Words by Colin Hampden-White
The summer months are normally a little slower for auctions. This year has been a bit different. With few traveling on holiday and little opportunity to spend, alternative investments tend to do very well and this seems to be the case for Scotch.
This month sees the king has fallen and Macallan has taken the top place again. Macallan is always dominant in Asia and this month even more so taking it above all others. The mid table has been very steady with only minor changes. At the bottom, Ardbeg is still rising, and Glen Grant has taken the place of Bunnahabhain.
With little volatility, there doesn’t seem to be a bad bet in the top ten at the moment, although buying a bottle from the middle of the table would seem the safest thing to do.
Like last month I would still look at Springbank, and add Clynelish to your watch list. Below are a few bottles of the latter I’d be interested in.
Macallan 1%
Bowmore 1%
The Dalmore 2%
Springbank 1%
Clynelish 5%
Karuizawa 1.0%
Rosebank Official Bottlings 1%
Ardbeg 2%
Yamazaki 1%
Glen Grant
Bottles to Watch
Clynelish 1996 21 Year Old - Mission Gold Single Malt Whisky (Murry McDavid)
Size: 700ml
ABV: 50%
Find here: £344.94
Clynelish 1995 22 Year Old - Cask Strength Collection Single Malt Whisky
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £260.35
Clynelish 1995 25 Year Old - Cask Strength Collection Signatory
Size: 700ml
ABV: 51%
Find here: £313.15
When buying single cask bottles which seem cheaper than others, have a look at the abv. The price might be lower because the abv is also lower and therefore hasn’t been bottled at cask strength. Cask strength bottles will be more desirable, but also more expensive. Of the above four my pick would be the last one. Decent abv, good age, and less expensive than the first two.
Clynelish is never bottled by the distillery as a single cask. Diageo release a limited amount each year within the special releases, so the best way to invest in Clynelish is by buying independent bottles. These usually sell out quickly, so if you find one at the right price, don’t delay! Happy hunting.
As with March, April , May and June’s Whisky Investment Indexes, any bottles mentioned are just suggestions, I don’t pretend to have a crystal ball, but it will point you in the right direction to do your own research and start you on your journey in whisky investment.