Collecting Whisky: What You Need To Know

When it comes to collectibles, a bottle of whisky might seem like an unusual choice. But if you know what you’re looking for, these amber bottles can be a fascinating choice for collectors. 

Thanks to the limited global supply of high-end whiskies paired with the unique qualities and flavour profiles of individual batches, it’s possible for collectors to stumble on rare gems. For instance, in 2022, a 1975 cask of Ardberg sold for almost 30.5 million AUD. This should give you an idea of the value collectors place on whisky. The fact that many collectible whisky bottles are no longer in production further heightens the rarity – and value – of the most sought-after bottles.

An Overview Of Whisky Collecting As A Hobby

There’s no question that whisky collecting is a massively popular hobby. The market for Scotch, which is whisky that comes from Scotland, alone is projected to rise to 52.1 billion AUD in 2024. When all types of whisky are taken into account, the global market is estimated at 98.6 billion AUD as of 2024. Today, much of the demand for collectible whisky comes from investors from larger Asian markets like China, India and Japan. 

There are many reasons to get into whisky collecting. For one thing, adding a rare bottle of whisky to your collection allows you to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making it. There are many steps, from harvesting the grain to bottling the whisky, that go into each and every bottle you hold in your hands. 

Whisky collecting is also a social hobby. Attending whisky auctions, whether online or physically, allows you to interact with like-minded collectors. You can also join in-person and digital whisky communities that allow you to discuss, ask questions about and share pictures of rare bottles of whisky. There are also now successful whisky festivals like Whisky Abbey that take place every year.

If you’re looking to build your whisky collection from scratch, you can either buy whisky by the bottle or by the cask. In the following sections, we’ll explore how to go about collecting bottles and casks respectively, as well as the pros and cons of each option.

Collecting Bottled Whisky 

If you’re just getting started in the world of collecting whisky, you’re best off buying whisky by the bottle. But how do you buy whisky as a collector? As with any high-end product market, you can participate in auctions to bid on professionally valued bottles. Alongside attending live whisky auctions, you can also buy whisky bottles as an investor by shopping at whisky retail websites or buying directly from fine and rare whisky specialists. Once again, just ensure you do background research on any retailers or independent sellers you invest with.

Buying whisky by the bottle is the most popular way to collect whisky. Purchasing bottles of whisky allows you much more flexibility than buying casks, as you don’t need to wait for the whisky to mature. Whisky stored in bottles does not age, giving you the freedom to hold onto your whisky as long as you want. Store your whisky bottles upright in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature to prevent evaporation and preserve their quality.

Some of the top whisky bottles to collect currently include the Hibiki 21 Years Old, the Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 7, the Springbank 25 Year Old, and the Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old. Distilleries producing some of the most collectible whiskies include Macallan, Lagavulin, Laphroaig Springbank, Ardbeg with Bourbon distilleries like Pappy Van Winkle, Colonel E.H Taylor and Mitchers also doing well in recent times.

Keep an eye out for whether bottles are either straight from the distillery or from a reputable independent bottler to verify their authenticity and quality.

There are many factors that go into whether or not a bottle of whisky makes for a good addition to your collection. As mentioned, the distillery impacts whisky’s desirability. Age is another factor, as is market demand for a specific bottle or distillery or even the quality of the whisky inside the bottle. The Bowmore Black is a good example of a well-known distillery with an aged statement whisky that has fantastic reviews on nose, taste and finish and would make a fantastic addition to any whisky collection. 

Whether you’re bidding on a whisky bottle to add to your collection or buying one from a store, you want to make sure to get a good price. The factors mentioned above all go into the value of a bottle of whisky and can help you decide whether or not a particular whisky makes for a good buy at a certain price. It’s also worth looking over past auctions to determine roughly how much a bottle of whisky that you’re interested in adding to your collection should cost you. 

Collecting Casks Of Whisky 

The second primary way of collecting whisky is to buy casks from a distillery. This is typically done through a broker, who buys whisky straight from distilleries like Macallan and sells them to private collectors like yourself. 

The main reason to collect whisky by the cask is that it allows you to buy whisky at a lower price point than fully mature whisky. When stored in casks, whisky will continue to age and improve in taste and quality. Collecting casks of whisky gives you the satisfaction of witnessing your whisky mature over time. 

Collecting whisky by the cask is not for beginners, however. Because you’ll be buying an entire cask of whisky, prices will typically start at over 7,000 AUD, making it a more capital-intensive purchase. It’s also harder to sell a cask of whisky than it is a bottle. 

Casks of whisky are also harder to source than bottles. Rather than bidding for whisky bottles in the flesh or on online platforms, you’ll need to find a broker with connections to whisky distilleries. 

~

If you’re looking to collect whisky, you’ll want to look at online auctions. Learn how to buy and sell whisky through platforms like Cellar Vault and grow your whisky collection today. Alongside providing free valuation services for prospective sellers, Cellar Vault also offers secure domestic and international shipping, shipping insurance and secure packaging.

While there’s a lot to learn about the world of collectible whisky, the effort is well worth it. Finding and buying rare whiskies and growing your whisky collection is one of the coolest and most satisfying hobbies out there. 

What are you waiting for? Do your research, look up upcoming auctions, and grow your collection of rare whiskies today.