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RARE WHISKY 101

Monthly Market Watch – May 2015

Andy Simpson

Monthly Whisky Market Watch by Andy Simpson – June 5, 2015


Monthly Market Watch – May 2015

Growing Volatility for Officially Bottled Port Ellen.

Following April’s record month for the highest number of bottles sold on the open market (4,309), May cooled significantly at 3,304. That’s still a 6.37% year-on-year increase but 27.92% less than last months performance.

Strong demand and further hardening of values in certain areas of the market was ever more apparent throughout May. Conversely, ever increasing polarisation forced other brands/bottles deeper into negative territory.

Particularly striking was the extreme volatility currently being experienced in the Port Ellen Index. The Rare Whisky Port Ellen Index (RWPEI – covering releases 1 to 8 inclusive) re-traced by -0.94% during May. Not in itself a disaster; however, three month yields for this index currently stand at -20.33%.

Does this signify a marked change in the market for Port Ellen? Increasing volatility and a three month loss of 20%+ warranted further research.

The chart below shows the (OB) Port Ellen Index alongside a selection of independent bottles (20 bottles were randomly selected which have regular sales on the open market).

Port Ellen Index

Smooth growth for IB Port Ellen. OB’s are now experiencing significant volatility.

Taken over three months, the official bottles have moved from an index score of 456.77 to 363.90. The independent bottles have moved from 288.71 to 313.59.

Official Bottles DOWN 20.33%

Independent Bottles UP 8.62%

There are a number of reasons for this stark contrast. As we’ve highlighted in previous updates, the most prominent reason is the erosion of perceived primary market value for the official releases. Secondary market buyers are turning away from the OB’s to pursue better value among the IB’s. The average price of the OB’s remains significantly higher at £809.70 versus £302.50 for the IB’s.

To a lesser degree, Brora mirrors this trend. The Brora OB Index was the worst performing Rare Whisky index throughout May losing 2.89% (three month numbers see an increase of 2.15%).

The Rare Whisky 101 composite index May changes ranked in order of increase/decrease are –

1 – RWK Index – Karuizawa 1 – RWK Index – Karuizawa +11.45%

2 – RWRMS Index – Rare Malts Selection Index 2 – RWRMS Index – Rare Malts Selection Index +5.53%

3 – RWM25 Index – Macallan 25 3 – RWM25 Index – Macallan 25 +2.79%

4 – RWM18 Index – Macallan 18 4 – RWM18 Index – Macallan 18 +0.63%

5 – RWVintage50 – Vintage 50 Index 5 – RWVintage50 – Vintage 50 Index +0.53%

6 – RWIcon100 – Icon 100 Index 6 – RWIcon100 – Icon 100 Index -0.49%

7 – RWPE Index – Port Ellen 7 – RWPE Index – Port Ellen -0.94%

8 – RWB Index – Brora Index 8 – RWB Index – Brora Index -2.89%

Japan remains an almost permanent fixture at number one. Following April’s 26% increase for the Karuizawa Index, a rather more sedate but still impressive 11% uplift was observed in May. We sit on the fence in terms of future gains for Karuizawa. Such rapid increases generally suggest there will be an equally rapid re-trace (or at best a period of stability); however, the lack of available product and ever increasing demand could equally mean continued upside.

The benchmark Icon100 index showed a small loss for the month, closing down 0.49%. A decline in through-the-month sales for many of the bottles resulted in this relative stagnation. 14/100 bottles increased in value, 74/100 bottles remained static and 12/100 bottles decreased.

The Rare Malts Selection Index took a marked 5.53% uplift. Very positive in isolation, this should be viewed as something of a spike driven by a small number of rarities which sold for huge record amounts. That said ‘a rising tide floats all boats’ and we’re starting to see some of the less desirable bottles in the series move up alongside the ‘big’ bottles. The average per-bottle price of a full-house of the RMS series at the end of 2014 was £375.80; that now stands at £417.10.

Rare Malts Index

Solid growth for the Rare Malts Selection bottles. Are May’s increases a spike?

In common with previous months, Macallan 18 and 25 year olds saw values harden. In contrast to this performance, we’re seeing increasing stress for recent releases. The separation in performance for older discontinued Macallan bottles bearing an age statement/vintage, (hypothetically) appears to be a driving force in the ever widening divide with the poor performing non-aged contemporary releases. Further detailed analysis is required to prove/disprove the collectability of aged/vintaged Macallan vs non-aged. Perception as to the quality of the liquid, however personal and ambiguous, also has to be a factor. We plan to fully review this later in the year.

Macallan 25 Index

In performance terms, older ‘aged’ Macallan is rapidly separating from more recent NAS releases

Aside from the composite indices above, the rare whisky market in general appeared positive. The Apex1000, Apex250 and Apex100 indices were up 1.50%, 2.40% and 0.86% respectively. The negative indices continued to remain at all-time lows.

Negative Whisky Indices

Negative Indices continue to be governed by bears.

As we move to the half year review stage at the end of June, the sheer number of auctions selling rare whisky throughout the month is vast; we’re expecting record/near-record volumes to be seen. These volumes could have a marked effect on the perceived value (or lack of it) for certain brands and certain bottles.

We look forward to sharing the results in due course.