Cutting to the heart of the Rare Whisky Market
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralRarity, reputation, and collector psychology in the rare whisky market. Certain bottles attract intense bidding and regularly exceed their estimates, while others — sometimes of similar age or apparent rarity — struggle to generate interest.
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralWhisky distilleries have, over the centuries, inspired a wealth of folklore, but few tales are as gloriously eccentric as that of the guard geese of Dumbarton Distillery. Dumbarton, that vast cathedral to grain whisky, once stood sentinel on the banks of the Leven a brooding industrial fortress, all brick and steel and the perpetual reek of fermenting mash. And, guarding this temple of spirit? Not uniformed security men, nor slavering dogs, but a flock of singularly belligerent geese.
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralScarcity plays a central role in almost every collectible market. Whether in art, classic cars, or fine wine, limited availability tends to increase desirability and, in many cases, long-term value.
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralBottles or casks — which is the smarter whisky investment in 2026? Bottles offer liquidity; casks offer long-term upside. Collaborating with distilleries or independent bottlers with access to multiple cask portfolios can help navigate pricing and exit strategies more effectively.
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralBuying a whisky cask is usually the exciting bit. Selling it, however, tends to be where things become more complicated. Buyers want to buy well. Sellers want to sell well. Those are not always the same thing.
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralIn 2026, the key question is no longer “Can whisky be an investment?”. Instead, investors are asking something far more interesting: Is rare whisky still a good investment today?
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralThe story of Scotch whisky is so often told in broad strokes bold men building empires, bold drams poured beside roaring fires that it’s easy to overlook the quieter figures who shaped its fortunes. Such is the case with the Robertson sisters, whose story is not only a tale of whisky itself, but of what whisky can do when guided by grace, humility, and a profound sense of duty.
The Rare Whisky 101 Team
GeneralFiona and Euan MacEachern, who set up Loch Lomond Brewery in 2011, have recently expanded into spirits production, creating West Highland Spirits gins and vodka at their Dumbarton-based distillery on the banks of the River Leven. Now, they are taking their expertise one step further with Levenbank Distillery set to become the Lowlands’ newest whisky producer.
Grant Fraser
GeneralFor decades, India has been one of the biggest consumers of Scotch whisky, even surpassing France in 2023 to become the largest market for Scotch by volume, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. However, a shift is underway, and the world’s largest whisky market may soon turn its focus inward.
Grant Fraser
GeneralThe whisky world is divided as the English Whisky Guild pushes for GI status for English single malt, challenging Scotch whisky traditions. Can both sides find a compromise?
Grant Fraser
GeneralThe Macallan Folio 8 lands in the U.S. for the first time, with just 450 bottles available. A collector’s dream, this rare whisky blends rich history with exceptional taste.
Grant Fraser
GeneralDiageo is investing in electrifying Cameronbridge Distillery, cutting emissions by 90% and advancing its goal of net-zero operations by 2030
Grant Fraser
GeneralIsle of Tiree Distillery Revives Single Malt Whisky Production
Grant Fraser
GeneralRare Whisky 101 and Glasgow-based Digitonic join forces to revolutionise whisky collecting and investment in the UK and beyond, offering advanced tools and data-driven insights for enthusiasts and investors.
Gavin D Smith
GeneralDistillers the world over have to comply with prevailing regulations, sometimes finding them overly restrictive and wishing for greater freedom to innovate.
Andy Simpson
GeneralIncreased buoyancy in the Rare Whisky Market - September Closes out on Record High For Apex1000 Index
Andy Simpson
General2020 looks particularly positive with investment growth of 4.16%. Encouragingly, through peak lock-down months, both April and May yielded increases of 0.32% and 0.59% respectively.
Andy Simpson
GeneralWith many iconic bottles smashing previous record values and the sale of the 1926 Macallan Adami fetching a staggering £848,000 (£700,000 without auction commission), October has cemented itself as being the biggest single month ever, by both volume and value, for whisky sales at auction in the UK.
Andy Simpson
GeneralMay 2018 hasn’t let us down with over a staggering 10k bottles being sold across both Scotch and Japanese Whisky in this month alone.
Grant Fraser
GeneralWith Quarter 2 of 2018 now firmly in motion, we can see the expected trends emerging as the volume of bottles sold in April has dipped slightly yet the value has continued to grow.
Grant Fraser
GeneralSo far March 2018 has provided fascinating reading and some very strong results in the UK secondary market. Both volume and value are showing marked increases confirming the market is still in a very positive place, increasing, month on month.
Grant Fraser
GeneralAs 2018 is now fully under way, we can see that while the UK secondary market was previously dominated and driven by Macallan, there has been a shift in the scales
Grant Fraser
GeneralA buoyant start to the year, almost continuing where 2017 left off.
