Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet, famously known as the “King of World Spirits,” has set a remarkable record by becoming the owner of the oldest known bottles of whisky, rum, cognac, and armagnac. This achievement makes him the first collector in history to have all four major aged spirits recognized by Guinness World Records.

With over 20 Guinness records to his name, Mr. Viet has cultivated an extraordinary vintage spirits collection, most recently adding an 1843 bottle of Glenlivet, recognized as the oldest whisky in existence. His journey into collecting spirits began as a hobby but soon transformed into a passion for preserving history through these liquid treasures.

Mr. Viet shared insights into his motivations for collecting: “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.” Each bottle in his collection symbolizes a slice of history, as he regards them as time capsules carrying stories from the past.

His collection includes a remarkable range of rare bottles, such as a 1772 rum and a 1696 cognac. Each acquisition is not merely for display; it embodies his commitment to safeguarding distillation history. The newest addition, The Old Glenlivet 1843, first surfaced in 1970 but vanished for years before being rediscovered by esteemed collectors, highlighting its significance and rarity.

The Glenlivet itself has a storied history, being the first distillery in the Speyside region to receive an official license in 1824. Mr. Viet’s acquisition process speaks to the importance of preservation, as the previous collectors sought a custodian who would appreciate the historical value of such a bottle.

For Mr. Viet, collecting has evolved from a casual interest into a life’s work, as he reflects on the many rare bottles he has acquired over time. Among the four oldest intact bottles he now possesses, the highlights include:

• Jules Robin 1696 – the oldest intact Cognac bottle, aged 329 years.
• Old Glenlivet 1843 – the oldest whisky bottle, aged 182 years.
• Armagnac 1830 – the oldest Armagnac bottle, aged 195 years.
• Rhum Ancienne Année 1772 – the oldest Rum bottle, aged 253 years.

All these extraordinary bottles are officially recognized by Guinness World Records, cementing Mr. Viet’s status as a dedicated custodian of spirit history. He describes each bottle as a living chapter, reminding us of the importance of preserving these unique moments from the past.