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Whisky II

Gave in and rejoined SMWS. Hopefully this time I’ll make better use of their facilities in Edinburgh. My plan is to buy a bottle each month of my membership too :)

Well so far I've bought 3 bottles since December; they're all still unopened... :rolleyes:
 
We passed Glenallachie on the way back from Cullen today so I nipped into the distillery shop and picked up a bottle of the 10 year old batch 7.

The other one that caught my eye was a blended malt, McNair's Lum Reek, which is a cask-strength (55.4%) from a variety of casks and distilleries. Might pick one up next time I'm passing.
 
I'm just 60, investing in 25 cases of my favourites today might be a wise investment. Not for a windfall, just to stave off inflation.

This was an off the cuff remark but the more I think about it the more the idea of buying 12, 6 bottle, cases now really appeals. It would be as a hedge against inflation, whilst I'm still working and taking home far more than I spend.

If I set a budget of £3500, what would be a good profile for it and where best to spend? I know Whiskybroker will store cases for you so that has an appeal of it own, it might be worth giving them a call.

I'm also thinking that padding the collection out with a couple of cases each of Clynelish14 and Ledaig 10 at the bottom end would release some funds for splurging with the rest of the budget.

Any thoughts on an approach or sources? The key is that it will all be for drinking over the next 10 to 15 years, not an investment.
 
If I set a budget of £3500, what would be a good profile for it and where best to spend?

Any thoughts on an approach or sources?
Of course there are no guarantees about future performance. However, as you say prices are going up and your hedge approach makes sense. If you have old favourites it would make sense to stock up now.

There is also the question of how much of your own time you are willing to invest. You can spend hours and days on the new releases pages...is it worth it?

Do you have a local specialist retailer? Well worth chatting with them if you do.

Whisky Clubs are popping up more frequently if you are the sociable type!

Certain distilleries are just instantly collectible - Macallan and Springbank and the Japanese producers. They are tricky to buy on release as they sell out instantly.

Most distilleries have regular special releases. These can be collectable. If you sign up to their email lists you will get advance notice. Ardbeg for instance have just released "Ardcore" a Feis Isle Islay whisky festival special.

Some of the new distilleries are collectable - Daftmill, Bimber and single cask versions of Ardnamurchan for example. However they also sell out instantly.

Independent bottlings of sought after distilleries are another option e.g. those above and the likes of Ben Nevis.

Glenallachie is becoming increasingly sought after, especially their limited releases such as the UK only 14yo and the 15yo Scottish Oak which was expensive on release at £175 but will no doubt climb as the bottle numbers were very low.

Other distilleries are flying slightly under the radar - Benromach, but their 46% Contrasts range and cask strength releases would be my go to rather than the core range which are 43% and a bit fair to middling.

Speaking of bottle numbers it is very important to know...e.g. Glenallachie 10 cask strength numbers have increased dramatically release on release and this would tend to reduce values.

Whiskybase.com is an excellent resource for past and present releases and general values but beware the asking prices of private Sellers as these are way above auction final sales.

Which reminds me...there are several auction houses. I have no experience but I hear value can be thin on the ground in today's Seller's market.

Online review sites are a good source of information - Whiskyfun, Dramface spring to mind but there are more. Not forgetting the various YouTube channels of which Aquavitae with Roy Duff is a standout.
 
Of course there are no guarantees about future performance.
There is also the question of how much of your own time you are willing to invest. You can spend hours and days on the new releases pages...is it worth it?

Do you have a local specialist retailer? Well worth chatting with them if you do.

Whisky Clubs are popping up more frequently if you are the sociable type!

Certain distilleries are just instantly collectible - Macallan and Springbank and the Japanese producers. They are tricky to buy on release as they sell out instantly.

Most distilleries have regular special releases. These can be collectable. If you sign up to their email lists you will get advance notice. Ardbeg for instance have just released "Ardcore" a Feis Isle Islay whisky festival special.

