Scotch Whisky

Welcome to the second edition of Scotch Whisky, the annual publication from the team behind Whisky Magazine. On these pages, we have curated a collection of key stories from the world of Scotch whisky that provide a thorough overview of where things stand. We begin with some advice on building a collection, with a guide on how to win at whisky auctions and ensure that you're only adding authentic bottles to your shelves. The auction side of the whisky business has exploded during the past decade, and there are pros and cons to working with different auction houses. Our guide helps demystify this confusing area, and following its advice will ensure you're feeling confident when the time comes to bid. Next, we've delved into the murky world of cask investment. As…

Welcome to the second edition of Scotch Whisky, the annual publication from the team behind Whisky Magazine. On these pages, we have curated a collection of key stories from the world of Scotch whisky that provide a thorough overview of where things stand. We begin with some advice on building a collection, with a guide on how to win at whisky auctions and ensure that you're only adding authentic bottles to your shelves. The auction side of the whisky business has exploded during the past decade, and there are pros and cons to working with different auction houses. Our guide helps demystify this confusing area, and following its advice will ensure you're feeling confident when the time comes to bid. Next, we've delved into the murky world of cask investment.…

I’ve often joked with friends that there’s no such thing as a whisky collection growing too big, only a house that’s grown too small. I’m sure many of you know the feeling: every cupboard full to bursting, each shelf groaning under the weight of glass and liquid, miniatures in every drawer – I pity the disorganised whisky lover who also craves a minimalist aesthetic in their home. In fact, it’s exactly the act of organisation, consideration and planning that I feel separates my own explosion of whiskies, which resembles a tragic accident at a bottling hall, from true ‘collections.’ Even those collections which develop organically seem to grow with some sort of goal (of which the collector may not be consciously aware) that in time delivers a degree of aesthetic and…

I’ve often joked with friends that there’s no such thing as a whisky collection growing too big, only a house that’s grown too small. I’m sure many of you know the feeling: every cupboard full to bursting, each shelf groaning under the weight of glass and liquid, miniatures in every drawer – I pity the disorganised whisky lover who also craves a minimalist aesthetic in their home. In fact, it’s exactly the act of organisation, consideration and planning that I feel separates my own explosion of whiskies, which resembles a tragic accident at a bottling hall, from true ‘collections.’ Even those collections which develop organically seem to grow with some sort of goal (of which the collector may not be consciously aware) that in time delivers a degree of aesthetic…

The trading of whisky has become such big business that long-established UK auctioneering names such as Bonhams, Christie’s and Sotheby’s now host dedicated whisky sales in a variety of locations around the world, including the USA, Hong Kong and Dubai, while the number of dedicated online whisky auction houses has proliferated to a remarkable degree during the past decade. By nature of their specialisation, these houses have largely succeeded in concentrating vintage whisky knowledge within their teams, while also tapping into whisky communities to highlight upcoming sales and achieve higher hammer prices. What’s more, high-profile and widely marketed auctions of large private collections, such as Richard Gooding’s ‘Perfect Collection’, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection and Emmanuel Dron’s collection of rare Samaroli and Corti Brothers whiskies (all brought to auction by Perthshire-based Whisky…

The trading of whisky has become such big business that long-established UK auctioneering names such as Bonhams, Christie’s and Sotheby’s now host dedicated whisky sales in a variety of locations around the world, including the USA, Hong Kong and Dubai, while the number of dedicated online whisky auction houses has proliferated to a remarkable degree during the past decade. By nature of their specialisation, these houses have largely succeeded in concentrating vintage whisky knowledge within their teams, while also tapping into whisky communities to highlight upcoming sales and achieve higher hammer prices. What’s more, high-profile and widely marketed auctions of large private collections, such as Richard Gooding’s ‘Perfect Collection’, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection and Emmanuel Dron’s collection of rare Samaroli and Corti Brothers whiskies (all brought to auction by Perthshire-based Whisky Auctioneer),…