THE Liquid gold Rush

Rare and exclusive bottles of whisky and tequila, worth hundreds of thousands, sit unopened as collector's items. Meet Reinhardt Paulsen, the man behind Urban Spirits and a purveyor of sought-after spirits from across the globe

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Reinhardt Paulsen has sourced whiskys and tequilas that most people will never see in their lifetime. Many of the bottles in his own collection and the collections of clients are worth thousands of rands - or even hundreds of thousands. They include the old, the new, the rare, and the exclusive. For Reinhardt, who has been in the food and drinks industry for over two decades fine liquor is about more than just having a drink' or enjoying a whisky. It's a way to connect with people, to appreciate nuance culture and national pride, and to celebrate experts of their craft.

If you've ever walked into a bottle store, seen the beautiful glass displays and wondered who on earth is drinking R500 000 whisky, you're not alone. As the owner of Urban Spirits, Reinhardt is a purveyor of rare, exclusive and soughtafter spirits from across the globe. He has sourced a number of unique buys from auctions, private collectors and distilleries.