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Sell Your Cask of Macallan Whisky

Macallan casks are by far the most sought-after single malt whisky casks on the market. Figures in excess of £300,000 per cask are now common for Macallan, with most of the demand being driven by the Asian market.

Macallan began focusing on the production and sale of single malt whisky in the early 1980’s. Prior to this most of their output had been sold for use in blends, something most people find hard to believe today.

Most Macallan casks were released to the public in the early 1990’s, often via brokers, and some for less than £1,000. Their casks were still expensive compared to others on the market, but their strict use of the very best sherry casks and excellent cask management has proven them to be a worthwhile investment in the long term.

We specialise in the sale of Macallan casks and have buyers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, China and the Middle East as these are the markets where Macallan demand the best prices. 

The most desirable Macallan casks are fresh fill sherry oak casks, however, refill sherry casks are also in demand and can still sell for £100,000+. Bourbon casks (not as common at Macallan) do not command the same premium as sherry casks as they are not as sought after by the Asian market however they can still demand high prices.

Macallan Cask Values & Valuations

We have sold millions of pounds of casks for our customers, consistently achieving the best price for all types of whisky cask. We help you sell your cask for the best price by going direct to our extensive network of buyers.

We pride ourselves on our open and friendly approach to selling a cask of whisky. No question is too small and we are happy to offer complimentary valuations on your cask and expert advice on how to achieve the best price when selling your cask.

At Mark Littler we are committed to providing the foremost independent whisky brokerage service in the UK.

MACALLAN CASK VALUATION

Are you looking for a valuation on a cask you own or are looking to sell?  Enter your details below and we will provide you with a free open market valuation of your cask.

Whisky Cask Valuation Form

What affects the value of a cask of Macallan whisky?

There are a large number of interlinking factors that impact the final valuation of a cask of whisky. It is a combination of all the following features that can make a cask expensive, or worthless:

Bottles & Mementos From Your Cask

After waiting decades for your cask of Macallan to mature wouldn’t it be nice to keep a bottle or two? That’s what we think too and as long as we know the number of bottles you want to keep (up to 6 is normally fine) we can work that into the negotiations.  

We have worked with the award-winning designer Tom Niklin to design an incredible label for our clients bottles. Tom has worked with the likes of Johnnie Walker, Singleton, Bulleit, Haig, Royal Lochnagar, Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin and Talisker.

This means that when you get your memento from your cask it will look like any other premium bottle of whisky you would find in a whisky retailer. We also have personalisation labels so you can use your bottles as special gifts.

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We worked with the award-winning designer Tom Niklin to design our bespoke labels for our client’s bottles.

How to Sell Your Macallan Cask for the Best Price

We achieve market-beating prices for Macallan casks by finding you the perfect end-user for your cask.  We work our networks in Europe, the USA, the Middle East, and Asia to find the person whose requirements perfectly match those of your cask.  This means it can take a few weeks for us to get offers for your cask, but as you most likley have waited several decades for the cask to mature we hope you can wait a few more weeks.

The majority of our clients are based in Asisa where any form of Single Malt Scotch Whisky is now positioned as one of the most sought-after assets. It is the demand from Asia that has driven record prices for casks culminating in the sale of a 1988 Macallan cask which sold for over £1,000,000 in 2022, and the Ardbeg cask which sold to an Asian customer for £16million, also in 2022.  As whisky is now seen as a status symbol the ultra wealthy see casks of whisky as the ultimate status symbol.

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If you have a cask you would like valued please use the form below or contact Mark Littler direct at: [email protected]

Sell Your Macallan Cask With Mark Littler Ltd.

The process for selling your Macallan cask with Mark Littler Ltd is straightforward, we can offer help and advice at every stage of the journey.

The Cask Selling Process

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Please send the details of your Macallan cask to [email protected] alternatively please use the form below. 

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Once we have the relevant details from your cask we provide an initial valuation, then work with our network of international buyers to negotiate the best offers for your consideration.

Sell A Cask of Whisky (3)

If you decide to proceed with the offer we will make sure you understand the process and issue you with a contract. At this stage we can work with you to draw off a number of bottles for personal use.

