A proper sherried malt is a beautiful thing to behold. Burgundy liquid brimming with the richness of over-ripened stone fruit, it balances aromatic intensity against structural nuance. While a seasoned whisky enthusiast might count one as the ultimate dram, savvy investors see it as an ideal asset. The Macallan 25—a bottle exhibiting all of the aforementioned attributes—retailed for $900 in 2013. Today, you won’t find it for under $2,000.
Rare whisky has outperformed every other luxury asset, including fine wine, soaring some 564% in the last decade, according to the Knight Frank 2020 Wealth Report. Rising demand from Asian investors has led to marquee auctions—and even cyberattacks—regarding bottles that were expected to top $2 million.
The Scotch whisky market isn’t the only one susceptible to the surge. For the better part of the 21st century, the price of virtually all aged spirit has soared. As a result, even some wealth funds and indices comprising exclusively distilled liquid commodities promise average returns of 12% to 15% per annum.
Ultimately, all the juice is meant to be enjoyed. Whether you’re just getting into the whiskey game or are a veteran collector, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to decide whether the latest limited release at your local bottle shop is worth sipping now or saving for later.
The obvious answer is to do both. Sneaker heads refer to the behavior as buying “one to stock and one to rock.” For the booze hounds out there, I humbly offer: “Store it or pour it.”
The exceptional liquids below constitute some of the highest quality liquids to hit the market over the past several years. They encompass a wide range of regions—from unexpected bourbons to decades-old Scotch to new world Indian malt—a broad spectrum of spirits to create a collection with a story worth showing and with a value expected to keep growing. Prices listed are retail, although they can vary widely, especially for the more limited releases.
Assuming you can procure only a single example of each, let’s take a look at whether or not it’s best to keep a cork in ’em—for now.
Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt ($70)
This elegant bottling helped put Indian single malt on the map when it debuted in 2009. Today, it remains the gold standard of the style. The name derives from its production specs: a joining of Indian malt with peated malt from Scotland, forming a robust and smoky liquid that lingers on the palate well beyond each sip. It’s a great conversation piece on the back bar—and an even better value at under $75. Verdict: Pour It
Town Branch Cask Strength Single Malt ($100)
Although this distillery has been based in Lexington, Ky., since 2008, its giraffe-like copper pot stills came straight out of Scotland. The liquid held herein was among the first to hit the barrel—freshly decanted Oloroso Sherry casks—where it slumbered for 11 years. What emerged is characterized by decadent notes of dates and dark chocolate. With only 3,000 bottles in circulation, it’s likely to see a surge in value in the years ahead. Verdict: Store It
Waterford Single Farm Origin: Rathclogh Edition 1.1 Irish Whiskey ($100)
Whisky giant Mark Reynier—the man who helped revitalize Bruichladdich scotch—has set sight on the Emerald Isle. His efforts have resulted in a super terroir-driven single malt that showcases the superiority of the barley at its core, with all grain grown and harvested from a singular farm. It arrives on U.S. shores with this offering: a 100-proof butterscotch bomb. It’s a joy to drink, sure. But the first edition in any intended series typically appreciates best, particularly when said series takes off, as Waterford is poised to do in the months ahead. Verdict: Store It