Some of the new distilleries are collectable - Daftmill, Bimber and single cask versions of Ardnamurchan for example. However they also sell out instantly.

Independent bottlings of sought after distilleries are another option e.g. those above and the likes of Ben Nevis.

Glenallachie is becoming increasingly sought after, especially their limited releases such as the UK only 14yo and the 15yo Scottish Oak which was expensive on release at £175 but will no doubt climb as the bottle numbers were very low.

Other distilleries are flying slightly under the radar - Benromach, but their 46% Contrasts range and cask strength releases would be my go to rather than the core range which are 43% and a bit fair to middling.

Speaking of bottle numbers it is very important to know...e.g. Glenallachie 10 cask strength numbers have increased dramatically release on release and this would tend to reduce values.

Whiskybase.com is an excellent resource for past and present releases and general values but beware the asking prices of private Sellers as these are way above auction final sales.

Which reminds me...there are several auction houses. I have no experience but I hear value is thin on the ground in today's Seller's market.

Online review sites are a good source of information - Whiskyfun, Dramface spring to mind but there are more. Not forgetting the various YouTube channels of which Aquavitae with Roy Duff is a standout.

Thanks for a very full response. Some ground my thoughts had covered there but most that I had not. If i do go ahead planning and execution could take a year so we can adopt a leisurely pace.

The initial idea was driven by the knowledge that some bottles that I had picked out as excellent everyday drinking whisky over the last few years had either become unobtainable, eg Arran 14. or increased hugely in price, eg Arran 10, Glen Scotia 15.

I simply want to secure a supply of things I know I will like and would have bought anyway at the best possible price.
 
Some good advice above. Incidentally, have you tried recent bottlings of Clynelish 14? You may be disappointed

I have, indeed I'm half way down a bottle right now. That has taken less that two weeks.

I can see what he means, in that it is a processed product, but even he has to admit that it is still very good. It may not be dripping in wax but it is the oiliest whisky I have in the roster, by an appreciable distance. It also has that angelica note that I'm an absolute sucker for. I'm interested too that it presents a lot of qualities I associate with a sherry butt matured whisky without sickly sweetness. AFAIK its not been near a sherry butt, so that's either quite clever or it has an "e" number;)

I do like whisky that is less messed about with too and particularly enjoy the education in a product that is almost nothing but barrel influence. I've got some Whiskybroker stuff coming today that should broaden my horizons in that way.

That doesn't mean that there isn't a place for compromise and at £35 I'm happy to call it an absolute bargain.
 
The key is that it will all be for drinking over the next 10 to 15 years, not an investment.
Glad to hear it. There’s currently a bit of resettlement going on in the secondary market. Macallan, Ardbeg, Springbank and anything Japanese are as collectible as ever, however over the last few weeks I’ve landed a White Peaks Wire Works and a Lochlea Sewing Edition (both of which sold out in seconds on release) at auction for less than the rrp on release. And there seems to be a glut of Springbank’s blended malt- Campbeltown Loch. I picked up a few bottles at auction for cost price.

There’s no foretelling when and how the current boom will end. As I’ve said previously, I don’t think it will be like the 80’s with distilleries closing and Ardbeg and Port Ellen available by the caseload for peanuts. I think you’ll pretty much finish out in front in buying a few cases now, to be enjoyed over the coming decades.
 
There’s no foretelling when and how the current boom will end. As I’ve said previously, I don’t think it will be like the 80’s with distilleries closing and Ardbeg and Port Ellen available by the caseload for peanuts.

There still seems to be quite a bit of investment coming. Close to me then Pernod Ricard are investing heavily in upgrading a couple of the local distilleries, and there is a new distillery close to completion just outside Grantown on Spey.
 
