What we buy and place
Our focus is rare and aged Macallan and Yamazaki. We also handle other collectable Scotch and Japanese whisky, and fine wine (see Fine wine).
We work with single bottles of note as well as whole collections. Inherited collections are welcome, including those where the owner is not sure what they have.
What we need from you
An accurate first assessment depends on good information. Please send as much of the following as you can.
Photographs
- The front and back of each bottle, in good light, without flash glare
- The capsule or seal, from above and from the side
- The neck, showing the fill level clearly against the label or shoulder
- Any lot number, bottle number or code printed or etched on the label or glass
- The box, tube or case, on all sides, plus any certificate or booklet
Condition notes
- Fill level. Where the liquid sits in the neck or shoulder. Whisky does not improve in the bottle, and a low fill can point to evaporation through a failing closure.
- Capsule and closure. Whether the capsule is intact, and whether it turns freely. A capsule that spins can indicate tampering or a dried cork.
- Label. Any tears, staining, fading or lifting.
- Box. Whether the original packaging is present and in what condition.
Paperwork
- Purchase receipts or invoices
- Auction records, if the bottle was bought at auction
- Any correspondence with the distillery or the original retailer
- Where and how the bottles have been stored
Missing paperwork does not end the conversation. Tell us what you have and what you do not.
The process
- Initial enquiry. Send a short description through the enquiry form. We reply to arrange the photographs and details.
- Desk assessment. We review the photographs and paperwork against verified examples. We look at recent comparable sales and tell you what we see, including anything that concerns us.
- Physical inspection. For bottles we intend to buy or place, we inspect them in person or through a trusted specialist before anything is agreed.
- Your choice of route. We may offer to buy outright, or to find a private buyer for an agreed figure. We set out the terms in writing before you commit.
- Settlement. Payment and handover follow the agreed terms. Shipping and insurance are arranged to suit the bottles and the jurisdictions involved.
How pricing is reached
We do not publish prices or quote from a list. Every bottle is assessed on its own:
- Edition. The exact release, label generation and market.
- Condition. Fill level, capsule, label and box.
- Provenance. How clearly the bottle's history can be shown.
- Comparable sales. Recent hammer prices for the same edition from leading whisky auction houses such as Whisky Auctioneer, Unicorn Auctions and Whisky Hammer, cross-checked against Whiskybase records and private trade.
- Current demand. Who is buying now, and at what level.
We explain how we reached a figure and show you the comparable sales behind it. If we believe a public auction would serve you better for a particular bottle, we will say so.
Two ways to sell
Private placement, at market. We find a buyer for your bottle at a figure based on recent auction results. It takes longer, and you receive closer to full market value.
Fast offer, without the wait. If you would rather have certainty and speed, we make a fixed offer of 20–25% below the most recent comparable auction result. There is no haggling and no upper limit on value; funds are arranged before anything moves.
Every offer is indicative and not a binding contract. It is subject to receipt of the bottle, physical inspection and authentication, and to proof that you own it and are entitled to sell it. Offers are valid for a limited period and may be revised or withdrawn if the bottle differs from its description. Scotch Racer may decline any purchase. Nothing on this page is legal, tax or investment advice.
Discretion
We do not publish client names, collections or transactions. Bottles placed privately are not photographed for public listing without your consent. Your details are used only to handle your enquiry.
Miami · London
We work with collectors in the United States and the United Kingdom, and further afield by arrangement. Moving whisky across borders brings duty, licensing and shipping rules. We plan for these before anything moves.
Sources
- Capsule spin as a tampering sign; fill level checks: The Whisky Shop, How to spot fake whisky www.whiskyshop.com (opens in a new tab)
- Fill level, label condition and box as value factors: Mark Littler, Complete Guide to Valuing Macallan www.marklittler.com (opens in a new tab)