The Top 10 Investment Whiskeys of 2023

We all have our origin story of how we first got into whiskey. Many of us got a taste for the good stuff and there was no turning back. Others have taken a more calculated approach looking for value or diversity of experiences. 

One thing is for sure, you’ve had that moment where you find a bottle at auction that you used to own—that is until you drank it! The bottle in question sold for 5-10 times what you paid for it. You shouldn’t feel too bad. Whiskey is made to be drunk, right? Right, people?

There’s a reason why more and more people are converting to the cult of investment whiskey: it can pay off dividends. But what is the best whiskey to invest in? Many people ask me that very same question. Which whiskey should I buy? There's no clear answer and this is in now way financial advice, BUT, below are a couple of whiskeys that I'm putting my money into in 2023 (if I can find them at the right entry point!).

Whiskey as an Investment

Whiskey investors will tell you that while there is plenty of money to be made, it’s not always so straightforward. Limited releases via ballot systems like The Macallan or Buffalo Trace mean that short-term flipping is a high-risk/ high-reward game. But that is more like playing the lottery or the slots at the casino.

However, the rare and annual bottlings from premium brands seem to almost always outperform the S&P, and with less volatility! 

In other words, there are a lot worse channels where you could invest your money.

Top Investment Whiskeys to Park Your Money into in 2023

Whiskey investment can fit any size budget or any type of investment strategy. Here are 10 whiskeys to keep in mind while investing in whiskey for 2023. If you want to know which whiskey you should be investing in this year, then look no further.

As always, only invest what you can afford to lose (or drink)!

Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak

The Macallan is one of the most storied Scotch distilleries and producers of top-shelf whisky. The distillery puts out several limited releases per year. Whisky investors attempt to get their hands on these offerings via a ballot system. 

If you aren’t one of the lucky few to be offered a procurement, then it’s off to the races with the second- and third-hand sellers. One upcoming release to keep your eye out for is the Archival Folio 7 Series which we covered in our “Top 10 Most Anticipated Whiskeys of 2023.”

A simpler investment strategy is to go for the annually released yet always in demand The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak. Bottles can expect to shoot up in value soon after release and continue healthy annual returns. It’s less risky with steady rewards.

Pappy Van Winkle’s 23 Year Old 

Buffalo Trace releases the entire hyped-range of Pappy every fall. Bottle numbers can vary with each year but acquiring any offering is cause for celebration. 

For big financial gains, the best option is to nab yourself a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s 23 Year Old Family Reserve Bourbon. (If you have $50,000 or so, feel free to haul in Old Rip Van Winkle 23 Year Old Family Selection instead). 

Pappy 23 Year Old will set you back $300-400 if you are lucky enough to win a lottery or raffle to buy one. Otherwise, expect to spend 10 times that or more. The good news is that the average bottle is worth $8000 or more. So you can expect a good annual return as your vintage gets older.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old

If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio, then look no further than the Far East and Suntory. Suntory’s Yamazaki 18 Year Old is the stuff of legends. It is much more than a tribute to the sweet honey, vanilla, and floral characters of Speyside and Lowland Scotch whiskies. 

Located near the Mizunara Forest, environmental factors contribute to the myth of this whisky. Perhaps that is why it seems to be in perpetual demand from enthusiasts and investors alike. 

According to recent data, you can expect an average annualized return of 16.89% from a bottle of Yamazaki 18 Years Old. This puts it near the top of medium-long returns when it comes to whiskey investing.

Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash 2022

Tracing its roots back to the Pennsylvania Blue Mountains in 1753, Michter’s has gone through several iterations to arrive at its current destination: small batch bourbon rock stars. Any of Michter’s limited releases are a good investment (possibly even better to crack open and pour a dram).

Released only last year, Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey was produced as a nod to the distillery's roots and a unique mashing process. This is the fourth edition of Celebration Sour Mash. 

Only 328 bottles were released into the wild—perfect for parking and growing a considerable sum of money!

