Dictador Generations En Lalique decanter fetches record price at Sotheby's auction

A unique decanter of Dictador rum - created in collaboration with Lalique - has become one of the most expensive bottles of rum ever sold at auction. 

Auctioned by Sotheby's online, the Dictador Generations En Lalique lot included the 'proof bottle' of the rum, handmade and engraved #0 out of 300 decanters. It fetched £30,000, the highest value ever achieved by a rum during a Sotheby's auction.

Launched on 2 March, the limited-edition decanters have been designed by Lalique's artistic and creative director Mac Larminaux - the first time the French crystal maker has produced a decanter for a premium rum brand.

They are inspired by the beauty, rhythm and landscapes of the Caribbean sea and islands. Larminaux says he captured this mood by incrporating water patterns, and used Lalique's signature clear and frosted crystal to sculpt light as it passes through the decanter. 

The Dictador rum housed within is a blend of vintage rums produced in 1976, aged in American oak and port casks. It was made by Dictador's master blender Hernan Parra and his father Dario, the first time the father and son have created an expression together, and pays tribute to the Parra family, who have been distilling rum in Cartegena, Colombia since 1913.

Dictador says the resulting rum is soft and smooth with notes of caramel, cocoa, roasted honey and coffee to taste.

The decanter comes presented in a luxury gift box, accompanied by an illuminated presentation stand, and is available from Hedonism Wines (RRP £14,000).

The Dictador Generations En Lalique auction lot also included personal letters from Hernan Parra and Marc Larminaux; a print of the bottle’s original digital rendering signed by the designer; an exclusive invitation to Dictador Art Masters in Cartagena for two; and a signed print of artist M-City, curator of Dictador Art Masters.

Proceeds from this lot will go towards Art Masters, a charity focused on conservation in the Colombian jungle and the propagation of street art culture.

10 March 2021 - Bethany Whymark