Estimating Future Value of Whisky

No ideas anyone?

I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that if an expression (other than a specific vintage) is discontinued, it is probably because it is no longer selling very well, and thus there probably isn't going to be a very robust secondary market for it.

However, some expressions are discontinued for other reasons, even though it has a loyal following.

Personally, I have only bought a few bottles because I wanted to hurry up and buy it now before it goes up in the future. These are all Glenrothes Vintages that are no longer available: 1972, 1984, 1991, 1992, etc...

Hands-up who's for drinking it and collecting the memories?

@SMWS I'm with you! Crack it open and see how good it is!

I'm not into "collecting" whiskies, but instead, I hope to try all of the great whiskies out there. For me, identifying which whiskies are going to be around for a while vs. those with a short window of availability is important. I can trust that I will be able to find a bottle of Glenlivet 21yr Archive for a long time to come, and it will be around the same price today as it will five years from now, vs. Glenrothes 1985, which is already getting hard to find, and it will only be getting scarcer and more expensive as time goes on.

Not that I am trying to collect either of these, but I would rather buy the 1985 today, than the Glenlivet 21yr Archive, as the Glenrothes will be going up in price, and the Glenlivet will not.

That's the beauty of SMWS, you pay your renewal and we source the very best casks. Some of the lesser known malts that go into blends are outstanding as single casks (and you would never have the chance to taste them other-wise). So we're not worried about the future, we know our favourite malt is the next one coming.

Yes, someday I hope to join the society, and start receiving some of your whiskies.

anything from a closing distillery. Tamdhu maybe?

Thanks for the thoughts everyone! I guess I'll just have to guesstimate certain bottlings. I recently--and luckily--picked up a bottle of 1982 Brora 22 Year (Lombard/JOS) for $160. When I got home I checked the going rates and Master of Malt and a few other places had it priced at 307 british pounds or more. So, I think I struck gold on that one (though I already knew the Brora was worth grabbing).

I'm wondering if getting another bottle of Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist will be worth holding for down the road, as it is not longer being bottled. Thoughts?

Also, do you guys think the older Laphroaig bottlings will continue to increase in value (further than they are)?

Grabbed a 2008 bottling of Airigh Nam Beist and will hide/hold it along with the Brora for a long time : )