that people struggle to pronounce.”

Scotch still dominates the secondary market. But demand for American whiskey is now also on the rise. In January, Sotheby’s hosted its second dedicated American whiskey sale in New York, featuring an Old Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel ‘Sam’s’ (1982) which sold for $162,500 – setting a new record for an American whiskey at auction.

The most sought-after US whiskies are Van Winkle, Willett and Michter’s. “Van Winkle is The Macallan equivalent in terms of brand strength. Willett has released a lot of whisky that’s over 20 years which in America is pretty high. And they do a lot of cask strength and single cask bottlings with these wax tops which are quite iconic for American whiskey collectors.”

“Because of the way American whiskies are matured they’re a bit bolder and sweeter and richer than Scotch,” he adds, “so you don’t tend to get much crossover between Scotch and American whisky drinkers. We can sell Scotch whisky in any country to buyers from any country. But we sell American whisky to Americans. It’s a whole new collector community.”

Prices for Japanese whisky have lately seen a correction, he says. “Because of the exponential rise in prices from 2017-22 the fall was equally precipitous. It was an unsustainable rate of growth.” Even so, six out of the top 10 whiskies sold by Sotheby’s in 2025 were Japanese, with a Yamazaki 50 year old taking the number one spot (for non-charity auctions) at $228,541. Karuizawa also did well.

See also: The Secret to Great Finnish Whisky? It Starts in a Sauna

Fowle’s favorite whisky auction is The Distiller’s One of One, a sale of one-of-a-kind whiskies for charity, that Sotheby’s co-hosts in Edinburgh each October. “The atmosphere is unbelievable. If someone throws up a bid people lose their minds and are clapping and jumping up and down,” he says. ‘I think it’s the best auction of any kind, anywhere in the world.”

He himself has “never really bought for investment. I open every bottle I buy. I generally buy older stuff like 1960s/70s vintage Gordon & MacPhail releases. The value is so good. I also get given a lot of stuff, so my house is full of unmarked vessels full of delicious goodies.”

His other interests include skateboarding – he has a Santa Cruz 8.25 deck with Powell-Peralta Dragon wheels which he’s been known to ride to work. He’s also a self-confessed hip-hop nerd. And he likes a good coffee. “At the moment I have a bag of washed Esmerelda Geisha which is from the original farm where the geisha bean first set a crazy auction price. Geisha is very jasmine-y but it also takes processing very well so you find all these more experimental varieties.”

But his journey in whisky’s not over. “I’m one of those people who gets quite nerdy about stuff; I want to try and find out everything. It’s such a vast topic – the more you learn the more you realise you don’t know.”

Five of Jonny Fowle’s favorite whisky bars

The Auld Alliance, Singapore

“This bar has the most amazing collection of whisky (and old cognacs) that’s open anywhere in the world and they have incredible knowledge too. It’s quite old-fashioned with Chesterfields and dark-wood panelling.”

Swan Song, Singapore

“I’ve had some of the best whiskies I’ve ever drunk in my life from here. Legendary malts like 1970 Laphroaig; it’s a great place to learn about Samarolis too. Another place where the guys know loads about whisky.”

The French Laundry, San Francisco

“This place has the most incredible selection of open Macallans – Macallan Laliques, Fine & Rare, 52 Year Old Select Reserve. If you want to drink super high-end Macallan it’s got to be the best place in the world to do it.”

Bar Zeotrope, Tokyo

“They play old 16ml black-and-white movies on a projector and have an amazing selection of Japanese whisky, mostly really nerdy stuff rather than super high-end. A lot of Chicibus, Mars and old Yamazakis. Nothing is super-expensive here.”

Golden Promise, Paris

“This bar under La Maison du Whisky tends to focus on older, often Italian, import 1980s bottlings from the 50s/60s/70s. Which is something we’re not going to be able to drink for much longer.  So get it while you can.”

Upcoming Sotheby’s sales

Finest and Rarest Spirits + The Macallan Exclusive

Hong Kong, open for bidding until 18 March

Whisky & Whiskey

New York, 12-27 March

Finest & Rarest Whisky

London, 23 April – 8 May

This is an annual release is made with pot still and grain whiskeys produced at the Midleton Distillery. This is an annual release is made with pot still and grain whiskeys produced at the Midleton Distillery.

