Whisky Forum - Macallan Age

GraemeS · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2017 Posts: 5

Hi, new to the forum and hoped someone could help. I have started getting into whiskey over the last few years. My favourite being Macallan. I was just wondering if there was any way to tell what age it was bottled etc via information on the bottle etc. I have a limited edition bottle that I plan to keep for many years and it would be good to know how long I have actually had it for without using memory alone.

I can't see anything on the box, some info on the bottom and behind the label there is a series of numbers which do look like date and time but no Year.

Hope this makes sense and any help would be great ðŸ™‚

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2969

Hi Graeme

Unless it states on the bottle what age it was bottled at there is no way of knowing for sure how old the whisky was when it was bottled.

Was it bottled by The Macallan or an independent bottler? Perhaps we can help you with some details about which year it was bottled if you post the details of the expression and the info on the label/box, I am sure someone may recognise it. If you have a picture of your bottle that may help.

Often there are numbers on a bottle which mean nothing to consumers they come from the bottling plant and are for quality control but nothing really to do with the whisky in the bottle other than the perhaps the date/time and line in the bottling plant where it was bottled.

GraemeS · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2017 Posts: 5

Hi James,

Many thanks for your reply, I have taken a picture but can't see where I can post it here, not sure if you can point me in the right direction?

Just been reading how Macallan changed the line up and went for no age but surely there is some way to tell? Not that I plan to sell it but if I have a bottle of Macallan now does that mean it will be no more valuable than a bottle made in 30 ears? If the same is still being produced of course

GraemeS · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2017 Posts: 5

As i cant seem to upload a picture, here is what is inside the label:

L0252W L2 07:07 11:57

Hope this helps[/url]

GraemeS · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2017 Posts: 5

Actually, being a newbie, am I thinking about this the wrong way.. is it how many years it has been in the cask that determines value? As in once it is bottled the value won't increase? So a bottle of 18 year old macallan made now and purchased now will have the same value as an 18 year old made then and purchased then?

Sorry for all the questions!

Samson · Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 2:40 am Post subject:

Graeme once it is bottled the age will not increase but the value can increase. The number of years in the cask will certainly have a lot to do with its original selling price. If it is a rare sought after whisky then collectors and connoisseurs may pay a lot more for it, years down the line. As its availability diminishes its value can go up.

Those numbers you have posted are as James pointed out, they relate to the bottling plant where it was bottled and are more for quality control and nothing really to do with the whisky in the bottle.

GraemeS · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2017 Posts: 5

Thanks Samson,

I guess that's what I'm getting at, if I have an ageless bottle and no way of knowing when it was bottled/bought, short of me writing on the box when I purchased it.. what proof do I have that it was purchased in 2015 for example?

My thinking is to leave it and pass on to my kids. I just don't understand how this bottle of whiskey could increase in value if there is nothing to say when I got it or it was bottled.. am I making sense? Haha

Kava · Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 12:49 pm Post subject:

There are certain whiskies which have an iconic status amongst whisky drinkers and collectors and the Macallan is one of those. Limited edition and discontinued bottlings sell out and then increase in value as they are sought after.

As others have said, if you post the details of the bottle you have, all the info from the label, then we should be able to advise you what it may be worth now and in the future.

5-12-1908 · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Posts: 307

I think perhaps what you mean......is if i keep it 50 years will it be a 50yo whisky........no.
Perhaps if its a special....aged.....limited edition it might rise in value.
A limited edition midwinters night wont.....theres loads of them.
The glenfiddich foundation reserve went through the roof because it was a very limited edition.

Tell us more about what it is.

sorren · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 8:20 pm Post subject:

5-12-1908.. not exactly correct.. although the mid winters is not the best example take Snow Phoenix.. poss 30,000-60,000 bottles were produced and prices are still rising..
Macallan has and probably will always be collectible.. Macallan is overpriced especially for the younger core range Nas and age statements but very much sought after, you certainly would not call it a value for money whisky.. your bottle will not age but could still very easily go up in value.. it's all a case is demand and supply.. if you keep your bottle for 30 years it should increase in value due to poss label, poss bottle and package changes.. collectors will always want older versions of bottles even if still currently available but with different packaging..