All of us get pleasure from ingesting whiskey right here, however we nonetheless won’t wish to by chance open a bottle that may have been price greater than we paid for it. The current discovery of a $1,000,000 doc purchased for $27.50 by Harvard College exhibits the significance of double checking what now we have on our cabinets. Even should you nonetheless plan to drink it, it’s good to know what stage of event is appropriate to crack that seal. So whether or not it’s a set you’ve amassed over time, or one thing you’ve inherited, run via these ten questions to identify a collectible scotch.
1. Is It Single Malt?
The very first thing to test for whenever you’re taking a look at collectible scotch whisky (be aware it’s with out an e for the Scottish spelling) is whether or not it’s a mix or single malt. If it’s a bottle of blended scotch you’re most likely secure; blends are mass produced whiskies and customarily, until you’ve a one-of-a-kind or one thing from the 1800s, they’re unlikely to be very precious. If it’s a single malt then hold going together with your checks.
2. Is It Macallan?
Some distilleries are considerably extra prone to be collectible than others. Macallan exists in a particular bubble of its personal inside the market, the place even the whiskies that don’t observe the foundations beneath may be collectible. So you probably have a bottle of Macallan single malt it’s at all times price a valuation test (see level ten) earlier than you break the seal. Different distilleries which have this—however to a lesser extent—are Bowmore and Ardbeg.
3. Was It Distilled Pre-2000?
Typically, earlier vintages are extra collectible so look to see in case your bottle has a classic specified. If it was distilled pre-2000s then it’s extra prone to be collectible than newer vintages.
4. Is It An Age-Assertion Scotch?
Older age-statements are typically dearer on the whole so open something over 18 years outdated with warning. Evaporation throughout maturation in a barrel and simply the period of time it takes to make these older whiskies makes them extra scarce and wanted. Older whiskey isn’t at all times higher, however there’s a perceived high quality improve with age and this in flip makes them typically price extra.
More and more fashionable whiskies don’t have age statements or vintages, so these final two may be difficult to make use of should you’re taking a look at releases from the final ten years. And naturally, Macallan Non-public Eye (no age-statement, no classic) is a superb exception, but in addition that’s the reason Macallan has its personal part.
5. Is It A Restricted Version Whiskey?
Not all restricted version whiskies are collectible, however they are typically dearer and extra wanted. So in case your whiskey states restricted version, particular launch or one in every of XX bottles then it’s time to try this valuation test.
6. Do You Have A Single Cask Launch?
Following on from level 5, single cask releases by their nature are likely to have a restricted variety of bottles. If it says single cask, or there’s a cask quantity on there then the shortage of that launch may also help drive worth, particularly alongside level eight.
7. Does It Type A Collection?
Totally different collectors get pleasure from totally different points of amassing. Some will purchase any bottle they discover fascinating, whereas lots of people are drawn to a theme. Generally the theme is perhaps a distillery, area, or age assertion, however bottles that kind a part of a collection naturally attraction to collectors. In case your bottle is a part of a collection, particularly one which types a vertical, then it’s time to test the worth.
8. Is It Extremely Rated
With scotch whisky there may be often a disconnect between worth and high quality—nice critiques don’t are likely to trigger costs to rise for brand new releases. As a substitute, it tends to be a mixture of distillery, age and shortage which are the most important drivers of worth. Nonetheless, there are a number of huge exceptions to that.
For classic scotch whiskies particularly, and much more so for impartial bottlings, a excessive overview rating from a revered reviewer tends to create values above what can be anticipated. Early impartial bottling releases from the likes of Samaroli, Cadenhead’s and others are prime examples of this
9. Is The Distillery Closed?
A closed distillery would possibly sound like a foul factor, however as an alternative it helps drive shortage and enhance costs. Kudos added if the distillery was closed and has been reopened—a number of examples: Brora, Port Ellen, Rosebank, Springbank, Ardbeg…
10. Can You Verify The Worth?
The final, sure-fire option to test whether or not your scotch whisky is effective, is to do a free valuation test! If what whisky you’ve, you are able to do a fast comparability right here at The Whiskey Wash Evaluate—simply keep in mind, have a look at the public sale tab, or should you’re taking a look at retail costs it is advisable roughly half it to your worth as a non-public particular person.
In case you’re nonetheless undecided, otherwise you need extra data on choices for promoting then head over to our colleagues at Mark Littler Ltd and add a photograph of your bottle for a free whisky valuation.
