Best Macallan Scotch Whisky to Invest

Around 1.6 billion bottles of Scotch Whisky are exported from Scotland to 180 different markets worldwide each year, with an average of 53 bottles shipped every second. In 2022, Scotland's beloved Scotch whisky exports raked in a staggering $7.4 billion.

The Macallan is arguably the most beloved Scotch in the whisky world. The rich history of The Macallan distillery paired with its global following and robust range of expressions makes it the liquid gold of dreams.

With prices for a 1926 Valerio Adami 60-year-old reportedly hitting a record-breaking $1.1 million in 2018, it’s no surprise that whisky lovers are seeking to cash in on The Macallan. The spirits market is expected to grow like clockwork by 5.18% each year from 2023 to 2027, so there’s no shortage of money to be made from investing in the flagship Speyside whiskey.

Whether you’re looking for the best Macallan whisky to invest in long-term or crave the adrenaline rush that comes from the odd flip, this is the perfect Scotch whisky brand to make some golden profits.

Why is The Macallan whisky worth more? Is it the charm bestowed by Scottish fairies? or perhaps something more tangible at work? Anyone can appreciate the smoothness of a dram and the way it warms the soul—but carnal pleasures that won’t fatten your wallet.

No, to fully capture the essence of The Macallan, you must understand the market forces at play.

You see, The Macallan reached its pinnacle when The Macallan Distillery stopped releasing casks in the 1990s. Other distilleries followed suit, stockpiling their precious reserves in private collections.

Since the limited stock quickly ended up in the hands of elite whiskey collectors, it made The Macallan casks one of the most coveted and expensive whisky investments. In short, scarcity was priced in.

Investors taking advantage of this finite commodity have seen it pay off time and time again, with cask investments outperforming traditional assets.

The brand on the label plays a key role. The name recognition is why the Macallan sells at a premium and is the reason Edrington fights to protect its good name.

The Scotch whisky industry is rapidly expanding, with large corporations vying for the best distilleries. Brands with strong reputations lock stock and throw away the key to ensure their liquid ends up with their label on the bottle.

This exclusivity gives high-end whiskey an intangible value that drives the price of The Macallan and its contemporaries higher—something lesser-known and mass-produced brands just can’t compete with.

Because its name is synonymous with luxury and rarity, Macallan whisky casks are in high demand and, therefore, worth the premium price.

The Macallan whisky is a lucrative investment if you time it right. For instance, in April 2022, The Macallan Distil Your World New York bottle was released, starting at $4,200 for the 700ml and $4,500 for the 750ml version, but went on to sell for more than $20,000 at a May 2022 auction—a cool 400% return on investment.

Keep an eye on the upcoming Archival Series Folio 7. The first two editions released in 2020 were highly sought after and super pricey. Folio 7 is said to be scheduled for release (well overdue) in late 2023. Macallan bottles often sell out upon release, so you've got to hustle to get yourself one—and it could be a serious flip.

That said, let’s talk about potentially high-return whisky bottles you can invest in right now.

1. The Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask

• Price Range: $100 to $1,800
• Average price: Up 3x in 2022
• Size: 0.75L

Distilleries don't come much more illustrious than The Macallan, and this whisky has spent a minimum of twelve years maturing in sherry casks, allowing it to develop a deep, rich flavor that is truly amazing.

The varying price points give whisky connoisseurs plenty of options when it comes to the perfect vintage. A bottle from the 1970s is sure to be a hot commodity, but newer ones from 2010 or 2013 aren’t certain to go up in price.

If you're feeling lucky, then take a chance at a whiskey auction. There's always the chance you could win an earlier vintage like the bottle that was last auctioned for only £70 ($84).

No matter your budget, The Macallan Sherry Oak Cask 12-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky will bring joy to your portfolio or taste buds. It’s a whisky that tastes great, but could also be a great investment.

2. Macallan Scotch 15 Years Old Double Cask

• Price Range: $150 to $300 
• Average Price: $166
• Size: 0.75L

The Macallan Scotch 15 Years Old Double Cask is one quality whiskey that doesn't mess around. Each vintage of this whisky is derived from a unique combination of European oak casks and seasoned American oak sherry casks, presenting an irresistible character marked by a warm, soft sweetness.

While the 2020 vintage was released globally in July at a price of $200, not all vintages stick to the same price range. Depending on the year and edition, prices may vary, with the 2019 vintage looking a bit higher and the 2021 vintage priced lower at around $137. Most bottles cost anywhere from $106 to $327, so be sure to shop around before investing.

No matter which vintage you choose, the Macallan 15 Years Old Double Cask is definitely an investment worth considering.

3. Macallan 18 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask

• Price Range: $300 to $15,000
• Size: 0.75L

If you're eyeing a wise investment, The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak could be a great choice. For those looking to invest, the pricing of this Scotch whisky varies by vintage. Based on recent trends, you'd be seeing prices around $370 to $5,500 for most bottles and as high as $15,000 for the 1937, 1964, 1966, and 1970 vintages.

As Macallan continues to wow whisky lovers worldwide, their annual 2020 and 2021 releases caught the attention of whisky collectors who happily accrued their bottles in online auctions with prices reaching $420 to $530, respectively. The value of The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Whisky continues to climb with the 2022 release auctions already seeing high bids of $408 and $505.

If you're looking to land this renowned single malt, you may want to start saving up now to prepare for the annual release auctions.

