South African whisky collectors are drawn to brands for their authenticity, heritage and quality.
The global collectible whisky market has seen significant growth, with South Africa emerging as a key market.
The global market grew by more than 23% last year, driven largely by premium single malts.
Rare whiskies
In South Africa, the trend mirrors the global phenomenon, with a 15% year-on-year increase in demand for rare Scottish whiskies as both investments and luxury lifestyle choices.
In the world of rare whiskies, their reputation is justified, not only because of their flavour profiles but also because of their scarcity and investment potential.
South African whisky collectors are drawn to brands for their authenticity, heritage and quality.
The Balvenie Doublewood is a 12-year-old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two wood types.
Over the period of maturation, it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first filled European oak sherry cask.
The taste is smooth and mellow with beautifully combined nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.
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Rare whisky investment
Investing in rare whisky can be a profitable venture, with some bottles appreciating significantly over time.
According to data from the Whisky Auctioneer, rare whiskies have consistently outperformed traditional investment assets, such as bonds and stocks.
Here are the average annual returns on investment in whisky in South Africa:
- 2018: 12.5%;
- 2019: 14.1%;
- 2020: 16.2%;
- 2021: 17.5%; and
- 2022: 19.1%.
When investing in rare whisky, Lifa Bakana, senior brand manager at Edward Snell & Co says it’s essential to consider the following factors to ensure a solid return on investment:
- Volume: Whiskies that have limited volumes appreciate faster – the more the whiskies are consumed the scarcer they become making those that are still in circulation more sought after.
- Provenance: Whiskies produced by reputable distilleries and known for their long-standing quality whisky production tend to appreciate over time, making the older variants widely coveted.
- Limited releases: As a result of limited stock available and the fact that they are released only once contributes to their increase in worth.
- Age: Older whiskies that have spent longer in a cask are likely to gain more value. With 1-2% of the remaining liquid lost to angel’s share every year, a cask by way of example with a 12-year-old whisky in it has more liquid when pulled from the cask and is likely to be about 70-80% full.
Balvenie’s limited edition bottlings
A cask containing whisky that has been aged for 50 years might have less than 40% of the cask remaining, limiting the amount available and concentrating the flavour compounds.
“With its long history of craftsmanship and commitment to traditional whisky-making methods, The Balvenie offers a unique blend of quality and consistency,” he adds.
“The Balvenie’s limited edition bottlings, such as the 50-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, are highly sought after by connoisseurs and investors alike.”
The Balvenie has gained recognition for its excellent craftsmanship and exclusivity.
The brand is beloved for its limited editions and dedication to traditional whisky-making methods.
The Balvenie continues to dominate the collectible spirits market, offering connoisseurs a taste of luxury.
Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie recently named in the top 50 most influential people in Britain, says the Balvenie distillery’s commitment to the Five Rare Crafts – traditional malting, in-house copper smithing, expert distillation, and the expertise of a resident cooper is what sets it apart The Balvenie 12-, 14- and 21-year-old expressions are available at leading liquor outlets in South Africa from R1 300 a bottle.
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