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We manage all transfer paperwork and guide you through the selling process stage by stage. Once the paperwork has been transferred to the new owners we release the funds to you.

Reviews

Below are a few of the testimonials we have received from happy clients.  You can find these reviews and hundreds more on Google, Facebook and Yell.

roy B.
08:08 15 Apr 23
Selling my cask with Mark Little was easy. Details of the process and the costs were explained clearly and I was kept informed as the sale progressed.
Dafydd C.
10:14 05 Apr 23
Selling a hogshead of whisky cask, I considered a broker to be a better bet than selling through auction (with all it's uncertainties). A good decision on my part. Excellent service from beginning to end. Mark kept in touch throughout the whole process, from the initial phone conversation about valuation (he was spot on by the way!), to talking me through the final selling stage. Completely seamless from my end. I wish I had another cask to sell! No hesitation to recommend Mark and his... team.read more
Ian F.
20:46 18 Mar 23
Great service from Mark and his team in selling my whisky cask. Each step of the process was explained and went very smoothly to achieve a good result for me.Thanks again.
Johannes W.
11:49 10 Mar 23
I sold a cask via Mark and must say he is an absolute professional. From the start of the consultation to the closure of the deal and payments everything was perfect. If you want to sell or buy a cask I would highly recommend Mark.
John G.
04:11 15 Nov 22
Just completed the sale of my cask through Mark Littler and with assistance from Hannah Thompson. A very efficient process which achieved my sale expectations. Both provided a friendly and knowledgeable service and are highly recommended
Robert W.
05:17 03 Aug 22
Special and rare cask sold professionally. Kept me up to date throughout the process. Great result.
Grant J.
14:24 23 May 22
First class service from Mark and his team from start to finish.Knowledgeable and innovative when selling 60 bottles of single cask whisky for me.
Mike K
11:26 19 May 22
I used Mark Littler to help me sell two casks of whiskey and was very happy with the service and outcome. Very friendly, professional and helpful throughout the process and they achieved a what I believe was a very good price for me. Highly recommended
Mick T
11:07 02 Nov 21
Having bought a cask of whisky back in 2004 we decided that this year was the year to sell it. I approached three different brokers and it wasn't a hard decision to ask Mark to arrange the sale for us. It wasn't only that he said he could achieve the best price for the cask but his professional manor and clear level of knowledge.To sales process was relatively simple with excellent communication throughout. He assisted us with drawing several bottles prior to sale and the logistics of moving... the cask.Overall a first class service and if you are wondering he achieved slightly more than the suggested sale price. This was over three times what the first broker offered and 50% more than the second.read more
Ruari T.
18:13 04 Oct 21
Mark was both patient and professional, initially advising and then successfully selling a whisky cask. He, and his staff, talked me through the process, highlighting both opportunities and pitfalls, with simplicity and the minimum of jargon. Mark is extremely knowledgeable on both the distillery side and the market, evident with the excellent price achieved.
Paul A.
18:00 03 Sep 21
I have used Mark Littler Ltd for a number of whisky cask purchases. He runs a friendly, approachable and customer-focused company, and is always ready to help with any issues or questions. He is a charming and professional broker, and understands the market and the needs of his customers. Above all, he listens and offers sound guidance which I always pay attention to .Absolutely brilliant company to do business with, will use again and again and have no hesitation in recommending Mark Littler... Ltd. Outstanding,read more
David T.
08:00 17 Aug 21
Mark recently sold two casks of mature whisky on my behalf. The service that he provided from start to finish was exemplary. His care and customer focus was faultless, explaining every step in the process and continually updating me on progress. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mark as the perfect person to deal with your sale.
Pål Andreas D.
08:07 15 Jul 21
We wanted to buy a private whisky cask. Mark was very helpful to get a good deal done and about a year ago we became proud owners of a cask of whisky. Just received samples. Very excited and looking forward to see how the whisky matures.
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QUICK MACALLAN CASK VALUATION

Are you looking for a quick valuation on a Macallan cask you own or are looking to sell?  Enter your details below and we will provide you with a free, no-obligation, open market valuation of your cask.