Sanlorenzo’s trailblazing “Contigo” is available for $355,000 per week. Sanlorenzo’s trailblazing “Contigo” is available for $355,000 per week.

These extraordinary courts prove that tennis is best played with a view. 

But beyond the roar of packed grandstands and televised finals lies another, more exclusive side of the sport – one where the soundtrack is crashing waves or desert winds sweeping through red rock canyons. These are courts where the views are as commanding as your forehand.

Most beautiful tennis courts in the world

Picture serving aces with turquoise water behind you or volleying beneath alpine peaks. Ahead, discover the world’s most breathtaking tennis courts.

Bawah Reserve, Elang Island, Indonesia

Hidden within Indonesia’s remote Anambas Archipelago, Bawah Reserve is the definition of barefoot luxury. Set on a private island surrounded by crystalline lagoons and coral reefs, its tennis court is perched just steps from the sea, offering uninterrupted views of turquoise waters.

Between rallies, you may spot sailboats drifting by or tropical birds soaring overhead. The court’s isolation means you’re unlikely to face much competition, unless it’s from your travel companion, making it ideal for relaxed matches at sunrise or sunset.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

Sir Richard Branson’s private Caribbean retreat is home to one of the world’s most exclusive tennis courts. Set high on a hilltop overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Necker Island’s court delivers sweeping ocean views from every angle.

Surrounded by palm trees and cooled by sea breezes, this is tennis at its most idyllic. With turquoise waters stretching to the horizon and yachts anchored below, it’s relaxed, remote, and relentlessly beautiful.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy

Few destinations embody old world glamour quite like Lake Como, and Grand Hotel Tremezzo sits at its heart. Overlooking the deep blue waters and backed by alpine peaks, the hotel’s clay tennis court is a masterpiece of scenic sport, and one that has welcomed royalty, Hollywood stars, and billionaires over the decades.

Guests play against a backdrop of Belle Époque architecture, manicured gardens, and passing Riva boats. After play, you can retreat to the floating pool or sip an espresso on the terrace – proof that here, tennis and la dolce vita go hand in hand.

See also: The Most Idyllic Hotels in Lake Como

Il San Pietro di Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Dramatically carved into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, Il San Pietro di Positano boasts one of the most spectacular tennis courts in the world. Suspended above the Mediterranean, the hotel’s clay court seems to float between sky and sea.

With pastel-colored villages dotting the coastline and yachts gliding below, every point feels elevated. The hotel has long attracted celebrities, designers, and discreet A-listers, many of whom have tested their backhands here. It’s not uncommon to pause mid-match simply to admire the view, making this one of the rare courts where distraction is part of the charm.

See also: Is This The Amalfi Coast’s Most Exclusive Hideaway?

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Perched 689-ft above the Arabian Gulf, the Burj Al Arab’s circular helipad famously transforms into a tennis court – temporarily – for headline-making exhibition matches. It’s where legends like Andre Agassi and Roger Federer once rallied in what remains one of the most surreal tennis moments in history.

While the helipad isn’t permanently configured for daily play, its conversion into a sky-high court cemented Dubai’s place in sporting folklore. With nothing but blue sky and ocean surrounding the platform, it’s arguably the closest tennis has come to being played ‘in the clouds.’

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, Venice, Italy

Located on Giudecca Island, just across from St Mark’s Square, Hotel Cipriani offers a pristine court set within lush gardens, with glimpses of Venice’s iconic skyline in the distance.

This is a favorite among high-profile guests attending the Venice Film Festival, international art fairs, and private events. In true Venetian style, gondolas drift nearby and church bells echo across the lagoon.

Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona, USA

For those who prefer red rock drama to coastal glamour, Enchantment Resort delivers a completely different kind of tennis fantasy. Nestled within Sedona’s towering sandstone formations, its courts are framed by cathedral-like cliffs that glow at sunrise and sunset.

