50-year-old cask whisky is rare
Most whiskies consumed around the world do not exceed 18 years. Do not assume that a 50-year-old Macallan, mentioned in advertisements and priced over one million pounds, is common. Over the years, Cask Trade has sold over 9000 single casks, of which only one was a 50-year-old cask. Even on the inventory list of about 800 casks from more than 40 distilleries, it is very rare to see 40 to 50-year-old whiskies, and the cask market is not built on these extremes.
Whisky, like a Rolex watch, appreciates with age and rarity, but it can also depreciate. As the age of whisky increases, one major factor that investors or independent bottlers must consider is the ‘Angel’s Share‘ i.e., the amount of liquid lost each year due to evaporation.
In Scotland, about 2-3% of the whisky and alcohol content (ABV) evaporates each year. According to Scottish law, all Scottish whisky must have an alcohol level of 40% or above. If the whisky drops below 40%, it can no longer be called Scottish whisky, and the value of the cask may decrease by 50-90%.
The Importance of Regularly Health Checks
Some people may want to buy a cask of whisky and hold it for 20-30 years. However, when it reaches 10-15 years, it is crucial to sample and regauge (health check) the cask to monitor the overall health of the cask and how close it is to the important 40% alcohol level. For more tips on making smart decisions, check out our [2024 Cask Trading Guide: Essential Dos and Don’ts].
Sampling is also important for tracking the flavor changes of your whisky, as no two casks are identical, whisky itself continuously evolves in oak casks, different whiskies will reach the best bottling year at different times, and the best time is not necessarily a long time.
If you want to know what year a certain distillery’s whisky is usually bottled and the bottling process, feel free to contact Cask Trade HK.
