When most folk think of whisky they think of drinking it or collecting it. Most don’t consider it purely as an investment, which is a shame. In the world of luxury assets, whisky has been quietly and confidently proving itself on the investment market with 428% growth in the last decade. In fact, something like a Macallan single malt whisky gains four times its value in just 10 years, surpassing real estate, cars and wine. So if you’re an anorak and like the idea of turning a potential profit on your collection, here are the 10 best scotch whisky brands to invest in:
It’s no secret that time and prestige make wonderful bedfellows for any luxury asset, and Macallan is no exception. Founded in Speyside in 1824 and being one of the first distilleries to acquire a licence, Macallan has always seen itself as a leader in the world of whisky. With its unique production techniques and its continued reliance on the environment of the Scottish Highlands for its ingredients, the distillery’s aptitude for both consistency and innovation have made it a brand that is always on the forefront of investor’s minds.
When it comes to a single malt whisky, few are able to rival Bowmore, and not just for quality of taste. As an investment, it’s undeniably strong. A recent sale this year saw a cask sell for around $120,000, which is impressive yet not surprising, given Bowmore has the second largest market share in single-malt whisky globally. The scarcity of the whiskey produced from this distillery, which opened in Islay in 1779 and was the first distillery on the island to receive a licence, paired with the fact that most of the casks have matured over the 24 years, means this brand certainly deserves your attention.
Sometimes, it’s hard to argue with the experts, and this is certainly the case with Ardbeg. Having won the coveted ‘World Whisky of the Year’ numerous times over the years, it is safe to claim that Ardbeg’s smoky single malt whisky is the most awarded in the world. The Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old collection, in particular, is one of the most sought-after whiskeys in the world, not only for its rarity but for the fact that each batch is different from the last, making each all the more unique.
While some enthusiasts and collectors might baulk at this brand, given its global ubiquity, on pure investment terms it’s hard to deny. Through a mixture of shrewd marketing and remaining relevant to customers, Johnnie Walker has seen a growth of 18% in the past year alone. In terms of the whisky itself, The Midnight Blend, the 200th Anniversary Blue Label, and the Scotch King George V are all highly sought-after, given both their limited availability and the ingredients used, some of which date back to when the distillery was first opened.
When your distillery is owned by Suntory, who also look after legendary Scottish brands such as Macallan and Bowmore, you know you’re in good hands. Founded in 1815 in the area of Islay that the brand is named after, Laphroaig has garnered a reputation as being one of the most authentic whisky producers in the world, so much so that every year whisky lovers from all over the world are drawn to Laphroaig (and the rest of rugged Islay, it must be noted) to get a glimpse of its historic malting floor.
Whether you’re a dyed in the wool whisky enthusiast or not, it’s safe to assume that most people know the longer whisky is left to age the better the quality. And when most whiskeys are aged between 10 and 20 years, when a 31 year old single-malt is released, you know it won’t only taste special but it’ll no doubt make it a great investment. This is what Rosebank—the now dormant distillery in Falkirk, which closed in 1993—has done, and with only 9000 bottles set to be available, this is one brand to look out for. Furthermore, there are plans for Rosebank to reopen, meaning investors and collectors can expect more stellar releases to come.
Port Ellen’s story alone makes it worth considering as an investment. Founded on the Scottish island of Islay in 1825, it quickly established itself as an innovative leader in the market, becoming the first distillery to trade with North America in 1848. The distillery closed in 1929 but was reopened in 1966, only to close for a second time in 1983. Its modern reputation is built upon those 17yrs, as a limited annual release for each of those years was released between 2001 and 2017, making it one of the most sought-after collections in whisky, both for collectors and investors alike.
When it comes to whisky, few things are as important as pedigree. And it’s fair to say that Balvenie, which opened in 1982 in Dufftown, is as pure as they come. It certainly doesn’t hurt when the man who opened the distillery, William Grant, is the same who opened the Glenfiddich distillery just five years earlier, and before that had worked at the Mortlach distillery. Pedigree aside, Balvenie has grown to be one of the largest and most popular distilleries in Scotland, having won countless global awards over the years. One ace up its sleeve is the long-standing employment of master blender David Stewart, who pioneered the process of wood finishing. Which, to anyone with a developed palate for whisky, will be seen as a green flag for investment.
Another brand whose pedigree is top-notch is Springbank. Opened in 1828 in Campbeltown, on the peninsula of Kintyre on Scotland’s west coast, this distillery has been owned by the same family ever since, and is the only Scottish distillery to handle every step of the whisky-making process, from malting the barley right through to bottling the finished product. The Millenium Set is one of the most recognisable and hard to find releases from Springbank, with a 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 year old single malts comprising the entire set. With only 580 sets produced, collecting the set would be a grand investment indeed.
For many collectors and investors of whisky, there are three important things to keep in mind: the whisky’s story, its rarity, and last but not least, its taste. Any whisky produced by Mortlach will likely have all three, in spades. One, Mortlach was not only the first of the famous seven distilleries of Dufftown but also the first legal one. Two, its Gordon & MacPhail Mortlach 75 Year Old, which had a release of only 100 bottles, is the oldest single malt whisky on the market today and sells for over $40,000. Three, it was the 3rd biggest-selling whisky globally in 2022, which speaks as much to its taste as anything.
The Final Word
In the end, this is just a guide to help you start your whisky journey, if you feel driven to. Like any foray into investment, to give yourself the best chance of success you must exercise your due diligence. Also, this is but a small sample of the whisky world, and if you do decide to invest in whiskey you’ll soon find that it’s a world as wonderful and unique as the world of wine. Better yet, if you’re already a whisky fan you’ll find your appreciation grows steadily as you learn more and more about this delicious nuanced drink. And if you’re not already a fan, well, you might find you soon become one. Happy investing