Whisky has earned its place as one of the best spirits to invest in with its steady growth in the past decade. The compelling pull of investing in whisky is that they have the ability to maintain its value overtime or increase its value in some cases, posing as a low risk investment in times of economic instability. It became a growing trend in the COVID-19 pandemic where we experienced one of the largest global recessions and disruptions to the global economy. This prompted people to invest money into items that have true value and reliable growth. That being said, the area of whisky investment has been consistently growing, with the global whisky market valued at a whopping USD 67.9 billion in 2023.
The global whisky market is anticipated to reach USD 101.10 billion by 2031, as reported by Straits Research. Furthermore, the spirit has grown both as a drink and investment opportunity, with its lower price tag and potential for large returns. Thus, making it a good time to look into investing in whisky. LUXUO presents our top ten picks for whiskies to invest in.
Macallan Archival Series Folio 1
The Macallan Archival series is one of the most sought-after collections, consisting of a total of 24 Folios paying homage to the brand’s distinctive advertising back in the 1970s to 1990s. Since launching the Archival series in 2015, Folios 2 to 6 have been released and only sold through their distilleries and online ballots, retailing for about USD 300 a bottle. Pictured above is The Macallan Archival Series Folio 1, released in 2015 and the first addition to the ongoing series with only 2,000 bottles produced. Based on the findings of analysts, Whisky Returns, this particular series has 40.90% annualised return with a liquidity score of 93.20%, meaning its value has massively appreciated since its release and is in high demand on the secondary market, despite its high resale price averaging at about USD 9,700.
Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak
The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old is a part of the brand’s Sherry Oak Collection that releases annually and has become known as one of the most renowned single malt series in the industry. Its annual releases create demand in collectors for previous editions — when the annual release occurs, previous editions are discontinued, prompting an increase in demand due to the limited supply. In particular, the 2020 release of the Sherry Oak collection is one of the rarest on the secondary market, its scarcity raises its value with a liquidity score of 100% as recorded on Whisky Returns. That being said, any release of this collection is a fairly low risk investment with healthy annual returns. Additionally, with new bottles being released each year, the longer you hold onto it, the more valuable it becomes on the market.
Yamazaki 25 Year Old Whisky
The Yamazaki 25 Year Old whisky comes from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery. The Yamazaki Sherry Cask produces limited quantities and is one of the most sought-after Japanese whiskies on the market. While it is still in production today, production is slowing down, resulting in a steady increase in rarity and demand on the secondary market. The winner of the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky in 2012, retailed for around USD 2,000, and is now selling on the secondary market for no less than USD 10,000. While its retail price is already significant, its investment potential is likely to result in high returns for short term investments.
Laroaig The Ian Hunter Story ‘Book 1:Unique Character 30 Year old Whisky’
The Ian Hunter story is a collectable 15 series collection of whiskies honouring the legacy of Ian Hunter, who is one of the five founding brothers of the distillery. Each bottle is aged according to the significant years of Hunter’s life with Laphroaig starting with 30 years old and ending with 45 years old, of which, five have already been released. The Unique Character trait of “Book 1” is in the introduction of American oak into the maturation process, a reflection of Hunter’s influence. Only 4,800 bottles are released, at a retail price of around USD 700 USD to USD 800 — with “Book 1” being the rarest and most wanted, going for almost three times its retail price on the secondary market. A collection of this series is definitely one for long term investors to consider in the with 10 upcoming releases.
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Karuizawa Ruby Geisha 38-year-old Single Malt Japanese Whisky
The Karuizawa Ruby Geisha 38-year-old Single Malt Japanese Whisky is one of the rarest and most sought-after whiskies in the world. Coming from Japan’s most unique distillery, it was located at high altitude and within close proximity to an active volcano, meaning that the products were made with some of the purest water the world has to offer. The brand developed a cult-like following for its small batch whiskies before closing its doors in 2000. Resulting in a spike in both rarity and value in the secondary market. With its growing market price and dwindling supply, these Karuizawa bottles have become one of the most high-profile and highly-coveted in the market. Previously sold at a retail price of around USD 300, its value has skyrocketed now, with the existing bottles being sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. This option is definitely for an individual with extensive knowledge and resources to be able to invest wisely.
