The Risks of Whisky Investing

Valuations for rare whiskies have started to slow down after being one of the best performing alternative investments over the last ten years. The latest… Read More

Valuations for rare whiskies have started to slow down after being one of the best performing alternative investments over the last ten years. The latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index shows a four percent decline year-over-year in the value of the rare whiskies that make up the index. Is this the start of a trend? We’ll ask rare whisky consultant Andy Simpson, who helps compile the index for Rare Whisky 101.

In the news, Scotch Whisky exports fell during the first six months of 2023 compared to last year, with a sharp 20 percent decrease in volume. Irish whiskey exports rose during 2022, according to a new report released this week, and Hedley Wright, the longtime chairman of Springbank owner J&A Mitchell Co. Ltd. passed away this month at the age of 92.

Episode 1018: August 20, 2023

Links: Rare Whisky 101 | Scotch Whisky Association | Drinks Ireland | Titanic Distillers | Mary Dowling Whiskey | Hard Truth Distilling | Maker’s Mark | Jack Daniel’s | The Balvenie | Glen Scotia | Tamdhu | Douglas Laing & Co. | James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits | High West | Springbank

Hedley G. Wright: 1931-2023

Hedley G. Wright, the longtime chairman of Springbank owner J&A Mitchell Co. Ltd. passed away August 5 after a short illness, the company announced today.… Read More

Hedley G. Wright, the longtime chairman of Springbank owner J&A Mitchell Co. Ltd. passed away August 5 after a short illness, the company announced today. Wright was an enduring mainstay of the Scotch Whisky industry for 60 years as the owner of Springbank and Glengyle distilleries and the independent bottler/retailer William Cadenhead Ltd.

Wright was a longtime supporter of Campbeltown’s place in the whisky industry, and single-handedly led the fight to keep Campbeltown as one of Scotch Whisky’s regions at a time when others argued for merging Campbeltown into the Lowlands region.

In a statement, the company said “There will be no change in the structure or day to day running of the company following Mr Wright’s passing as the necessary arrangements were put in place a number of years ago.” At that time, Wright put the majority of the company’s shares into a trust designed to protect J&A Mitchell’s independence, while allowing profits to be used for projects to benefit the people of Campbeltown.

Hedley G. Wright was 92 years old. Please join us in expressing our condolences to the Wright family and the staff of J&A Mitchell Co. Ltd.

This story was published August 16, 2023. Image courtesy J&A Mitchell Co. Ltd.

Happy Hour Live with Springbank’s Findlay Ross and Ranald Watson (Episode 902: October 8, 2021)

Springbank’s Findlay Ross and Ranald Watson joined us from Campbeltown, Scotland on the latest Happy Hour Live webcast to answer your whisky questions. We also talked about plans for J&A Mitchell’s third distillery to be built in Campbeltown, with a goal of having it open in time for Springbank’s 200th anniversary in 2028. There are also new environmental initiatives in the works for Springbank and Glengyle distilleries, along with new whiskies and the return of Springbank’s popular whisky school in 2022. Links: Springbank

Springbank’s Findlay Ross and Ranald Watson joined us from Campbeltown, Scotland on the latest Happy Hour Live webcast to answer your whisky questions. We also talked about plans for J&A Mitchell’s third distillery to be built in Campbeltown, with a goal of having it open in time for Springbank’s 200th anniversary in 2028. There are also new environmental initiatives in the works for Springbank and Glengyle distilleries, along with new whiskies and the return of Springbank’s popular whisky school in 2022.


Links: Springbank