By Colin Hampden-White
Macallan does it again.
Macallan has not only managed to stay at the top of the table, but it has also extended its lead. This could be down to a few things. Mainly, it’s because there has been a lot of Macallan at auction recently. Also there have been a few lower-level limited editions come to market over the last year or so and they are finding their way onto the secondary market. Examples of this would be the Concept series, which has had its final release recently, and the editions series. These I believe still have potential to grow even if bought on the secondary market at today’s prices. And it looks like a lot of other people feel the same as these series are doing well at auction.
High value Karuizawa bottles are still coming to auction giving this Japanese closed distillery a strong place on the table and with the recent releases of Brora, the most well known being the Tryptic, Brora continues to do well.
There is little change in the table this month, but the percentages have changed. They have become closer together. This makes it difficult to pick clear winners, but it is also a good sign that one shouldn’t do badly by choosing any of the brands or distilleries below as an investment. As long as one sticks to the rule of buying limited editions, single casks and good independent bottles.
Macallan 2%
Bowmore 1%
Karuizawa 1.0%
Springbank 1.5%
The Dalmore 2%
Brora 2%
Clynelish 2%
Rosebank Official Bottlings 1%
Ardbeg 1%
Glen Grant
With no clear winner other than Macallan, I have chosen a few different brands rather than sticking to one. As any good investment portfolio should have variation.
Bottles to Watch
Ardbeg Drum
Released a few years ago, this has already had some time in the marketplace and is still a great one to keep your eyes open for.
ABV: 46%
Size: 750ml
Find here: $279.99
From the committee release, this can still be found in the UK.
Ardbeg Drum Committee Release
ABV: 52%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £295
From the middle of the table I’d look for Clynelish
Clynelish Game of Thrones
With only 340 bottles of this single cask, cask strength bottle produced, from a well known independent bottler. I think this will do well.
ABV: 51%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £313.15
And from the very top of the table.
The Macallan Edition No.6
When customers are only allowed to buy one, it’s a clear indication that these will sell out fast and be in high demand. An annual release, also shows it’s only going to be created in limited numbers.
ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £249.95
And there we have it. A few suggestions for bottles which I think will do well in the future. As always, they are only suggestions, and I don’t profess to be the fountain of all knowledge, but these ideas might give you a helping hand in choosing bottles to invest in.
To see how this whisky investment index was created, follow this link and if you want to check out August and July’s recommended bottles then click here: August / July.