Analysis of whisky auctions — where it is better to buy and where to sell

Whisky collectors or investors often have the question of which whisky auction is the best place to buy whisky or where to sell it for the best possible profit.

For our users, this question is no longer a difficult one. You can analyse the sales history of the auctions and determine where it was most profitable to sell and where to buy, taking into account all the commissions.

And you can see where the whisky you’re interested in was sold or bought more profitably. Read more on the blog post.

Whisky auction analysis is just one of the numerous features of our service.

We look forward to seeing you among Whisky Hunter customers!

Benromach 12 Year Old
Single Cask

Selected exclusively for the United Kingdom market a single cask 2009 vintage from Benromach Distillery. Matured in first fill bourbon barrel #723 yielding just 240 bottles at 58.5%. Distilled 7th September 2009 and bottled 24th November 2021. Sweet notes of rich apple, tropical fruit and honey, followed by light vanilla and soft smoke. Benromach 12 Year Old 2009 vintage single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill bourbon barrel #723 bottled November 2021 exclusively for the United Kingdom market. Benromach 12 Year Old 2009 vintage single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill bourbon barrel #723 bottled November 2021 exclusively for the United Kingdom market.

Buy – Benromach 12yr Single Cask – £78.14 | €78* | u$89 | c$112

Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whisky region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerus periods of closure, it was purchased in 1993 by Gordon & MacPhail who charged up its single pair of stills in 1998 and have nurtured Benromach ever since. Striking new labelling combined with an increasing range of single malts is forging a very popular brand of single malt whiskies which includes Benromach Organic, Benromach Peatsmoke and Benromach 10 Year Old.

Kirin Fuji Japanese Single Grain Whisky (750ml) ($94.99)

K&L Notes: Produced by the Japanese brewing giant Kirin in the Fuji Gotemba distillery situated on the southeastern side of Mt. Fuji, this single-grain whisky is Kirin’s entry into the U.S. market. The distillery houses an unusual still setup. They have pot stills in addition to a column/doubler setup similar to what you’d see in Kentucky, allowing them to produce a wide range of styles in one facility. By having multiple types of distillate at their disposal, the facility can produce a complex single grain. The end result is a grain whisky that offers a wider range of flavors, weights, and textures than you’re likely to find in any Scottish single grain that has been produced to simply bulk out single malt when making blended Scotch. If you’ve loved Nikka’s Single Grain in the past, this whisky is for you.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 18, 2022

Japanese whisky is one of the most complicated categories in the spirits world thanks to lax regulation on how things are labeled and a plethora of less-than-scrupulous actors hoping to make a quick buck. However, the fact remains that there are a number of extraordinarily high-quality producers of spirits in Japan who are committed to delivering nothing but the best. The Kirin Fuji Gotemba distillery is one such producer. It has been in operation since 1973 and quietly produced excellent spirits in a variety of styles for many years. The distillery makes both grain and malt distillates on a number of different still setups giving them tremendous flexibility. The new release under the Kirin Fuji label is a Japanese single grain that rivals the best grain whiskies we’ve ever bottled from Scotland. Bottled at 46% ABV, it is a miraculous combination of sweet and spicy. It’s a lovely rose gold color in the glass and gives rich vanilla barrel notes on the nose. Sweet stone fruit mixes with cinnamon and fresh ginger root. The nose also presents a distinct wood profile that shows there is some significant time in barrel, although we are lacking an age statement. The palate is soft and supple. Fresh fruits dipped in whipped cream and drizzled in maple syrup come to mind. There is a whiff of cocoa. On the backend, more spice comes out. Nutmeg, cinnamon, rye grass, ginger snap cookies, and a lengthy profile of sweet wood seems to linger for minutes. It’s an impressive showing for the first U.S. import under this label and a welcome addition to the Japanese portfolio at K&L.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 05, 2022

