🥃 Welcome to Market Monday

Whether you're chasing sherry bombs, portfolio growth, or just better bottle deals — Market Monday is your whisky intelligence drop. Every week we break down trends from UK auctions, pair them with U.S. relevance, and help you stay ahead of the curve.

Let’s get to it.

Auction Watch: Global Highlights

🔨 Bonhams Hong Kong (August Sale)

• Macallan 25 Sherry Oak (2021 Release) – HKD 95,000 (~$12,100 USD / £9,400 GBP).
  Prices remain resilient despite a cooling trend in younger Macallans — the 25 is holding firm as a benchmark collector’s bottle.

• Karuizawa 1981, 35-Year-Old, Sherry Cask #6412 – HKD 480,000 (~$61,000 USD / £47,500 GBP).
  Japanese unicorns continue to command sky-high premiums, signaling steady demand despite limited global supply.

🔨 Sotheby’s London

• Bowmore Black 1964, 42-Year-Old – £25,000 (~$32,100 USD).
  Historic Bowmores are still seen as cornerstone investment pieces — fewer appear each year at auction, keeping scarcity strong.

U.S. Market Insight

What’s Hot Stateside

• Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC): Last year’s secondary prices surged at release ($1,200+ for George T. Stagg), but mid-summer sees a softening — prices dipping closer to $850 on U.S. Facebook/private groups. Savvy collectors may want to keep an eye out now.

• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: Recent batch B523 is seeing healthy movement at $130–$150 (MSRP ~$75). Proof-driven bourbon lovers continue to create strong aftermarket lift.

• Tequila Crossover Effect: U.S. retailers note that ultra-premium tequila drinkers (Don Julio 1942, Clase Azul) are increasingly “whisky-curious.” This could push demand for sweeter, cask-finished Scotch expressions (think Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Balvenie Caribbean Cask).

Recommendation

📈 For U.S.-based collectors: now may be the time to build positions in high-age-statement bourbon (Elijah Craig 18, Knob Creek 18) before autumn release season draws attention back to BTAC and Pappy.

Industry News You Should Know

• Diageo Signals Strategic Focus on Premium Single Malts
  Recent filings indicate ramped-up investment in Lagavulin, Talisker, and Mortlach marketing. U.S. allocations may expand slightly in Q4, though rising tariffs remain a question mark.

• Scotch Tariff Watch
  Trade analysts warn of potential tariff reevaluations between the U.S. and UK/EU in late 2025. Collectors may want to keep an eye out — historical tariff bumps have created short-term price distortions (and opportunities).

Collector’s Eye

The shift we’re seeing is subtle but telling: while ultra-rare bottles like Karuizawa still break records, savvy U.S. collectors are moving into “accessible prestige” — bottles under $500 that punch above their price. Expect GlenDronach 18, Springbank 15, and Balvenie Tun-style releases to see increased secondary activity in the coming months.

📣 Help Build the Dram Society

Love whisky and market insights? Forward this to a fellow dram-sipper or invite them to subscribe:
👉 Subscribe to The Dram Dispatch

Until the next dram,

Nick on the Rocks
Editor, The Dram Dispatch
🟤 Follow on Instagram