by JAMES S. KIM
Good whiskey deserves a good toast. Why not toast to the freedom of North Koreans?
Blaine Vess, CEO of StudyMode, a Los Angeles-based ed-tech company, purchased the $64,000 dram of Macallan 64 Year single-malt whiskey on Saturday at The Macallan’s cocktail lounge at the Montage Beverly Hills. The Macallan had promised to donate proceeds from the sale to the charity of the buyer’s choice, and Vess chose Liberty in North Korea (LiNK).
But instead of drinking the whiskey, Vess, after toasting with fellow LiNK members, including Danny Lee, a North Korean rescued by LiNK, returned it to the hotel’s safe. The shot would be poured and enjoyed, he said, when the North Korean people were free.
“I believe that will happen in my lifetime,” Vess said. “I’m honored to support LiNK in promoting freedom and empowerment for the North Korean people, and grateful to The Macallan for their generosity in giving the proceeds from this valuable whiskey to charity. I hope what we’re doing here will raise awareness for what LiNK is doing in North Korea, and encourage others to support their efforts as well.”
Vess has supported LiNK since 2012, and he recently became chairman of the non-profit’s board of directors. The mini-bottle of the 85-proof Maccallan scotch that he purchased contains three single malts filled in 1942, ’45, and ’46, and it is the only one of its kind. A decanter of the same Macallan 64 Year single malt sold for $460,000 in 2010.
“Our organization is funded by thousands of people who find creative and sometimes crazy ways to support the North Korean people,” said Justin Wheeler, Vice President of LiNK. “We love that Blaine has decided to hold off drinking the shot and instead stand in solidarity with our North Korean friends. We can’t wait to return someday to raise our glasses filled with the world’s most expensive shot of whisky to celebrate the freedom of the North Korean people. We won’t stop until that day comes.”
That’s going to be one hell of a toast.
You can watch a brief video of the event below:
