Whisky offers tonic for canny UK investors

A RECORD number of rare bottles of Scotch whisky were sold at UK auctions last year though market leader The Macallan suffered a drop in value, according to a new report.

Rare whiskies are a popular investment for individuals. Picture: Neil Hanna

The collectors and investors’ annual review from consultancy Rare Whisky 101 (RW101) analyses every bottle of rare Scotch that is sold at auction to determine the value of the UK market and the most collectable bottles.

The number of single malts sold during 2014 soared by 68.2 per cent to 33,998 bottles resulting in a 69.4 per cent increase in the collective value, which now sits at just over £7.6 million, according to the report.

Bottles from “silent distilleries” no longer in production led the growth as independent bottles now outpace distillery official ones. The review points to a significant change to the landscape of collectable Scotch with The Macallan – accounting for a quarter of the market – falling by almost 7.5 per cent.

Co-founder of RW101 and report co-author, Andy Simpson, said: “The interest in buying single malts at auction is very much from those who appreciate the drink, the packaging and all that Scotch whisky encapsulates as much as it is from investors with a keen eye for something that’s rising in value.

“The niche aspects of Scotch whisky investing is mainly of interest to private individuals.”

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