What does value mean to you regarding whisky?

[lincoln imp]

We all want value with our whisky purchases but for some time now i have seen the `window` of value shrinking quite dramatically whether it be purchasing from a retailer direct or at a whisky auction.

If I look at supermarkets then Old Pulteney 12 can be had for as little as £24 which is real value or Glenmorangie 10 for £26, so in supermarkets we can all find bargains under the £40 bracket.
But what about higher up say under £100, prices really start to increase for a few extra years and now many 18 year whiskies are approaching or are over the £100 mark.

I have to be honest i was optimistic about whisky prices until flippers arrived in the market which has definitely inflated the prices, but there are many factors for the increases, you cannot blame all of them on flippers but that is certainly a factor that has had far reaching consequences for the average consumer looking for value.

The secondary market now is a minefield and some of the prices people are willing to pay are insane, even bottles with low fill levels go for high amounts?

I just wondered what everyone else thought offers value in today's whisky world, what do you look for?

Cheers
Linc
_________________
Pour me a glass please.

[Jez Hellewell]

I very rarely buy a whisky these days unless it’s on offer. Like you say, there are some tremendous malts to be had, on offer, in the supermarket. My latest being Ardbeg 10 for £37, staggering value for money. And Tesco currently have the Glenmorangie Lasanta at £35. It’s a win, win as it means I end up trying whisky that I wouldn’t ordinarily buy.
Why pay full price?

[ralfy legend]

I also mainly buy on offer whiskies either supermarket or amazon, small story from 2019, me and my pal had agreed meeting up in Edinburgh for 3 days so we said let bring a bottle each of £70 plus so managed to get a highland park wings of the eagle for £73 and my pal got a bargain of glenlivit 18 for £64, but a month before our meet I came into my house to find I had 10 missed calls from him so ringing him back and just catching him in Costco he asked if I wanted a highland park 18 for £65. Wow now there’s a bargain

[davidbe]

Value can mean two things, either it means you feel that the bottle you're enjoying was worth what you paid for it, or it can mean it meets certain requirements for the price.

In older malts I think Glencadam 21 is terrific value. It has a high age statement, is non chill filtered and natural colour, and is often under £100, a rarity for the age, proof and 'presentation' (as Ralfy would call it).


Flippers don't seem to be affecting the things I drink, other than the availability of Springbank. They haven't (yet) affected the price of it.

The bigger concern is the young malts from new distilleries going for what I would consider to be poor value.

[Scotchnthings]

I feel like flippers are merely a biproduct. Its the value of "fiat" currencies decreasing that is the problem. No interest on the banks, so people are hoarding collectibles, wether itd be sneakers, toys, cryptocurrencies or even Pokémon cards... But on the topic, I try not to go for the limited edition bottles but more standard range at good prices. (or cask strength releases).

To be fair distilleries are putting millions of bottles out a year and they still have to compete to get their bottles bought of the shelf, so there is definitely some good ones to be had.
And when I see them I buy 1 extra for later.
I live in between Belgium and the UK so am able to pick up deals on both sides. For example I picked up 2 of bottles of Caol ila 25 on the other side of the channel for under 100 euros about a year ago. I also (when it used to be possible) loved to go to distilleries themselves and pick up some Distillery bottles.

[ralfy legend]

Ok what is value? Depends on money for the so called buyer, then how they enjoyed and the price, it can be a low price whisky from any given price really right? Plus all palates with say on any given night what is value for the price your paying I suppose,, enjoy your malt at any price .

[Dave h]

1. Value to me is fair price for a distillery I like.
2. Value to me is great quality whisky at a price I'm prepared to pay.

Unfortunately the two scenarios are becoming less. Indi bottles used to give me great vslue, but prices have shot up and now struggle to attain real 'value'

Everything is creeping up and up, year on year.. even the promo prices for me dont represent a good deal in most cases.