There are few spirits as well-known and storied as Scotch Whisky. Scotch is renowned for its use of peat smoke in the distilling process, giving some scotch a delightful earthy smokiness that many connoisseurs go goo-goo for. If you’re after really incredible scotch, auctions are one of your best bets to find something truly magnificent, though you have to know how to navigate them. This article will help you become a scotch whisky auction pro so that, when you’re ready to buy your dream bottle at auction, you’ll be well-prepared and ready to pounce.
Scotch Whisky: A Quick Introduction
Let’s start with the fundamentals: what is scotch whisky? Scotch whisky, or simply “scotch”, is a distilled and aged spirit which is produced in Scotland, a constituent country of the United Kingdom. This is the land of William Wallace and Bobby Burns, craggy coasts and grassy highlands. Scotch whisky (spelled without an “e” in Scotland) is one of the best-selling spirits on Earth, making up 93% of global single malt whiskies according to the Scotch Whisky Association.
Scotch is produced in five whisky-producing regions of Scotland: Lowland, Highland, Islay, Campbeltown, and Speyside. Highland and Lowland scotch are the largest regions, making up much of the northern and southern portions of Scotland, respectively. Speyside whisky hails from the banks of the River Spey in the Highlands, producing a different product than the rest of the region. Speyside whiskies are among the most sought after, featuring such famous distilleries as Macallan, Balvenie, and Glenfiddich. Islay is an island off the coast of Scotland, and Campbeltown is located on a peninsula not too far away. All of these regions produce whiskies of note, but certain characteristics are found in specific regions. Islay whisky is usually heavy on peat smoke, producing whisky that can often taste like burnt grass (in the very best of ways). Most other scotch whiskies still have a little peat, but the other regions find a variety of other flavor notes: salt, fruit, vanilla, toffee, and many more tasting notes are frequently mentioned. Typically, these notes are a result of where the whisky is made and what techniques are used in the production and aging of the whisky.
Scotch whisky also generally comes in one of two major types: single malt whisky or blended whisky. Single malts are the product of one type of malted grain and can only be the products of one distillery. Blended scotch is a blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskies, and can be the product of multiple distilleries. Most of the scotch whiskies discussed in this article are single malts as they are typically more collectible, however there are a few well-known (and quite expensive) blended scotch whiskies, including Compass Box and Johnnie Walker.
Famous Scotch Distilleries
Like all famous spirits, there are a few scotch distilleries that are incredibly well-regarded, with a few producing scotch that is incredibly sought-after. Among the most famous are Macallan, Balvenie, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Glenmorangie. Macallan is a Speyside distillery that has been producing scotch since 1824. Macallan produces a variety of scotch whiskies, many of which carry a premium in the market; their Classic Range includes 12 Years Old, 18 Years Old, 25 Years Old, and 30 Years Old Scotch whiskies. The longer whiskies age, the more complex flavors they take on, allowing someone to taste how a whisky develops over time by sampling each of the different expressions. Macallan also produces special editions and limited runs, including their very long-aged Red Collection (at press, offering a 77 Years Old Scotch) and “The Reach” 81 Years Old Scotch. The Reach is among the most expensive scotch whiskies on the planet, retailing for around $250,000. Speyside is also home to Balvenie, whose whiskies are likewise renowned. Their range is incredibly varied, with whiskies aged anywhere between 12 and 60 years.
The two most well-known distilleries on Islay are Lagavulin and Laphroaig, both of which produce delightfully smoky, peaty scotch. Lagavulin is most famous for their 16 Years Old Scotch, the favorite of Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson. Nick Offerman, the actor who played Ron, is also a huge fan of Lagavulin and even collaborated on an 11 Years Old Scotch with the distillery. Laphroaig produces a variety of whiskies, from their flagship 10 Years Old to their special edition Càirdeas expressions and even their 30 and 33 Years Old Scotch. Islay scotch is not for the faint of heart, but, if you’re a fan, you’re a fan.
