📰 MARKET MONDAY

🔥 GlenDronach’s Price Surge + Hakushu Heat | U.S. Auction Watch

Author

Nick Kalin
July 21, 2025

🥃 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: July Standouts

(UK Hammer Price in GBP, U.S. Value in Approximate USD)

Bottle

Hammer Price

USD Est.

Trend

U.S. Insight

GlenDronach 18 Allardice

£155

~$200

🔼 +12% MoM

U.S. retail $210–$250. Still a smart shelf buy.

Hakushu 12 (Pre-2023)

£360

~$465

🔼 +20%

U.S. prices now $550+ on secondary. Scarce.

Springbank Local Barley 2021

£620

~$800

🔼 +8%

Extremely limited in U.S. — >$1,000 if found.

Macallan 18 Sherry Oak (2020)

£760

~$980

➡ Flat

Holding strong. U.S. market mostly aligned.

💡 Note: These auction prices exclude shipping and import duties. Expect to pay 15–25% more if importing privately.

💼 U.S. Market Insight

Import Lag = U.S. Opportunities

Many distilleries have staggered release schedules across continents. That means pricing trends in the UK often predict U.S. increases by 3–6 months.
Example:
GlenDronach 18’s rise in UK auctions → U.S. retailers now low on stock → Expect $250+ retail pricing by fall.

Recommendation:

  • Buy U.S.-stocked sherried single malts now

  • Watch auction pricing for Macallan Harmony, Ben Nevis 10, Arran 18 — all sleeper values in the States

🔎 Buy Signal of the Week (U.S.-Focused)

🥃 Ben Nevis 10 Year Old

  • UK Auction Price: £68 / ~$88

  • U.S. Retail (if you can find it): ~$90–$100

  • Why It Matters: Rising cult favorite with deep flavor. Importers are struggling to restock. Still fair value in the U.S.

📊 Collector Tip (U.S. Edition)

Before bidding overseas, check your state’s laws on direct whisky imports. States like CA, DC, and NY are more permissive; others block spirits shipping altogether.

💡 Pro tip: Use a third-party UK fulfillment partner or bonded warehouse to consolidate purchases.

🗓️ Coming Wednesday:

Your full DramIndex™ breakdown of GlenDronach 12 — with U.S. pricing, drinkability, and availability notes.

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Until next dram,

Nick on the Rocks
Editor, The Dram Dispatch
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