Glad to hear it. There’s currently a bit of resettlement going on in the secondary market. Macallan, Ardbeg, Springbank and anything Japanese are as collectible as ever, however over the last few weeks I’ve landed a White Peaks Wire Works and a Lochlea Sewing Edition (both of which sold out in seconds on release) at auction for less than the rrp on release. And there seems to be a glut of Springbank’s blended malt- Campbeltown Loch. I picked up a few bottles at auction for cost price.

There’s no foretelling when and how the current boom will end. As I’ve said previously, I don’t think it will be like the 80’s with distilleries closing and Ardbeg and Port Ellen available by the caseload for peanuts. I think you’ll pretty much finish out in front in buying a few cases now, to be enjoyed over the coming decades.

Auctions are an interesting source guessing they are online, which one do you use?
 
There still seems to be quite a bit of investment coming. Close to me then Pernod Ricard are investing heavily in upgrading a couple of the local distilleries, and there is a new distillery close to completion just outside Grantown on Spey.
For sure, but I wonder how long the expansion will last- Chinese market notwithstanding. I was quite surprised how easy it is to pick up supposedly highly desirable bottles at auction. Of course there will always be Chinese and American millionaires snapping up Macallan but I’m wondering if it’s a sign that the cost of living crisis is hitting in relation to bottles that go under the radar of the big Macallan and Springbank collectors.
 
Auctions are an interesting source guessing they are online, which one do you use?
I’ve used Scotch Whisky Auctions and Whisky Hammer. Both are reliable, professional and transparent houses. From my cursory studies, Whisky Hammer does seem to attract higher hammer prices. The shipping charges are quite steep so much better to drop off or collect in person if you live in the Glasgow or Aberdeen area.
 
I’ve used Scotch Whisky Auctions and Whisky Hammer. Both are reliable, professional and transparent houses. From my cursory studies, Whisky Hammer does seem to attract higher hammer prices. The shipping charges are quite steep so much better to drop off or collect in person if you live in the Glasgow or Aberdeen area.
Thanks. I'm up that way next month, so might dip my toe to an auction this month in with a view to collection.
 
Glad to hear it. There’s currently a bit of resettlement going on in the secondary market. Macallan, Ardbeg, Springbank and anything Japanese are as collectible as ever, however over the last few weeks I’ve landed a White Peaks Wire Works and a Lochlea Sewing Edition (both of which sold out in seconds on release) at auction for less than the rrp on release. And there seems to be a glut of Springbank’s blended malt- Campbeltown Loch. I picked up a few bottles at auction for cost price.
I missed the Lochlea as we were on hols but snagged a couple of the Wire Works.
Wire Works and Lochlea were both deliberately decent outturns (5,016 and 7,500 bottles) for first releases and the Loch is a young blend to dampen demand so I'm not surprised the Flippers got a bit burnt once the Fans had bought a bottle or two. And there's no international interest in the former...yet.
But obviously you played s good hand picking them up at RRP. And there's a chance these inaugural releases will climb in the long term if the Distilleries do well and a fair proportion of the first bottles get supped.
However, if they release any single cask versions I'd expect they'd get jumped on and do well at auction.

For me it's China, as you said, leading the Macallan and Springbank surges and I can't see an end to that.
 
I missed the Lochlea as we were on hols but snagged a couple of the Wire Works.
Wire Works and Lochlea were both deliberately decent outturns (5,016 and 7,500 bottles) for first releases and the Loch is a young blend to dampen demand so I'm not surprised the Flippers got a bit burnt once the Fans had bought a bottle or two. And there's no international interest in the former...yet.
But obviously you played s good hand picking them up at RRP. And there's a chance these inaugural releases will climb in the long term if the Distilleries do well and a fair proportion of the first bottles get supped.
However, if they release any single cask versions I'd expect they'd get jumped on and do well at auction.

For me it's China, as you said, leading the Macallan and Springbank surges and I can't see an end to that.
Had a sip of the Lochlea over the weekend. All I’ll say at this stage is I’m glad I didn’t pay over the odds for it.
 


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