Key Points
Demand for fine, or luxury, spirits has leapt over the past several years, led by tequila and American whiskey/bourbon..
Spirits as a collectible has been around for decades but really took off about 20 to 25 years ago with collectors and investors recognizing that single-malt Scotch whiskies were valuable, says Amays Aouli, global head of wine and spirits for Bonhams..
Rudy Matic, a buyers consultant and certified specialist of spirits, says collectors should develop a palate by tasting different spirits and talking to bartenders and liquor sales representatives who can make suggestions for products with similar taste profiles..
Quality and rarity define whats collectible, so core items arent likely to rise in value, but it can happen if the product is discontinued at some point, says Rory Glasgow, national single-malt Scotch whisky ambassador for U.S. and Canada for Brown-Forman, citing the companys Scotch whisky brand GlenDronach..
Part of the fun of collecting is hunting down older bottles or limited editions, but experts warn collectors against buying or selling bottles that arent at liquor shops or auctions..