Many guests combine matches with meditation sessions, vortex tours, or spa treatments. It’s a place where you might finish a tiebreak and head straight into a sound bath – only in Sedona.

The Brando, Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

On Marlon Brando’s former private atoll, a court is set amid lush tropical vegetation, just moments from beaches and coral lagoons.

Guests here include global leaders, Hollywood royalty, and discreet high-net-worth travelers, all drawn by the resort’s privacy and environmental ethos. A morning match can easily be followed by lagoon swimming, spa rituals, and Michelin-level dining.

Everything to know about the legendary St Barths Bucket Regatta taking place March 12 to 15. 

Each March, the tiny Caribbean island of St Barths becomes the epicenter of the superyacht sailing world as dozens of majestic sailing yachts descend on Gustavia’s harbor for the St Barths Bucket Regatta.

The invitation-only event, taking place from March 12 to 15 this year, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious gatherings on the global sailing calendar. It brings together some of the world’s largest and most beautifully designed sailing yachts for three days of racing in the turquoise waters surrounding the island. Vessels measuring more than 100ft typically make up the fleet, ranging from sleek modern performance yachts to historic schooners.

For many owners and crews, the Bucket marks the high point of the Caribbean season – a moment when St Barths’ harbor fills with towering masts and polished teak decks, echoing the broader surge in winter yachting that has cemented the island’s reputation as a superyacht capital.

The Bucket’s origins are surprisingly informal. The event began in 1986 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, when a group of sailing yacht owners gathered for an impromptu race organized during a birthday celebration hosted by publishing heir and sailor Nelson Doubleday. The following day, several superyachts sailed a spontaneous course around Nantucket Sound – competing not for prize money, but for bragging rights.

A nearby bucket was jokingly adopted as the trophy, giving the event its name. Since then, the event has grown into one of the most celebrated gatherings in international sailing, regularly attracting fleets of 30 or more superyachts while maintaining the same spirit of friendly competition that defined the original race.

See also: A Luxury Guide to St Barths

When does the St Barths Bucket Regatta take place?

The regatta is held annually in March, when steady trade winds and warm Caribbean waters provide ideal sailing conditions. The event typically unfolds over four days, with an opening race on Thursday followed by three official race days from Friday through Sunday. Each day concludes with awards ceremonies and social gatherings in Gustavia, where crews and guests gather dockside after racing.

For 2026, the St Barths Bucket Regatta is scheduled to take place from March 12 to 15.

See also: Top Yachts: The Most Adventurous Charters in the World

Who competes in the St Barths Bucket Regatta?

Participation in the St Barths Bucket Regatta is strictly by invitation, ensuring a fleet composed of some of the most exceptional sailing yachts in the world. Most competing vessels measure 30m (100ft) or more, and the fleet is typically divided into several racing classes based on yacht size and performance characteristics.

A total of 41 yachts have registered for the 2026 edition, with 34 set to compete – marking the largest fleet since 2015. Racing will once again follow the popular pursuit format under the ORCsy handicap rule. Among the newcomers to the St Barths Bucket this year are several debutants, including two striking designs competing in their first superyacht regatta: the 65-meter ketch Aquarius II (Dykstra/Royal Huisman) and the 39-meter sloop Be Cool (Frers/Nautor). The fleet also includes nine former Bucket class champions.

See also: Introducing the Supercars of the Sea

How to watch the St Barths Bucket Regatta

The event attracts a mix of professional sailors, experienced yacht crews, and passionate owners who participate for the joy of sailing rather than commercial competition. For spectators visiting St Barths during race week, there are several ways to experience the spectacle. The most immersive vantage point is from the water, typically aboard a charter yacht or private boat following the fleet offshore. From here, guests can watch the yachts maneuver under full sail as they race along the island’s coastline.

On land, Gustavia harbor offers one of the best viewing spots. Each morning, spectators gather along the waterfront to watch the fleet depart, before returning in the afternoon as the yachts glide back into port.

The four-bedroom home, which dates back to 1855, was used as a filming location in the 1995 movie «Something to Talk About.» The four-bedroom home, which dates back to 1855, was used as a filming location in the 1995 movie «Something to Talk About.»