In 2023 Macallan announced its new travel retail series: The Macallan Colour Collection. Many wondered if that marked the end of Macallan’s other travel retail exclusive: The Macallan Quest Series. While it appears that the Quest series will continue to be sold alongside the Colour Collection, many may still be wondering if it is worth seeking them out in auction?
The Quest Collection
There are four bottles in the Macallan Quest collection. These are:
- Macallan Quest, 70cl, 40% ABV
- Macallan Lumina, 70cl, 41.3% ABV
- Macallan Terra, 70cl, 43.8% ABV
- Macallan Engima, 70cl, 44.9% ABV
The collection was announced in 2017 and rolled out exclusively for travel retail in 2018, replacing the 1824 collection. The collection was created to celebrate Macallan’s search for the very best oak for their casks.
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Macallan Quest
The Macallan Quest is the namesake of the series, and as the first bottle to be announced, represents the beginning of Macallan’s journey to source the best oak from which to fashion their casks.
According to the Macallan website, a number of cask types were used to make this expression: “American bourbon casks are combined with hand-picked sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, and hogsheads”.
The Macallan Quest originally retailed for $64. The record auction price for a standard bottle (not a gift set bottle) is £231 in August 2023 and currently the price sits around £90 – £100.
Macallan Lumina
The Macallan Lumina represents the direction of Macallan’s journey to find the best oak for their casks, from Europe to America. The striking and slightly larger box with gold gilt highlights reflects this release as the most premium within the collection. The Lumina was matured in “sherry-seasoned American & European oak, & hogsheads”
The Original RRP for this bottle was $100. The record price for the Lumina was set in 2018 and sits at £220 (excluding buyers premium). If you’re not heading through travel retail any time soon you can buy a bottle at auction for around £90 – £120 (excluding buyer’s premium and shipping).
Macallan Terra
Next up is the Macallan Terra. This bottle apparently represents “the story of discovery through a complex, yet balanced single malt, matured in exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks, whose journey spans 10,000 miles”.
Despite the apparent emphasis on the casks, there seem to be conflicting reports on which casks were used to mature the Terra. ScotchWhisky.com says that, for maturation of the Terra, “Casks are exclusively first-fill sherry seasoned casks from the Tevasa and Vasyma families of wood suppliers from Jerez de la Frontera”. According to Macallan, the Terra was matured in first-fill American Oak casks “from two of the most distinguished family cooperages”. So, which is it, sherry seasoned or first-fill American oak? Who owns the cooperages? And where did these conflicting reports come from?
The original retail price for the Terra was $165. Around 120 bottles have been sold in 2023 alone, with the prices hovering around £110-£160, following a record price of £371 in February 2018.
Macallan Enigma
The Macallan Enigma represents the pinnacle of the Quest Collection journey. This whisky was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez de la Frontera. The packaging displays the cross-section of an oak tree, paying homage to the casks that mature Macallan whisky. The striking and slightly larger box with gold gilt highlights reflects this release’s position as the most premium whisky within the collection.
The Original RRP for this bottle was $250. The record price for the Enigma was set in 2018 at £394 (excluding buyers premium). If you’re not heading through travel retail any time soon you can buy a bottle at auction for around £170 – £300 (excluding buyer’s premium and shipping).
Is The Macallan Quest Collection Worth Investing In?
Looking at the auction data for each bottle, the largest annual shift in pricing is for the Terra, which saw a +2% average annual shit from 2018-2023. This is still a very small margin, and since 2023 the auction prices for the quest collection appear to have stabilized/stagnated.
If you are considering investing in whisky bottles then the Quest collection would be a neutral choice. The cross market prices in 2025 are at their lowest in two years, but this gives potential scope for future increases. Plus the entry price for this collection is relatively small there is less risk there. However the unknown release volumes and the collection’s lack of features that define “collectable” bottles make large increases less likely.
The Macallan Quest Collection is the perfect example of how Macallan has marketed itself as luxury brand as well as a drink. With it’s attractive packaging and easy entry price these bottles would make a statement within a collection, but is perhaps better suited to drink rather than invest.
That being said, as long as you have realistic expectations and understanding that these are really drinking whiskies, then as a long term hold or entry level purchase the Quest Collection would be fine. But with all investments, don’t spend more than you are willing to lose.
What Is Your Whisky Worth
Do you want to know what your whisky is worth but don’t know where to start?
Use these guides to help you.
What Is Your Whisky Worth? – An in-depth look at the factors affecting your bottle’s value.
A Beginner’s Guide To Selling Whisky – Everything you need to get started selling your whisky including all the online selling options.
How To Sell Whisky Online – A guide to getting a valuations and selling your whisky.
Sell Your Whisky Today – A simple way to sell your whisky fast.
Macallan Specific Guides
The Complete Guide To Valuing Macallan Whisky – Selling Macallan? This is your starting point.
What Is Macallan Whisky Worth? – Unsure of your Macallan’s value? Begin here