George T. Stagg

GTS may be unrivaled in the hype it produces annually amongst bourbon lovers. Part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC), George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon is rich in color and flavor. Annual releases flirt with 140 proof without a sweat—GTS is almost like maple syrup!

Many whiskey investors will quickly flip any bottles they can lift from the spectacle that is the BTAC release. Who can blame them when bottles easily sell for 5-10 times the MSRP?  If you can trust yourself not to open the bottle then George T. Stagg is perfect for a medium to long-term investment. 

Blanton’s Barrel Char No 4 Special Release Single Barrel Bourbon

Whiskey investors and bourbon drinkers are well acquainted with Buffalo Trace’s Blanton’s brand of bourbon. If anything, the iconic dome-shaped bottle stands out from the crowd of top-shelf whiskey. 

The Kentucky distillers are trailblazers when it comes to single barrel bourbon. Their focus on bottling one barrel gives drinkers a unique experience.

Most of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon releases will make strong short-term gains on the whiskey market. Released in 2022, Blanton’s Barrel Char No. 4 was produced for the European market in a limited run of only 832 bottles. 

The entire release is from four barrels at different proofs—it’s really like four mini-releases. Any bottle you can lockdown will pay off dividends when collectors come knocking on your door in 5-10 years. 

Laphroaig Ian Hunter Story Book 4

Many whisky investors will have a collection of Laphroaig rare bottlings—it’s simply good business! Releases like the 10 Year Old cask Strength are good buys for short-term or long-term gains. 

Ian Hunter managed the Laphroaig distillery from 1908 to 1944. His tenure had a great, shaping effect on where the company is today. As part of a series, the Laphroaig Ian Hunter Book 4: Malt Master commemorates the boldness of the man. 

Single malt whisky aged 34 years is bottled at 48.2% ABV. The liquid gold is safely guarded inside a rather large book about Ian Hunter. 

Less than 5,000 have been released and you can be sure that Laphroaig collectors will spend a pretty penny to acquire a bottle from you years down the line. 

Springbank 30 Year Old

The family-owned Springbank distillery has been producing high-quality single malt Scotch for nearly two centuries. As one of the few surviving Campbeltown whisky producers, the company’s output is increasingly short of demand—whisky investors have taken notice. 

The distiller’s 12, 15, 18, and 21 Year Old whiskeys are ranked amongst the most frequently traded whiskies in the world. They also fetch average annualized returns ranging from 12-19.25%.

Recent data shows that the 2020 release of Springbank 21 Year Old has averaged an annual return of 26.04%! 

Snatching up a bottle of the rarely released Springbank 30 Year Old may produce similar or better results. Luckily for you, 1,400 bottles were let out of their cages last year. Grab a bottle from your favorite whiskey merchant and expect steady returns year after year.

Glenfarclas 35 Year Old Warehouse Edition

The Glenfarclas distillery has been producing Highland single malt whisky since 1836. Despite that, it is often overlooked by flashier brands. Recently released, Glenfarclas 35 Year Old is the first of its kind from the distillery. 

Distillery manager Callum Fraser bumped into some casks tucked away in the dark corners of the warehouse. After sampling the barrels, Fraser knew he found something exciting. 

What this means is that you can capture apex-rare whiskey in your investing web for around $1000. Annual returns should be more than decent but whisky investors will be rewarded for playing the long game with this bottling. 

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Another Suntory brand that whiskey investors look out for is Hibiki. Always respectful of the traditions of Scotch, the distillery’s core range can be difficult to find outside of Japan

Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Whiskey is a favorite among collectors and drinkers alike—that mean’s there are plenty of demand channels for liquidating!

Rumored to be a blend of up to 30 whiskies aged in a mix of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon oak, Hibiki 17 will cost you 3-4 times the MSPR in your local bottle shop. However, you can expect average annualized returns upwards of 22.85% meaning this limited blend is great for short to medium-term whiskey investors.

*Please note, this is not financial advice. All returns data has been sourced from https://whiskyreturns.com/best-returns-whiskies-top-list-secondary-market/