Whiskystats data shows secondary-market whisky values rising for a fifth straight month, led by Ardbeg and Port Ellen, while Macallan lags.

TL;DR

  • Whiskystats says its Ardbeg index rose 7.5% in September 2026, the biggest one-month jump since May 2019, and its overall Whisky Index gained about 1% for a fifth consecutive month.
  • Port Ellen leads the brand ranking at +17.1% year to date, while Brora (-0.9%) and Macallan (-1.6%) slipped in September.
  • These are auction bottle indices, not cask prices, and at least one recent auction sold well below retail, so gains are uneven.

What did Whiskystats report for September 2026?

Whiskystats, a secondary-market auction data firm, reported on 7 October that 27,300 bottles of 14,200 different whiskies changed hands in September. The share of unsold lots fell to 8.3%, the lowest since May but still very high in absolute terms. Its overall Whisky Index rose about 1%, the fifth consecutive monthly gain.

Why did Ardbeg jump?

Ardbeg is an Islay distillery owned by LVMH. Its Auction Price Index, which tracks the 100 historically most-traded releases, rose 7.5% in September after a 4.5% gain from May to August. Whiskystats points to the Ardbeg Feis Ile 2011 release: buyer prices fell to EUR 750 and below earlier this year, then reached EUR 1,050 at Whisky Auctioneer, still well under the August 2020 peak of EUR 2,450. The most expensive Ardbeg traded was the Ardbeg 1815 at EUR 5,400, after EUR 3,800 in August, although Whiskystats notes an earlier trade at EUR 6,000, a sign of volatility.

How did Port Ellen, Brora and Macallan compare?

Port Ellen rose 2.3% in September and is up 17.1% year to date, leading the brand ranking. Brora fell 0.9% and Macallan fell 1.6%. Whiskystats says Macallan's index stayed flat over the summer while Port Ellen, Brora and Ardbeg recovered.

Are all high-end bottles rising?

No. Whisky Advocate's 16 October auction round-up reports that an Ardbeg The Abyss 34 Year Old sold for US$18,107 at Whisky Auctioneer, below its US$27,500 retail price, though it was the highest Ardbeg auction price this year. The same round-up says some Macallan TIME:SPACE 20 Year Old bottles sold below their US$1,400 retail price, and notes that a high-profile release no longer guarantees flippers a quick profit.

Why does it matter for APAC collectors and cask investors?

For Asian buyers, the signal is selectivity: older, scarce Islay labels are recovering while the biggest name is flat. Bottle auction indices are a different market from cask investment, where exit routes, storage and warehouse fees matter, so treat these numbers as a sentiment check only. Compare with our coverage of Macallan's record sale (https://whiskybulletin.com/macallan-1926-sells-for-gbp-2-1m-at-sothebys-first-distillery-auction-what-apac-collectors-should-note/), IWSR's status whisky data (https://whiskybulletin.com/status-whisky-slumps-for-a-second-year-what-iwsrs-10-drop-means-for-apac-buyers/) and India's Scotch duty cut (https://whiskybulletin.com/scotch-prices-are-falling-in-india-after-the-uk-trade-deal-what-asian-buyers-should-know/). This is not financial advice.

What is not confirmed?

Whiskystats did not publish index levels in the article text, only in charts. Index moves are averages, and Whiskystats notes its figures may change as new data arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Ardbeg auction prices rise in September 2026?

Whiskystats reports its Ardbeg Auction Price Index rose 7.5%, the biggest one-month gain since May 2019.

Which whisky brand leads the secondary market in 2026?

Per Whiskystats, Port Ellen leads its brand ranking, up 17.1% year to date as of September.

Do auction price indices reflect whisky cask prices?

No. They track bottles sold at auction. Casks trade in a different market with storage, insurance and exit considerations.

Sources and Method

Based on the Whiskystats monthly update of 7 October 2026, with Whisky Advocate's auction update of 16 October 2026 for independent context. Currencies are kept as reported by each source. Not financial advice.