This is not the only time Costco has sold a wildly expensive bottle of alcohol. Two years ago, a bottle of 54-year-old Singleton scotch single malt whisky was available at a Costco in Honolulu for $36,999.99, as per the r/Costco subreddit. Another commenter claimed to have seen the same bottle of Singleton at Total Wine for $42,000; Forbes listed the recommended retail at $40,100. Another Costco displayed a bottle of Benromach 50-year single malt for $9,999.99 — a steal, compared to the Macallan and Singleton (and $2,800 cheaper than Total Wine).
Does anyone actually buy these bottles? According to one commenter who is or was a Costco employee, they did in fact sell one of these bottles of Singleton. It was a retirement present. And when buying one, you can’t just walk up to the orange shelf and put it in your cart beside the value pack of wool socks, even though it looks like you can just pick up the box from the shelf. The Singleton and Benromach were actually displayed on the floor behind plexiglass, whereas the Macallan box was placed (empty) above a crate of wine and the bottle was kept under lock and key. If you’re in the market for one, you just have to ask at the register.