If you want to delve into the world of rare whiskies, you've come to the right place. We explain what makes whiskies rare and introduce the top 10
When is a whisky considered rare?
Rare whiskies are bottlings of special value, with the collector's aspect and the potential for an increase in value being paramount. A whisky can gain collector's value due to many factors, but this primarily depends on the rarity of the bottling. However, other factors can also indicate a special value and define a rare whisky. The most important include:
- Special Vintage: Older and long-aged whiskies, in particular, become rarities.
- Specific Bottling Series: Many distilleries release special series that are characterized by a unique feature, such as a special recipe.
- Limited Edition Bottlings: Rare whiskies are often considered rarities.
- Condition of the Bottle and Packaging: For older to very old examples, the condition of the label, the bottle, and possibly the box also determines whether a whisky is considered rare.
- Distillery: Some distilleries are particularly valued by collectors, especially those that are no longer operating and thus not releasing new bottles.
What is the difference between rare whiskies and limited editions?
In short: limited edition whisky can be a rare whisky, but doesn't have to be, and a rare whisky can be a limited edition whisky, but doesn't have to be. All clear, right? Okay, let's start over. A limited edition whisky is a whisky that is only produced in a certain quantity. This aspect of rarity certainly predisposes it to become a rare whisky, but a limited edition whisky that is, say, bottled 1000 times but no collector is interested in, is not generally considered a rarity. But, of course, many rare whiskies are limited editions.
Top 10 Rare Whiskies
Now let's take a closer look at some of the best examples among the rare whisky gems. Here are our top 10 rare whiskies.
Arbikie HIGHLAND RYE 1794 Single Grain Scotch Whisky Release 2020
The Arbikie distillery is run by a family of farmers who have been cultivating fields since 1660. Whisky was first distilled on their farm in 1794, and in 2013, the Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery was finally founded. With the HIGHLAND RYE 1794 Single Grain Scotch, they returned to the traditional "farm to bottle" distillation, where as many production steps as possible take place on the distillery's premises. The barley is grown in their own fields, and the water comes from their own spring in an underground lagoon. Regionally and sustainably produced products are very much in tune with the times, but the aroma and taste of the HIGHLAND RYE 1794 are timeless: spicy, earthy caramel notes delight the nose, before an equally spicy-sweet taste of honey, cinnamon, and allspice promises a long-lasting pleasure experience.
Edradour Ballechin 10 Years Old
The Edradour Distillery is the last remaining of a group of farm distilleries called Ballechin in the Scottish Highlands, which was founded in 1810. The Edradour Ballechin 10 Years Old is a heavily peated malt that matured for 10 years in a former Burgundy cask. As a result - and due to its unique taste - this is a highly sought-after rare whisky, captivating with aromas of peat, fruit, caramel, and cinnamon. So much for its uniqueness, which is particularly evident in the finish. Long-lasting notes of peat, toffee, and oak make this whisky a special individual among rare malts.
Douglas Laing THE EPICUREAN Lowland Blended Malt CASK STRENGTH Edinburgh Edition
THE EPICUREAN by Douglas Laing is a Scotch Malt Whisky for true connoisseurs. The name harks back to Epicureanism, a philosophical school of thought from ancient Greece that declared pleasure to be the highest good. However, this whisky is meant to honor the outstanding personalities from Glasgow's party scene of the 1930s. Indeed, this Lowland Malt Whisky from the renowned Douglas Laing distillery is hedonism bottled. The nose of the modern whisky dandy can identify spicy sweetness in combination with the acidity of green apples and citrus fruits, which also define the wonderfully complex taste that nevertheless meets the palate in absolute harmony. This whisky is limited to 600 bottles worldwide and is thus a particularly rare desire of pleasure.
Jack Daniel's 120th Anniversary of the WHITE RABBIT SALOON Special Edition
An American whiskey has also made it into our top 10. Jack Daniel's is arguably the most famous whiskey brand from the USA and also one of the oldest. Jack Daniel's has been produced since 1866. In 1892, the White Rabbit Saloon, the world's first bar to serve Jack Daniel's, opened in Lynchburg. This whiskey was produced in honor of this saloon, which makes it truly special. Not only historically, but also in taste: spicy, peppery aromas of corn on the cob and coffee meet honey-sweet vanilla and butter notes. The aroma is similarly complex, further complemented by roasted notes, as well as hints of tobacco, gingerbread, wood, and bananas. It has never been easier to follow the White Rabbit.
