Meet The Collector Who Owns The Oldest Whisky, Rum, Cognac And Armagnac In The World

Forbes

a day ago

Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet, known as the 'King of World Spirits,' holds over 20 Guinness World Records for his collection of historic bottles, including the world's oldest whisky, rum, cognac, and armagnac.
Mark Littler LTD
A collector known as 'The King Of World Spirits' has just added another world record to his name. Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet of Vietnam has just added the oldest complete bottle of scotch whisky to his collection, and with it he has achieved what no one else ever has: ownership of the world's oldest examples of all four major aged spirits.
With over twenty Guinness records to his name, Mr Viet has quietly built one of the most extraordinary vintage spirits collections on Earth. Following his recent acquisition of an 1843 bottle of Glenlivet, which has been acknowledged as the oldest known whisky in existence, I reached out to him to find out more about his incredible passion.
For Mr Viet collecting whisky and spirits may have started out as a casual hobby, but it is clear from the incredible selection of spirits he has amassed that it evolved into something more. 'I realized that vintage whisky isn't just a spirit; it's a slice of history bottled, where history, craftsmanship, and emotion converge,' he explained to me over an email to discuss his recent acquisition of The Old Glenlivet 1843.
For me, collecting isn't about ostentation; it's my way of honoring the past, preserving the essence, and spreading the value, persistently seeking out the oldest and rarest editions from around the globe.
'For me, collecting isn't about ostentation; it's my way of honoring the past, preserving the essence, and spreading the value, persistently seeking out the oldest and rarest editions from around the globe.'
He has certainly kept true to himself and sought out some of the rarest bottles in existence. From a 1772 rum to a 1696 cognac, Mr Viet's collection includes the world's oldest examples of Cognac, Armagnac, Rum and Whisky. He treats each bottle as a time capsule—a preserved moment from a distant century—and with this latest addition, his collection has arguably become something more: a curated archive of distillation history.
The Old Glenlivet 1843, the oldest known bottle of whisky in existence, now part of Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet's record-breaking spirits collection.
Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet
The Old Glenlivet 1843 first appeared on the auction market back in 1970 at a renowned Wine and Spirits auction in Scotland. This was long before any kind of online record began.
'After that, it completely vanished from the market and passed through the hands of several esteemed international collectors before it came into the possession of Mr. Lars Janssen, a highly respected vintage spirits collector from the Netherlands,' Mr Viet explained. 'This wasn't merely a transaction; it was a symbolic handover, as the previous owner wished to find someone who would truly appreciate and continue to preserve the historical value of this extraordinary bottle.'
This whisky was distilled and bottled when The Glenlivet distillery was still relatively new. Today Glenlivet is the joint largest distillery in Speyside, but back then distilling in Scotland was still newly legal and small scale. In 1824 The Glenlivet became the first distillery in the Speyside region to be granted an official license—although at the time the Speyside region wasn't its own distinct region but was still part of the larger highlands region.
As I'm sure is evident from the lack of global headlines, the sale of this historic whisky was done privately rather than through auction.
'I came across the Old Glenlivet 1843 quite by chance. I was truly astonished when I heard Mr. Lars Janssen—a seasoned spirits collector—mention the existence of such an ancient whisky bottle still perfectly preserved to this day.'
Even for someone as used to handing rarities as Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet, the first sight of the oldest bottle of whisky in the world was a moment to remember. 'The first images of the bottle left me speechless for a few seconds; I simply couldn't believe such a treasure could still exist after nearly two centuries.'
The bottle itself has been authenticated by David Maister. Maister is one of the world's leading experts on vintage whisky, who also works with the likes of Sotheby's, Bonhams, and other prestigious collectors.
Mr Viet's initial surprise turned to action, fueled no doubt by the appeal of such a record for his collection, but also by the additional drivers of preservation. 'I began the journey to bring this precious bottle into my collection, believing that some opportunities in life only come once. Although the Old Glenlivet 1843 had never been on my "must-have" list, that very fact made this opportunity all the more special and cherished.'
With the addition of the Old Glenlivet 1843, Viet now holds the oldest known bottles of all four major aged spirits, each officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet'
I would be curious to know what is in his 'must-have' list if that bottle was absent. Mr Viet already holds more than twenty Guinness records, which is testament to his astonishing dedication to collecting. When you have that kind of collection, which you have dedicated a lifetime to building, there is no favourite, instead there are stories that shine and resonate at different moments, and with different audiences.
'I've been fortunate to acquire many old and rare bottles, some of which have set world records for their age, value, or limited quantity. However, there are four bottles that hold a particularly special place for me, not only due to their rarity but also because of the personal significance tied to my collecting journey.'
The four bottles Viet is referring to, are the four oldest unopened bottles of spirit from the four biggest spirits in the world. Which are:
'All four of these bottles have been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest intact bottles representing the four most prestigious categories of spirits: Cognac, Whisky, Armagnac, and Rum. These are the treasures I cherish most in my collection.'
You cannot argue with those choices. I'd press anyone to look at any bottles of rare spirit across the world they have the honour of interacting with and picking others. As a custodian Mr Viet is steadfast in his collection and dedication to preserving these unique moments of history. In his own words, 'each bottle is a living chapter, narrating history through every single drop.'