The Highlands is home to a number of distilleries, of which the most famous is probably Glenmorangie. Glenmorangie’s range, with their sinuous and smart bottles, is well-varied with tasting notes including vanilla, orange, honey, and even mocha. Their Original Scotch Whisky is aged 10 years, but other expressions are aged as long as 25 years. They frequently collaborate with artists and experiment with barrels in diverse woods to create new and exciting flavors, perfect for the collector.
Scotch Whisky Auctions
Now that you know a bit more about scotch whisky, we can talk about scotch whisky auctions. While Good Bottle Auctions often has auctions that have a mix of whiskies from around the world, a good number of the bottles are almost always scotch. Since scotch whisky is such a huge part of the global whiskey trade, this is hardly surprising. Thus, Good Bottle Auctions often has a significant spread of scotch for sale during our auctions, and has a bottle to suit just about every taste. And, unlike a liquor store, we see a great variety of scotch whiskies come through our door and we are not limited by what we can receive from a given distributor. Thus, you the buyer have a better selection of rare and fine scotch whiskies at your fingertips.
When choosing a scotch whisky to bid on during an auction, you should consider a few things. First, you should take into account what kinds of scotch you like. Generally speaking, which region’s whiskies most please your palate? If you are unsure which scotch to pick, try a single malt from each region to see what you like. If you love strong flavors and like to sit close to a campfire, Islay’s heavily peated whiskies are probably for you. If you are a fan of more refined, delicate flavors, we would recommend a Highland or a Speyside.
A second factor to consider is the distiller or (in the case of blended scotch) the blender. Well-known distilleries like Macallan, Laphroaig, and Glenmorangie are always a good bet for the bidder looking for an impressive and delightful bottle to bid on. The same advice goes for blended scotch: a bottle of Compass Box, for instance, will always be an excellent blend, but you have to know what you like, as they blend whiskies from all five regions together. Johnnie Walker is also always a great bottle to buy, and their products are very smooth-drinking.
As in many places, there is a revival of distilling in Scotland and there are new distilleries popping up. Some of these distilleries or new blend brands are putting out exciting new whiskies for every scotch-drinker’s palate. So, do not be afraid to try a scotch from a craft distillery! In addition, fans of scotch should also explore the whiskies of Japan. Many Japanese whiskies are crafted with techniques similar to those utilized in Highland scotch and there are incredible similarities between the Scottish Highlands and the upper reaches of the Japanese archipelago.
Finally, you should keep a price point in mind. Excellent scotch exists at nearly every price point, from bottles under $50 to those that go for thousands. Generally speaking, scotch that is aged for longer is sold for more money, as the flavors have more time to develop and mellow, and there is less available than a younger expression. While a $300 scotch will taste better than a $50 bottle, this does not mean that the $50 bottle is less worth buying and, depending on your personal palate, may be more enjoyable to you personally. For instance, those who like very peaty scotch will typically prefer younger (and therefore cheaper) bottles of Islay scotch than older bottles, as the smokiness mellows with age. However, if you have the ability, the palate, and the funds to spend, purchasing an “investment bottle” might be a good idea. That way, you can purchase a fine bottle of scotch, with the option of holding onto it to see if it appreciates in value or drinking a very pleasant dram.
The Bottom Line
If you’re in the market for scotch and don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. At Good Bottle Auctions, we ensure that you, the buyer, is as educated on what you’re buying as you can be. We want you to enjoy your purchase, preferably neat (though some [the author included] like their wee dram with a cube of ice). This means that we will go the extra mile to make sure you know what you’re buying. An educated scotch buyer is a good scotch buyer, as well as a repeat customer.
If you’re interested in winning scotch at auction, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us here; we look forward to working with you!
Work Cited:
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/discover-scotch/enjoying-scotch/scotch-whisky-regions
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/campbeltown-p235331
https://www.themacallan.com/en-us/about
https://www.themacallan.com/en-us/single-malt-scotch-whisky
https://www.malts.com/en-gb/lagavulin-shop
https://www.laphroaig.com/en-gb/whiskies
https://www.thebalvenie.com/en-us/our-whisky-collection
