The Brora Annual Releases became highly sought after with drinkers and collectors despite the original Brora distillery closing in 1983.
The first Brora Annual Release was revealed in 2002 and the final one was in 2017, shortly before the 2018 announcement that the iconic highland distillery would reopen. There are 16 bottles in the series, with age statements ranging from 25 to 38 years old. Unlike the Port Ellen annual releases, Brora special releases don’t have vintages. Each release was a limited edition, with numbers between 1,500 and 3,000 depending on the release year.
The popularity of this series with drinkers and collectors was crucial in the decision to reopen the distillery. The reopening in 2021 was marked with the super premium Brora Triptych, suggesting that Diageo’s plan is to maintain Brora as one of its premium single malts. This is likely to make the Annual Releases even more popular with collectors as the brand grows.
If you are looking to sell a Brora Annual Release then we can help. Read on for an analysis of the recent market for bottles from Brora’s Annual Releases and use the form below to receive a free valuation and advice on how to sell your bottle in 2025.
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Please use the form below to submit images of your bottle and receive a free, no-obligation valuation from a specialist auctioneer. We will also actively seek the highest offer from our network of private collectors to help you sell your whisky.
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Brora Annual Release: Market Analysis
The number of releases and the limited edition numbers for each release means that there is a steady supply of Annual Releases at auction, although some years are more rare than others. For this analysis we looked at 179 Brora Annual Release bottles sold at auction houses worldwide between April 2023 and March 2025. The two years of data provides a comprehensive insight into the recent performance of this highly sought-after single malt scotch.
The auction values for Brora Annual releases demonstrate remarkable stability compared to broader whisky market trends. Rather than value being determined by release year, it is the older expressions within the series that tend to maintain premium positioning. The 38 Year Old (2016 Release) consistently achieves £1,700 to £2,000, while the 37 Year Old (2015 Release) commands £1,500 to £1,800 and the 35 Year Old releases from 2012 to 2014 maintain strong prices between £1,400 and £1,700. The inaugural 2002 30 Year Old release commands a consistent premium of £1,550 to £1,950—higher than subsequent 30 Year Old releases—reflecting its historical significance.
Age-related pricing hierarchy remains predictable. However, the youngest expression—the 25 Year Old released in 2008—has shown the steepest proportional decline (20-25%) from peak 2022-2023 prices. For those looking to buy or drink, this release represents a value opportunity at £850 to £1,000.
Regional performance differences are evident, with UK auction houses typically achieving 5-15% higher hammer prices than their EU counterparts for identical bottles. US auctions show the most significant discount at 15-25% below UK prices, though with limited sample size.
Recent market trends indicate moderate price softening (10-15%) across most expressions since early 2023, with the most significant corrections occurring in mid-era/mid-age-statement releases. However, prices appear to have stabilized in the past six months, suggesting market equilibrium has been reached for this series. The oldest whiskies in the series, particularly the 38, 37, and 35 Year Olds, continue to demonstrate resilience.
For collectors who acquired these bottles before 2022, current conditions present a favourable selling opportunity, particularly for rarer and older expressions. While prices may have retreated from their absolute peaks, they remain historically strong and have shown more stability than many other closed distillery releases.
How to Sell Your Brora Annual Release?
As the data above shows, it is important to choose the right time and place to sell your bottle from the Brora Annual Releases series. Not all auctions can generate the same results and choosing the right place to sell is important.
If you complete the contact form above, we can connect you with a specialist auctioneer who will provide a free, no-obligation valuation and expert advice on selling your bottle. The best whisky auctioneers will offer a free of charge collection service if you have a number of bottles, or even offer access to their own courier service if you just have a few.
Auctions often take place each month and commission varies from 5-10%+VAT and listing fees. The benefits of auction are a near guaranteed sale (if the reserve is sensible) and a quick payout after the sale. The auctioneer will advise on a suitable reserve in advance of the sale.
Alternatively, you may consider selling to a retailer. However, retailers typically offer around 30–50% of their listed price due to factors like VAT, corporation tax, and slow stock turnover, which can impact their buying decisions more than you might expect. If you sell to a retailer you will be expected to post the bottle to them yourself, although they might help with this too. Payment terms will be quick, but you will likely have to contact around 5-10 retailers to ensure you get the best possible price.
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Sell Your Whisky Today – A simple way to sell your whisky fast.
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