Smart Whisky Investing – Bottom of the Market 2024
December 2024 has revealed itself to be one of the best times in recent memory for smart whisky investing at auction.
Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast, a seasoned collector, or an investor looking to capitalize on the luxury market, auctions this month have offered unmatched opportunities.
Prices have dipped to remarkable lows, presenting a rare chance to acquire bottles that could appreciate significantly in the years to come.
Here’s a deep dive into my December 2024 auction haul, strategies for selecting high-value bottles, and why now is the perfect time to grow your collection.
Over three auctions, I secured an impressive lineup of single cask, cask strength, and limited-edition whiskies from some of the most sought-after distilleries. Here’s a snapshot of the bottles I acquired:
| Auction | Bottle Name | Winning Price | Notes |
| Whisky Auctioneer | Lindores 2018 Single Sherry Cask #577 | £41 | Sherry cask maturation, great value |
| Springbank 12-Year-Old Cask Strength (2020) | £135 | Highly collectible and strong investment | |
| Springbank 12-Year-Old Cask Strength (2018) | £140 | Consistently appreciated by collectors | |
| Springbank 12-Year-Old Cask Strength (2019) | £131 | Popular vintage | |
| Springbank 12-Year-Old Cask Strength (2021) | £131 | Excellent cask strength | |
| Isle of Arran 1996 Murray McDavid | £35 | Bargain price for a 1996 vintage | |
| Springbank 12-Year-Old Cask Strength (2024) | £120 | Fresh release, good potential | |
| Scotch Whisky Auctions | Arran 1996 Single Cask #1026 Distillery Exclusive | £95 | Rare Arran exclusive |
| Arran 2000 Single Cask #255 Distillery Exclusive | £110 | Aged release with unique character | |
| Chichibu Ichiro’s Malt On The Way 2015 Release | £150 | Japanese whisky icon | |
| Glenfiddich 14-Year-Old Single Cask #794 | £130 | Speyside classic from a limited single cask | |
| Speyside (M) 2005 17-Year-Old Signatory | £150 | Matured and bottled by Signatory, excellent | |
| whiskyauction.com | Springbank Longrow Red (11-Year-Old, 2019 Bottling) | €116 | Matured in Refill Re-charred Sherry Butt |
| Springbank Longrow Red (13-Year-Old, Chilean Cab Sauv) | €126 | Unique wine-cask influence | |
| Springbank Longrow Red (12-Year-Old, Pinot Noir) | €130 | Pinot Noir finish, highly rated | |
| Arran 2008 11-Year-Old | €100 | Young yet complex vintage |
Tips for Smart Whisky Investing at Auction
Building a collection is as much about strategy as it is about passion. Over the years, I’ve developed these key tips to ensure every purchase adds value to my portfolio:
- Follow Past Performance:
Research how bottles have performed historically in auctions and on the secondary market. Bottles with a strong track record of price appreciation are safer bets. - Always Buy Single Casks:
Single casks are limited, unique, and highly collectible. Their rarity ensures demand remains high, making them a cornerstone of any serious collection. - Buy in Bulk:
Securing 6-12 bottles of the same whisky provides better clarity on its value and simplifies resale if needed. For example, instead of 10 different bottles, I’d rather have 10 of the same Macallan Classic Cut 2017. - Define Your Collection Size:
Whether you aim to own 200, 500, or 1,000 bottles, setting a target keeps your collecting focused and manageable. - Avoid Sets:
While complete sets might seem appealing, single bottles from high-performing vintages often deliver better returns. For example, I’d prioritize owning multiple 2017 Macallan Classic Cuts over a full set spanning 2017–2023. - Set Alerts and Chase New Bottles:
Stay ahead of the market by setting alerts for upcoming releases and auctions. Securing bottles early often leads to better deals. - Focus on Key Distilleries:
Certain distilleries consistently deliver value in both the collectible and drinking markets.- Best Choices: Macallan, Springbank, Arran, Glendronach, Glenallachie
- High-Risk, High-Reward: Bimber, Daftmill, Waterford
- Old but Gold Potential: Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Glengoyne
- Buy First Releases:
First releases, especially single casks, often become highly collectible over time. These early bottlings are often undervalued initially and appreciate as the distillery gains prominence.
Why Auctions Are the Best Place to Buy Whisky
Whisky auctions offer access to rare and discontinued bottles at prices often far below retail. For instance:
- Chichibu On The Way (2015): Won for £150, compared to a retail price of £350–£750.
- Macallan Genesis: Secured for £1,300, far below its historical high of £5,000.
- Springbank Longrow Red (Pinot Noir): Won for €130, an incredible value given its unique finish.
Auctions also provide the chance to buy bottles in bulk, chase single casks, and snag bargains that aren’t available anywhere else.
Conclusion: A Collector’s Moment
December 2024 represents a unique convergence of market conditions, creating incredible opportunities for whisky collectors and investors. Auctions have delivered rare bottles at remarkable prices, and the strategies outlined here ensure you can maximize your collection’s value.
If you’re serious about whisky collecting, now is the time to act. The market won’t stay this favorable forever, and the right bottles purchased today could be the cornerstones of a highly valuable collection tomorrow.
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