Glenglassaugh 9 Years Old RARE CASK RELEASE 2012 PX Puncheon Batch
The Glenglassaugh distillery has a turbulent history, having been closed and reopened several times. In 2008, the distillery's most recent reopening took place, on which occasion the Coastal Cask Series was launched, a collection of ten unique casks. The 2012 PX Puncheon Batch presented here is an individually hand-numbered single-cask bottling from a Pedro Ximenez puncheon cask, a former sherry cask. It is limited to 680 bottles worldwide. This coastal Highland whisky delights the olfactory receptors with fruity notes of pears, berries, candied limes, and beeswax, and warms the palate with mineral hints of tropical fruits, sea salt, and pralines upon tasting. This very young rarity (bottled in 2021) certainly has a bright future ahead of it.
The Temple Bar 14 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Malbec Cask
Of course, there are also real rarities among Irish whiskies, and a very special one is The Temple Bar 14 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Malbec Cask. This multi-award-winning whiskey is limited to 1,000 bottles worldwide and is produced by a family business now in its third generation. This whiskey is produced with love and dedication to traditional Irish whiskey, and you can taste it. After 14 years of maturation, this whiskey receives its finish in Argentinian Malbec casks, which is noticeable in the aroma through the typical Malbec notes that meet hints of tobacco, summer fruits, dark chocolate, and wet wood. This excellent olfactory balance continues in a wonderfully full-bodied and complex taste with nuances of vanilla and sweet cocoa – an outstanding whiskey that probably won't be available at its current price for much longer.
The Macallan CONCEPT N° 2 Limited Edition 2019
Founded in 1824, The Macallan distillery is somewhat like the Porsche among Scottish Single Malt distilleries and has produced the most expensive whisky to date, the Macallan 1926 Single Malt, which sold for the equivalent of 1.74 million Euros at auction.
The significantly more affordable The Macallan CONCEPT N° 2 is a magnificent piece for all collectors of rare whiskies who drink not only with their nose and mouth, but also with their ears. This whisky was "composed" by the in-house whisky and music expert Steven Bremner. He actually based the blending of the distillates and casks on the composition of a piece of music, and you can hear, or rather smell and taste, it. The composition begins fruity-sweet with blueberries, apples, and vanilla, setting the tempo, and harmoniously blending into a brilliant crescendo with nutmeg, pistachios, cinnamon, and oak, before the spice notes gently fade in the coda and finally dissolve into pure delight. Da capo!
Mortlach 15 Years Old GAME OF THRONES Six Kingdoms Limited Edition
Fans of the Game of Thrones series will particularly enjoy this whisky from the Mortlach distillery, founded in 1823 in Dufftown, Scotland. The design of the label and the gift box features the three-eyed raven, which series connoisseurs know from the dreams of the character Bran Stark. The Mortlach 15 Years Old GAME OF THRONES Six Kingdoms Limited Edition is therefore a true collector's item, but can also compete with the greats of its kind in terms of taste. This rare whisky, aged for 15 years in American bourbon barrels, captivates with intensely spicy vanilla aromas.
Signatory Vintage ARDMORE 11 Years Old The Un-Chillfiltered Collection 2009
Of course, with rare whiskies, price often plays an important role, and most of the rare whiskies presented here are therefore somewhat more expensive. However, there are also a few cheaper rare whiskies where an investment could be even more worthwhile. An example of this is the Signatory Vintage ARDMORE 11 Years Old The Un-Chillfiltered Collection 2009. It is not often that rare whiskies are so affordable, which makes this whisky a rarity even on a meta-level. The independent bottler Signatory Vintage was only founded in 1988 and inspires with innovation and individuality. In the "The Un-Chillfiltered Collection" series, all whiskies were bottled at 46% ABV and were not chill-filtered. They were aged for 11 years in hogshead casks. All of this resulted in its distinctive pale gold color and the exceptional taste of peat, old leather, exotic fruits, and spices.
Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Finally, we want to conclude our list of rare whiskies at the other end of the price spectrum with the Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old belongs to Bunnahabhain's Core Range and is just one of many that has already received several awards.
Due to its strong sherry character and 25 years of maturation, this whisky is a perfect example of Bunnahabhain's nature.
This brings us to the end of our excursion into the fascinating world of rare whiskies. We wish you much enjoyment in life's special moments – and with the matching rare whiskies!
