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Investment Grade Whiskies: What Actually Appreciates
Investment

Investment Grade Whiskies: What Actually Appreciates

Marcus Vance, Rare Spirits Director · 10 min read

Rarity, closed distilleries, and the quiet power of a great vintage. Where whisky value really comes from.

Rarity beats age

A 40 year old from a large distillery may appreciate slowly. A 21 year old from a silent distillery can multiply, because supply is permanently fixed.

Condition and completeness

Label condition, fill level, original packaging and certificates routinely account for 20-40% of hammer price at auction.

The liquidity question

Whisky is not a liquid asset in the financial sense. Auction cycles take months and commission runs 10-20%. Hold horizons of five years or more are realistic.

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Bottles to put the theory into practice

Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Best Seller-11%

Islay · Scotland

Lagavulin 16 Year Old
★★★★★ 4.9 (528)

16 Years · 43% ABV · 700ml

$139.00 $124.00
Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Best Seller-9%

Suntory Houses · Japan

Hibiki Japanese Harmony
★★★★★ 4.8 (396)

NAS · 43% ABV · 700ml

$149.00 $135.00

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