Glenfarclas 35 Year Old Warehouse Edition
Glenfarclas has been around ever since the 1830s and now ran by its sixth generation. The 35 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Warehouse Edition came by when distillery manager, Callum Fraser came across some casks nearing the 35-year-old mark. He later decided to release the mature whisky after sampling. The special batch was bottled at the end of 2022 and released in 2023 in limited quantities. Additionally, each bottle was held within a special edition box, mimicking the doors of the warehouse. Since its release, these have become a collectable item retailing for around USD 155 to USD 220, and being sold for up to USD 2,000 on the secondary market. This series has become an annual collection, still maintaining its release of limited quantities, hence the longer one holds onto it, the better. Additionally for short term investors, this series is frequently traded within the market, making it a low risk investment with a sizeable return. Alternatively, to maximise returns, collect this series as a long term investment.
Hibiki 17 Year Old (Chrysanthemum & Crane)
The Habiki 17 Year Old (Chrysanthemum & Crane) was a special edition of the Habiki series, their most popular collection. The limited edition bottle is decorated with the Japanese nation flower and cranes to fit the theme “Kacho Fugetsu” which is a design that represents the beauty of Japanese nature. In addition to its visual appeal, only 1,000 bottles were made and sold were for around USD 210 a piece. Its rarity had resulted in its market value has growing exponentially, reaching average price of around USD 3,000 on the current secondary market. The demand for this bottle is extremely high and annualised returns are above average at 21.1% according to Whisky Returns. Due to a large number of listings and current high demand, this whisky is best for short term investors.
Springbank 30 Year Old
The family-owned distillery has been producing high-quality single malt whisky for almost 200 years and among some of the most traded brands in the market. The distilleries are situated in Campbeltown and is the only one of its kind in the coastal area offering a unique flavour profile and impeccable quality. Springbanks’ younger whiskies are frequently in high demand on the secondary market with the Springbank 21 Year Old having an annualised return rate of over 20% as per Whisky Returns, making it a great investment for short term investment enthusiasts. Pictured above is the Springbank 30 Year Old significantly in more scarce quantities compared to its younger counterparts, with only 1,400 bottles released, going for no less than USD 4,000 on the secondary market. This number can be expected to grow year after year, ideal for investors that are in it for the long term.
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Ardbeg 25 Year Old Lord of Isles
Scottish distillery, Ardbeg is popular among collectors with limited edition collections releasing annually. The 25 year Old Lord of Isles is particularly special, paying homage to the small island in west Scotland where the distilleries are located. Given that the classic Ardbeg 25 Year Old is already highly sought-after, the Lord of Isles series is even more in-demand with its special packaging and limited supply, especially after production halted in 2007. Furthermore, since its release in 2002, its market value has gone from around USD 750 to an average of USD 2,000 on the current secondary market. Its rarity and collectable characteristic makes it a low risk high return option for long-term investors.
Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 1
The original Balvenie Tun 1401 was handpicked by expert David Stewart, using a total of four casks and two sherry butts to make its first batch, which then matured in Tun 1401 the distillery’s traditional oak vessel. Each batch consisted of casks aged 35 to 45 years old and a single 21 or 22 year old blend to mixed in increase alcohol percentages. This collection had a total of nine batches with Batch 1 being the most valuable and most rare with a mere 336 bottles being sold as opposed to an average of 2,000 bottles in the later batches. The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 1 now sells for tens of thousands due to its exclusivity. If one is lucky enough to get their hands on one, it is perfect for a long term investment, and is likely to increase its value year after year.
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