Aged to Perfection – The Ten Best Spirits to Invest In

Wine, whisky, and fine spirits like them have often sought after for their high value, storied pasts, and the price they can fetch for selling them back. They are assets that need to be handled correctly to get you back more than what you paid for.

But assuming you have all that handled and are just looking to add to your collection, chances are that wine and whisky bidding alone isn’t getting you the results you need. You have to know the kind of spirits that fetch a pretty penny before you put your money in the wrong one.

 

The Scotch Most Sought After

Investing in spirits and alcohol bottles can be an interesting venture, but it’s important to note that the market can be unpredictable. That being said, some bottles have gained popularity among collectors and investors, where their history and popularity drive their price just as much as their age and rarity.

 

Macallan 1926 Peter Blake Edition

The Macallan 1926 Peter Blake Edition is a highly coveted and rare Scotch whisky. It is part of The Macallan’s renowned Fine & Rare Collection, which features some of the distillery’s oldest and most exceptional whiskies.

What makes the 1926 Peter Blake Edition particularly special is its unique label design, created by Sir Peter Blake, a prominent British pop artist. His collaboration with The Macallan adds an artistic and collectible dimension to an already exceptional whisky.

The scotch itself is celebrated for its rarity and age. Distilled in 1926 and aged for over six decades, the whisky is a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of The Macallan distillery, a legendary name in its own right.

In 2019, a few bottles of the Macallan 1926 Peter Blake Edition were released, and they have fetched record-breaking prices at auctions, going up to 1.2 million pounds! The rarity of this edition and its association with both The Macallan’s prestigious history and collaboration contributes to its allure among whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike.

 

Dalmore 62-Year-Old Single Malt

The Dalmore 62-Year-Old Single Malt is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Scotch whisky known for its age, limited availability, and exceptional quality. It was distilled in 1868, making it one of the oldest single-malt whiskies ever released. It was bottled in 2011. Only 12 bottles of the Dalmore 62-Year-Old were ever produced, adding to its exclusivity and desirability among collectors.

Even in showcases, the whisky is presented in a stunning crystal decanter adorned with sterling silver and is housed in an elegant wooden case. The packaging reflects the luxurious nature of the whisky within, known for its rich and complex flavor profile, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, exotic spices, and hints of tropical fruits. The long maturation period contributes to the depth and complexity of its taste.

Due to its rarity and prestige, the Dalmore has set records at auctions, with individual bottles fetching incredibly high prices. In 2011, a bottle sold for over £125,000, and subsequent sales have seen even higher prices. Now, anyone looking to buy whiskey online should consider shelling out at least a quarter million! It is considered a true collector’s item, sought after by whisky enthusiasts and investors alike. Its limited availability and historical significance contribute to its status as one of the most iconic and valuable whiskies in the world.

 

A Few Honorable Mentions

This list is in no particular order, and these are our picks for some of the most investible liquor items, so here are a few additional honorable mentions to go with it!

• The Glenfiddich 1937 is another rare and vintage Scotch whisky that can fetch a high price at auctions. While you can find these at around £150k at auctions, a 1950s collection bottle broke records by selling at £1.4m in 2021. However, as investments go, we are looking for safer, long-term bets.

• Next on the list is Balvenie 50-Year-Old Single Malt, a rare and limited Scotch whisky with a long maturation period. Its dark fruits and tangy citrus notes give it a unique sweetness, especially when that taste is enhanced with some brown sugar! But you’re not here for the taste! This whisky has been steadily increasing in price since being released, so we would recommend keeping an eye on this one.

• The final scotch whisky is the Bowmore 1957, an Islay single malt with limited releases that has become highly sought after. Aged for over 50 years, this was bottled in 2012, becoming the oldest single-malt ever. Its rarity could give it some exciting notes of future value with a hint of a rare price!

 

Newcomers and Old Reliables

Scottish whisky-making is one of the oldest traditions, and their distilleries have been around for the longest. However, bourbon is a class of its own and deserves a popular yet rare name in the form of the Pappy Van Winkle! Even the rising Japanese whisky is making an appearance in the highly-sought selections!

 

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-Year-Old

This is a highly regarded bourbon and the scarcity of these bottles has driven up their value. Making them takes tons of information and knowledge obtained from years and generations of distillation experience being passed down. It is a bourbon meant to be enjoyed in its truest form, neat, and without any dilution. Their uniquely difficult distillation process makes these rare bottles even more in value than they are currently worth, so they could fetch a great price in a few years.

 

Yamazaki 50-Year-Old

It is about time that something other than rare Scottish liquors or American bourbons entered the race! It is a rare and aged Japanese whisky that has gained international acclaim. The Yamazaki distillery is considered Japan’s oldest whisky distillery, and the release of a 50-year-old bottle showcases the distillery’s commitment to time-honored craftsmanship and the art of whisky aging.

Of course, with the rising popularity of Japanese whisky, it is sure to fetch a few golden doubloons when the bottles themselves are very rare to begin with!

 

Fine Wine and Spirits

There is nothing that distills the essence of all things luxury like wine, pun intended! It brings class and sophistication to the drink, along with a deliberately expensive and equally sophisticated process to make it! 

 

Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac

A luxurious cognac with a distinctive decanter design, the Louis XIII Black Pearl is known for its exceptional age, with the cognac in the blend ranging from 40 to 100 years old. It is a meticulously crafted blend of eaux-de-vie (grape spirits) sourced from the Grande Champagne region, known for producing some of the finest cognacs.

It is presented in a distinctive decanter made of black crystal, contributing to its unique and elegant appearance. The decanter is a work of art, reflecting the luxury and sophistication associated with Louis XIII. That level of prestige alone is sure to make any wine enthusiast pay top dollar if you’re looking to invest in it.

 

Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Jeroboam

A large-format champagne bottle that has gained popularity among collectors. Armand de Brignac, often colloquially referred to as the “Ace of Spades,” is a luxury Champagne brand known for its high-quality, handcrafted cuvées. It is a fancy word for a wine container, but you can be sure that anything using that sophisticated language is sure to be priced as such, too.

The Jeroboam is adorned with the distinctive metallic gold coating that has become synonymous with Armand de Brignac. The label features the brand’s signature Ace of Spades logo, adding to the visual appeal. Of course, the brand alone is not what carries the spirit, but you can rest assured that its rarity does bring prolonged value.

 

A Long-Term Game

 

From the winery and distillery to the storage locker where all the expensive bottles are kept, these spirits take their long, protracted journey. It is, of course, costly to maintain, too, so keep in mind that the value of these bottles comes with its own caveats, and that any long-term investment needs to be kept in ideal conditions to fetch its initial price and then some.