Many people are rightfully skeptical of new Japanese whisky. Indeed, there are so many fake and/or low-quality products on the market, the industry has collectively agreed to stop the obfuscation that has led to multitude of sub-par “Japanese” whiskies. But ultimately the great distillers of Japan make exceptional whisky across the board, even when they might blend in a bit of Scotch. The few distillers that do release Japanese-distilled whisky are often times extremely hard to get. There are several famous names that were once very available that are now ultra-allocated. One of the saddest departures from regular appearance on our shelves is the wonderful Nikka Coffey Grain whisky. That lovely, high-quality grain whisky was many drinkers’ introduction to the category. Now, we have very little non-imported grain available, and most are usually made using sochu-style methods. That’s where this excellent whisky comes in. The Fuji Gotemba distillery has long been prized in Japan thanks to it’s high-quality techniques and pure water source. Located at the base of Mt Fuji, the label has rebranded for the release of this highly anticipated grain and is known simply as Fuji. What’s most striking about this product is simply how overtly delicious it is. Not as wood-driven or nutty as the Nikka Coffey, but with much more texture or character than any Scottish grain, it’s simply a wonderful thing to have in your glass. Let’s taste it! The color is yellow gold. Immediately, a pungent basket of fresh ripe stone and citrus fruit. Subtle, nutty character and hints of both vanilla and cinnamon. The entry is honeyed and very sweet before adding some baking spice, gingersnap cookies, fresh biscuits, and a touch of licorice bark. It’s so easy to drink, but not at all boring or monodimensional. An excellent choice for anyone looking to try something new in the category or trying to fill a Coffey Grain-shaped hole in your heart.

Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Gift Set
18 unique whiskies aged for 18 years – celebrate the next 18 years together with this dram!

£87.00
£81.50
buy now

Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Gift Set Description

Gordon & McPhail GlenAllachie 13 Years

Matured in single refill hogshead distilled 2008. Oranges, apples and toasted almond flavours.

£64.58

Shop GlenAllachie 13 Years »

Glenallachie 13 Year Old Old 2008 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill American hogshead #900122 bottled June 2021 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series. 411 bottles. Seville orange peel aromas lead to ripe green apple and Brazil nut. Citrus zest flavours combine with desiccated coconut and a soft vanilla pod. A smooth and long finish of toasted almonds.

Glenallachie Distillery is a Speyside distillery sitting on the eastern edge of Ben Rinnes mountain where it is rather exposed to the elements and is often to be see sitting within the snowline. A modern building and its architect William Delmé-Evans created a distillery which is rather pleasing on the eye. Glenallachie was commissioned in 1967 with two stills which increased to four in 1989 in order to meet blenders ever increasing demand for Glenallachie malt whisky. Whilst official releases are few independent releases are more numerous with those from Signatory Vintage and Cadenheads proving popular.

ralfy review 914 – Port Charlotte 10yo @50%vol: (2022)

Local apprentices employed at The Cairn Distillery site

Eleven apprentices have had the chance to learn their trade on the construction site for The Cairn Distillery near Grantown-on-Spey.

Gordon & MacPhail, the Elgin based family firm behind the new distillery, committed to employing as many local firms as possible during construction. With more than 90% of work going to local companies, this approach has helped to create a number of opportunities for local apprentices.

Ewen Mackintosh Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail commented “We have a strong commitment to our local communities. We wanted to ensure the building of The Cairn helped boost the local economy and we’re really pleased this has involved supporting young people to pursue apprenticeships.”

The main contractor, Morrison Construction, has employed four joinery apprentices during the construction period, including one who completed their apprenticeship in November. EJ Parker Technical Services had three electrical apprentices on site working on the electrical installation and plumbing, heating, and ventilation. A further two apprentice stone masons have been employed by AB Masonry at The Cairn. A mechanical engineer apprentice and an electrical apprentice were also employed by Forsyths, who manufactured the distilling equipment at their workshops in Rothes and Elgin before installing it on site.

The Cairn Distillery is due to open to visitors in the summer of 2022 and will offer a range of immersive visitor experiences, whisky tastings and a bistro with a menu shaped by ingredients from the local area.

This will be the second distillery for Scotch malt whisky experts Gordon & MacPhail who bought and re-equipped Benromach Distillery at Forres in the 1990s.

Gordon & MacPhail’s ongoing commitment to local business was demonstrated last year with the news that more than 90% of the £20m investment in The Cairn Distillery near Grantown-on-Spey had been awarded to firms in the North of Scotland.

Olivia McGillivray, one of Morrison Construction’s apprentices, on site at The Cairn Distillery

L-R Olivia McGillivray and Scott Murray, two of Morrison Construction’s apprentices on site at The Cairn Distillery

Notes 

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

Work commenced in July 2020 on The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 125 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.

We wanted to give you a quick update about what’s happening at Sotheby’s – both now and in the pipeline. We closed 2021 with sales of Spirits totalling $21 million, and 2022 looks set to be an equally exciting year.

