Dom Perignon champagne doesn't come cheap. What's more, trendy London bars have been known to add a high premium on vintage champagne. Even by London standards however, reports that a Russian billionaire spent an eye-watering £50,000 (over $76,000) including tips on a single bottle this week raised eyebrows amidst all the reports of recession in the capital.

Bartenders at the Westbury Hotel don't often get requests like this: a Methuselah of champagne vintage 1996 Dom Perignon Rosé Gold.

With only 35 bottles produced every year and the 1996 vintage considered one of the best of the 20th century, it is fair to say not everyone can afford this luxury.

A Methuselah (6L) corresponds to 8 standard-sized bottles and is a work of art in itself: dipped in rose gold, the bottle alone is worth almost £20,000. It is so fragile that sommeliers are instructed to wear white silk gloves when handling it.

While the champagne cost a mere £35,000, the buyer left a £10,625 tip in addition to the £4,375 service charge, according to the Telegraph. All included, that's equivalent to a staggering £1,562.50 per glass.

Unfortunately, the buyer is said to have spilt "at least 3 glasses" within minutes of receiving the champagne bottle at his table.

The champagne is thought to be the most expensive ever bought in a bar. It was consumed on Tuesday April 17, 2010 during a party that followed the screening of the new film, “Boogie Woogie”.

According to Elias Yiallouri, the bar manager, ''Dom Perignon is famed for being the 'first' or 'stars' Champagne', but Rosé Gold is the finest of all its brands – the champagne of kings.

''Each bottle is like a piece of fine art – stunningly beautiful, extremely valuable and highly collectable.''

The champagne is "copper pink with shades of amber and gold" according to its makers, characterised by "Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes".

Probably best not to use in one of our champagne cocktail recipes!