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Top 10 most collectible Scotch brands of 2016

Sellers are becoming “more confident” in placing high value bottles at auction, which in turn generates increased buyer interest, according to RW101’s Collectors’ Index for 2016.

RW101 reveal the top 10 most collectible Scotch brands of 2016

In its most recent report, rare whisky index, valuation and brokerage firm Rare Whisky 101 (RW101) reported a “significant” increase in the number of bottles of single malt Scotch whisky sold at auction in the UK of 35.21%, with more than 58,758 bottles totalling £14.2 million (US$17.7m).

The secondary market for rare Scotch continues to mature, with RW101 citing “increased liquidity in what was once a relatively illiquid market”.

Trading costs associated with selling rare whisky are reducing due to auctioneer demand, the firm said, and the process of selling a bottle has become “an entirely different experience to that pertaining even five years ago”.

Bottles are “easier than ever to sell”, and prices have risen to all-time highs, so RW101 says it is “little surprise” that there has been such an increase in the number of bottles sold.
Despite this increase, there is very little movement in this year’s Collectors’ Index, with many distilleries remaining static.

We may have already brought you the most investible Scotch brands of 2016, but click through the following pages to see which whiskies RW101 found to be the most collectible last year.

10. Springbank

Down 1 place

Now one of just three distilleries in Campbeltown – once regarded “the whisky capital of the world” – Springbank was built in 1828 on the site of Archibald Mitchell’s illicit still. The distillery remains family-owned, today headed by Hedley G. Wright, Mitchell’s great great grandson, and produces single malt Scotch whiskies Springbank, Hazelburn and Longrow. While the distillery is drifting further down the collectors’ index with each passing year, it still remains a firm favourite for collectors.

9. Port Ellen

Down 1 place

While Diageo’s Port Ellen distillery held on to its top three slot in RW101’s most investible Scotch distilleries of 2016 countdown, it shuffled ever so slightly south in the Collectors’ Index – indicating that while demand is high, the volume isn’t there. The silent site has not produced liquid since 1983, and Diageo has released a limited edition bottle of Port Ellen every year since 2001, so stocks must surely be thin on the ground.

8. Glenmorangie

Down 1 place

LVMH’s Glenmorangie has too slipped down on RW101’s Collectors’ Index, and now sits at number eight. Last year the distillery was a hive of activity – introducing the inaugural ‘Old Fashioned Week’ with a spotlight on its Extra Matured Range, expanding The Legends Collection with the launch of The Tarlogan and Tayne, and at the end of the year unveiling the first expression in its new range of “vintage” whiskies, called Bond House No. 1.

7. Lagavulin

Up 3 places

Having jostled Springbank, Port Ellen and Glenmorangie out of the way, Lagavulin has risen from the ranks to claim seventh place thanks to the excitement of its 200th anniversary year. Much to the delight of Lagavulin lovers, the Islay-based producer launched a 25-year-old expression to recognise the 200-year contribution of its distillery managers, and an eight-year-old whisky in honour of 19th century whisky scribe Alfred Barnard. The market responded favourably, with secondary market prices being as high as £1,050.

6. Glenfiddich

No movement

William Grant & Sons-owned Glenfiddich remains popular amongst collectors. The Dufftown distillery produces vast quantities – meaning supply is no issue – and has retained consumer interest with the launch of a innovative range of whiskies as part of its Experimental Collection, which includes a single malt aged in ex-IPA beer barrels. The brand’s expressions continue to fetch thousands at auction – in October 2016, Glenfiddich’s “oldest and rarest bottling”, which was laid down in 1937, was sold for the record-breaking price of £68,500.

5. Bruichladdich

Down 1 place

Owned by French drinks company Rémy Cointreau, the Islay distillery this year claimed fifth place on RW101’s Collectors’ Index. 2016 was relatively subdued product-wise for Bruichladdie – which released heavily peated single malt Port Charlotte 2007 CC:01 and unpeated single malt The Laddie Eight into the travel retail channel – leading SB to conclude that perhaps while demand is still there, the brand’s competitors shone slightly brighter.

4. Highland Park

Up 1 place

By contrast, Orkney-based distillery Highland Park grabbed 2016 by the horns, completing a two-part series of special edition bottlings that celebrate myths and legends of the Viking age with the launch of its Fire and Ice Editions. The narrative of Highland Park is deeply rooted in Nordic tradition, providing the brand plenty of scope for immersive consumer experiences, such as its Midsummer and Midwinter Social events.

3. Bowmore

No movement

Beam Suntory-owned Bowmore retained a solid third place spot in RW101’s Collectors’ Index, attracting consumers with engaging new releases and witnessing success on the secondary market with historic bottlings. Bowmore was the first recorded distillery on Islay, and as such holds some fascinating liquid – one such example being Black Bowmore 50 Year Old, The Last Cask – the fifth and final edition of its1964 collection, priced at £16,000. At the end of last year the Islay distillery launched the final 50 bottles of its 1961 50 Year Old whisky, priced US$23,000, at the same time as launching a new 50-year-old collection. Just last week, master blender Rachel Barrie announced plans to leave the role after more than five years to join BenRiach Distillery Company.

2. Ardbeg

No movement

LVMH-owned Islay distillery Ardbeg is another non-mover in the Collectors’ Index. No doubt its popularity has something to do with its incredibly loyal fan base – so dedicated that 120,000 people form an Ardbeg Committee, created to “prevent the distillery’s doors ever closing again”. The brand hosts an annual Ardbeg Day, last year releasing limited edition whisky, Dark Cove in celebration, as well as a 21-year-old expression that pays homage to the distillery’s “enduring spirit”. The site ceased production and closed twice throughout its history – in 1981 and 1996 – and is often coveted at auction.

1. Macallan

No movement

Yep, you guessed it – reigning supreme in first place is The Macallan, accounting for almost 10% the market for all bottles sold. The distillery was extremely hot on releases in 2016 – one such example is The Macallan 40 Year Old, the latest in its Sherry Oak Range – and rare bottles dominated auction houses the world over. According to RW101, demand for old, rare, vintage and peerless quality single malt whisky has never been greater. SB can’t see interest wearing thin any time soon – and they’ll certainly have the supply to meet the demand, as work is progressing on The Macallan’s new £100 million distillery in Speyside.

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