Currently open for bidding (until 18th February) is Whisky | Asian Spirits featuring The Three Continents Collection Part II, Sotheby’s first ever spirits sale consisting of only Asian Spirits. It is made up of bottles from The Three Continents Collection Part II, (The first part of The Three Continents Collection – which numbers some 5,000 bottles of Scotch, Japanese and American bottles in total – debuted at auction in December 2021, selling for two times its low estimate.)

The sale also sees bottlings of Karuizawa dating from 1980 all the way through to 2000, the year in which the distillery closed, as well as a handful of non-vintage bottlings, alongside a number of rare Hanyu bottlings. Last but not least, the very best of both the Suntory and Nikka portfolios are on offer, with sought after single bottles and the opportunity to bid on full cases of six and twelve bottles across several price brackets.

Demand for US whiskey seems to have grown significantly over the last year. Next month will see Sotheby’s increasing its American Whiskey offerings significantly, further to our first American Whiskey Single Owner auction in New York in April 2021 with The Thoroughbred Collection, which comprised rare Bourbon and Ryes from one dedicated enthusiast. The sale total achieved more than 300% of its low estimate at just shy of $1 million, and set a new benchmark for what the future of Whiskey auctions will look like.

On March 19th in New York we will host a US Whiskey-only auction featuring two significant collections. The first: American Muscle, a collection accrued over the last 10 years by one of California’s most renowned Muscle Car drivers featuring a significant selection of Willett, Four Roses and Van Winkle. The second: The Three Continents Collection Part III (containing just US Whiskeys).

Looking ahead, we will be holding a sale of Spirits as part of our Spring series of auctions in Hong Kong in April, and beyond that on the horizon, a sale of Asian spirits in May and Scotch Whisky in June, both in London.

Whisky  | Asian Spirits featuring The Three Continents Collection Part II, New York, 2 – 18 February

American Muscle | Rare Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye, New York, 19 March

With Deanston Master Distiller, Brendan McCarron

Tickets on sale now

Tuesday 22 February 2022
7.30pm-10.00pm
£35
Limited Spaces

Tickets on sale now

Book now

There is a reason this distillery won our coveted title “Whisky Of The Year” and now we get to show you why. Join host and Master Distiller of Deanston, Brendan McCarron, as he guides you on an unparalleled journey through the Deanston portfolio.

This tasting offers you the opportunity to delve into some of the core whiskies in the Deanston range so you can experience exactly what makes them the true embodiment of this iconic distillery. And what’s more, you’ll have the exclusive opportunity to taste coveted cask samples that have never been tried before!

Join us for the evening to taste these stand-out whiskies and learn the story of Deanston from the very man who creates each and every one.

THE LINE UP

Deanston Virgin Oak
Deanston 18 Year Old
Deanston 2013 Organic Fino Finish Bot.2020 Union Exclusive
Deanston Organic Cask Sample
Deanston 20 Year Old, Manzanilla Cask
Deanston 25 Year Old Ex-Bourbon & Oloroso Sherry Cask Sample

“The entire line-up is a variety of very special samples to show the range and diversity of Deanston’s waxy spirit, with the cask samples being particularly exquisite. They are genuinely single cask, never before seen one of a kind samples just for this tasting. “

Brendan McCarron, Master Distiller, Deanston Distillery

TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2022
7.30PM-10.00PM

£35

Tickets on sale now

BOOK NOW

Book now

The exceptional GlenDronach 50 Year Old has arrived…

This rare expression was distilled in 1971 and filled to Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks from the bodegas of Jerez, Andalucia. Left to mature quietly in The GlenDronach dunnage warehouses for half a century, this Speyside single malt represents a milestone achievement in the near 200-year history of the distillery.

Register Your Interest→

The Glendronach 50 Year Old

£POA

Personally selected by Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie, this limited edition release is the first ever 50-year-old expression from the distillery. Just 198 individually numbered bottles have been produced, each one presented at a natural cask strength of 43.8% abv.

Discover more about the release at our blog → 

The GlenDronach
50 Year Old

The nose is rich and seductive with layers of dark cherry, plum and smouldering tobacco, with light notes of bramble, orange and cranberry. The palate has dense notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and cocoa, countered by elegant plum, black cherry and velvety espresso.

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Your Interest