4. Macallan 25 Years Old Anniversary Malt

• Price Range: $3,600 to $20,300 
• Average price: $7,444
• Size: 0.75L

The Macallan Anniversary Malt 25 Year Old is recognized by its distinct red “25” label and is a collectible, limited-edition series first released in 1983. In the years since, 15 different vintages have been released—ranging from 1957 to 2002. Most bottles can fetch anywhere from $3,600 to $7,800, while the 1957 vintage typically sells for $5,000 to $20,300.

The Anniversary Malt Series is believed to be inspired by a marketing idea to encourage whiskey fans to purchase a 25-year-old Scotch for their 25th wedding anniversaries, so bottles from the series have become increasingly rare and valuable over time. The Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malts have vintage and age statements on their bottles—something that is becoming increasingly scarce in the whisky industry.

It's also worth mentioning that these Anniversary Malts have become even more valuable with age as these bottles represent Macallan's recent rebranding as a luxury brand. Prices for the Anniversary Malt Series vary depending on the vintage in question. For example, recent auctions have seen a 1968 vintage being sold for £2,100 ($2,530) and a 1985 vintage going for £4,150 ($5,000).

So, if you’re looking to invest in a whisky that could provide you great return and a good time while you’re at it, the Macallan Anniversary Malt is worth a thought.

5. Macallan 36 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Murray McDavid Mission)

• Price Range: $200 to $3,000
• Supply: 900
• Size: 0.75L

Distilled in 1969, this rare Speyside whisky was laid down in American oak bourbon casks and finished in Marsanne and Roussanne French wine casks, adding layers of complexity and flavor that can only be found in an aged whisky of this caliber. With only 900 bottles corked at 41% ABV in 2006, and each one coming in a collectable wooden case, it is no surprise that this whisky has become a coveted object for Scotch lovers and dominates at auctions.

But is the Murray McDavid Mission Macallan 36 Year Old worth the investment? The answer lies in the value of the market. Prices at auction vary, ranging from as little as $200 to over $1,200.

With its rarity and unique flavor profile, the Murray McDavid Mission Macallan 36 Year Old stands out as a prestigious whisky that's worthy of a special occasion. With only 900 bottles in circulation, you can guarantee it won't be around for long.

6. Macallan limited edition classic cut 

• Price Range: $70 to $2,385
• 2017 release sold for £1600 ($1,920) in 2022
• Size: 0.75L

The Macallan Limited Edition Classic Cut Single Malt Scotch Whisky is an annual limited release series from Macallan, crafted to celebrate the commitment and artistry that goes into creating their unique whiskies. Prices vary significantly, with bottles ranging from $70 up to $2385, depending on the vintage and availability.

If you're considering bidding in an auction to acquire the Classic Cut, the 2021 editions are fetching as much as $156 as of late, and a boxed 2017 edition sold for an impressive $1,920 in 2022. For those looking to capture one of each vintage, the Classic Cut Set (of relases 2017 through 2021) sold with a winning bid of $983 in 2021.

With the ever-increasing demand for quality, limited edition bottlings, and an ever-changing market, the Macallan Classic Cut makes for a secure investment for any serious whiskey or spirit collector.

7. The Macallan Rare Cask Highland Single Malt

• Price Range: $279 to $84,150
• Size: 0.7L

The Macallan 'Rare Cask' Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the pinnacle of extraordinary sought-after ultra-premium whisky. Fewer than one percent of Macallan’s casks meet the high standards needed to be labeled as Rare, making this single malt incredibly unique. In fact, some of these casks may never be used again.

The Rare Cask is an award-winning whisky—having won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Silver at the International Spirits Challenge. Investing in this Macallan whisky means riding the price roller coaster.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $280 to $1,500 for a bottle, with prices increasing for older vintages. For example, a 1950 vintage bottle goes for around $84,000, while the 1961 vintage is at $60,000. And the most recent 2022 vintage will cost you anywhere from $279 to $653.

The Macallan Rare Cask is an especially attractive investment for those willing to wait it out, with a 2018 bottle appreciating by 63% over less than two years (from $499 in December 2020 to $815 in October 2022). Even a 2014 bottle increased by 41% between June 2021 and October 2022.

Whether you’re looking to expand your whisky collection or invest in a fine spirit that could outperform the S&P, it’s worth a try.

8. Macallan Estate Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

• Price Range: $233 to $1,350
• Size: 0.7L

If you're looking for Macallan whiskies option with a bit of a kick, put your money where your mouth is and go straight for a bottle of The Macallan Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Released in 2019, The Macallan Estate is a tribute to its distiller's heritage and homeland.

The Macallan Estate commands sums from $315 to $1350 for older bottles and $233 to $684 for the 2019 vintage. And the potential for a return on investment? Just look at past auction sales—it was sold for $390 at a January Unicorn Auction in 2023, for $275 in December 2022, and for $442 in July 2019.

Prices can fluctuate, but if you’re brave enough, then take the plunge into a volatile (il)liquid asset—it could yield untold riches. We’ll raise our glass to that.

Investing in a scarce asset with steadily increasing demand is a recipe for a successful investment. On top of that, a luxury name brand like The Macallan will almost never leave a sour taste in your mouth or losses on your balance sheet.

In December 2020, a bottle of Macallan Red Collection sold for $92,600, showing how wildly high prices can go for the best Macallan whiskey. A Macallan 60-year-old Linley Edition also sold in March 2020 for $160,500, and a bottle of 1926 The Macallan Valerio Adami broke a world record selling for $1.9 million in 2019.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, exclusive spirits with coveted label designs can fetch shocking six- to seven-figure prices. Some bottles are as sought-after for what’s on the outside as what’s within.

Macallan Scotch is more than just a whisky—it's an investment in over 200 years in the making. Macallan is one of the most coveted whiskies in the world and a prime target for any smart investor.