Whisky Cask Valuation Form

Macallan Cask Selling FAQ

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Mark Littler Whisky Broker

Why choose Mark Littler to Sell Your Whisky Cask?

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Trusted Brokers

At Mark Littler Ltd we sell your Macallan cask to make a profit for you. We are an independent whisky broker and we are different from other cask selling services in that we help you sell your cask direct to the end-user, which means we can get you the best price for your cask. Many other cask selling services buy your cask and then resell it themselves, which means it is not in their interest to get you the best price. Our fees are a flat 10% so you know exactly what to expect when you sell your cask through us.

Don’t just take our word for it. Mark Littler Ltd was established in 2016 and we have over 300 five-star reviews on Google, Facebook and Yell from our contented customers. We understand that selling a cask is a significant transaction and can offer independent references on demand.

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Delivering Profit to Our Customers

Our international network of buyers ensures we can match your cask with the right consumer to get you the best possible price for your whisky cask. Our extensive network of buyers means we consistently deliver offers that are higher than those put forward by distilleries or other brokers. We work on a flat 10% commission rate, no hidden costs, just us ensuring you get the most out of your cask.

Already have an offer on your cask? Our advice is completely free and as part of our drive to increase transparency in the cask industry we would be more than happy for you to get in touch for a no-obligation chat about selling your whisky cask.

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Experience Your Cask

As well as ensuring that selling your whisky cask is a straightforward experience, because of our exclusive industry contacts we can offer a series of unique opportunities when you sell your cask with us.

  1. Keep 1-6 bottles of your cask, at cost
  2. Have just a portion of your cask bottled
  3. Get a custom cask head as a memento of your cask

Bottle up to 6 bottles at cost (plus duty, VAT and bottling fees (aprox. £10-£20 per bottle for a bespoke label design), which can be deducted from the final profit from your cask. If you would like to bottle more than 6 bottles we can also arrange part bottling of your cask. If you would like any bottles from your cask please let us know at the start of the process so we can let any potential buyer know.

Independent Macallan Whisky Cask Valuations

In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can.

All of our valuations are without obligation.  You can also call the Mark Littler direct on 01260 218718

Whisky Cask Valuation Form

The History of The Macallan Distillery

Macallan’s story starts all the way back in 1824, when Alexander Reid obtained a licence to distill on the site after the 1823 Excise Act was passed. The ownership of the plant passed to James Stuart in 1868 and he decided to overhaul and rebuild the plant. 

In 1892, James Stuart sold Macallan to Roderick Kent – a distilling mogul –  who previously owned Talisker. The distillery stayed in the family until 1996 when Highland Distillers (now Edrington) bought Macallan. 

Macallan has seen a number of expansions since its inception. In 1954 the original two stills were increased to five and then in 1965 a new stillhouse was built and seven new stills were installed. By 1975 Macallan had 21 stills at their disposal. 

Macallan whisky was mostly used in blends up until the 1980s. This period saw a downturn in the market for blends, and so Macallan decided to focus more heavily on single malt expressions in order to survive. Macallan did extremely well at rebranding as a single malt, and is now considered one of the most luxurious whiskies in the world. 

In the first instance, a rebranding team decided to market Macallan as a ‘first-growth whisky’. Before long, Macallan were offering bespoke casks using specific trees – mostly from northern Spain – to create their casks, drying these casks for a very specific length of time, and seasoning with Oloroso sherry. The use of these so-called bespoke casks helped curate the image of Macallan as a luxury brand that took great care in creating their whisky. 

Further adding to the image of Macallan as a luxury brand like no other are the number of limited edition and special releases that have come from Macallan in recent decades. For example, the Fine & Rare series contained a bottle that dated back to 1926. The Macallan Exceptional Single Cask Series contains whiskies hand-selected by Macallan’s Master Blenders for use in the series because of their excellent and unparalleled quality. There have also been 40, 50, and 60-year-old bottlings. 

In 2013, Macallan announced a new distillery would be built. The new distillery – costing £140 million – would be an undulating subterranean design. It opened officially in 2018.

Distillery Specific Pages

We can help sell casks from all distilleries, find out more about selling your specific cask of whisky on our specialised distillery pages.