Every day, the world over, people raise a glass of whisky and toast to good health, success, or even just to seeing through another day. Whisky is a world class drink that is given the same respect on all sides of the globe. But not everyone is too happy to open a bottle. Some people prefer to buy a bottle, knowing the quality of the beverage inside, but will let both its fl avour and its value improve over time.

This is the whisky collector – someone who generally has a fi ne appreciation and enjoyment for drinking whisky, but also has the fi nger on the pulse when it comes to recognising a release that will prove to be an auction room favourite in years to come. McTear’s auctioneers in Glasgow have become renowned for holding four key Whisky, Wine and Port auctions annually, with collectors all over the world making the journey to Scotland to bid. ‘We fi nd there are people from all different backgrounds buying whisky,’ says Andrew Bell, Head of Whisky and Wine with McTear’s. ‘At our most recent sale we had one collector from the north of England who has over 1,000 bottles, and another serious collector who came over from Italy to make specifi c purchases. We fi nd that collectors do their research and will know what they are going to bid for when they arrive.’

So what is selling well at the moment? Without a doubt, no whisky auction would be complete without the name Macallan in the listings. ‘Macallan has been one of the strongest whiskies,’ says Andrew. ‘We recently sold a 50- year-old Macallan for £4,400. Every now and again we get a 1946 or 1948 vintage which will usually go for around £1,200.’ He adds: ‘Now and again another whisky will claim the top spot – we sold an 1850 Mutter Bowmore for £29,000 in our September 2007 sale and a 62-year-old Dalmore for over £25,000 in 2002.’ These prices may be out of the majority of collectors reach, but Andrew says that anyone trying to start a collection could begin with a £50 budget. ‘My advice would be to keep your fi rst spend to below £50 and to look for a few smaller bottlings here and there,’ he says. ‘If your budget increases then look at splashing out on distillery owned and limited editions. There is quite a whisky community out there, so you often hear of forthcoming releases through word of mouth. I am secretary of the Glasgow Whisky Club and when we meet up everyone will have some information to share about a whisky, so it’s good to join a club like that or attend tastings. It is a good way to meet like-minded souls.’

A look through McTear’s June whisky sales results proves there are bargains to be found – an SS Politician Decanter sold for £85, while two bottles of Port Ellen 1978, both from the Decanter Collection, sold for £80 and £90. By coincidence, each of these features decanters, but how important is original presentation packaging? ‘The original packaging is great to have but it does not affect the price a great deal,’ confi des Andrew. ‘I would never expect to see bottles from 50 years ago with perfect boxes and perfect labels. I would never give a bottle a lower estimate if the packaging was missing or damaged – it is what is on the inside that counts.’

The question of the airtight quality of the decanter must also be considered: ‘Like wine, whisky does start to fall away once the bottle has been opened, though it is much slower with whisky. This is why you should never save the last dram in your bottle for a special occasion. By the time you drink it, it might not be the beautiful malt you fi rst opened.’ As with any collection, Andrew suggests buying a whisky that you would like to drink yourself in case its value does not greatly increase and you decide to keep it. However, he adds that you must also store it correctly in order to preserve the contents. ‘You should keep the bottle upright so that the cork does not touch the spirit and keep it at a constant temperature away from bright light or electricity.My own collection is hidden at the back of a wardrobe,’ he smiles.

With that in mind, we’ll raise a glass and toast the continued love affair with one of our greatest commodities. Slainte. *McTear’s will hold their next Fine, Rare and Collectable Whisky on 18 September. For details contact Andrew Bell on 0141 810 2880 or see www.mctears.co.uk

FACT FILE Andrew Bell recommends attending whisky festivals or tastings in order to get a flavour for the drink before buying. Here are a few held throughout the year to consider: Dufftown Autumn Whisky Festival – 26-29 September 2008 (www.spiritofspeyside.com) Whisky Live – SECC, Glasgow – 31 October and 1 November 2008 (www.whiskylive.com) Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – usually held during May (www.spiritofspeyside.com) Whisky An’ A’ That – usually held during May – contact Robbie’s Drams, Ayr (www.robbiesdrams.com) Islay Festival of Malt and Music – week-long event, starting last weekend in May (www.feis.streamlinenettrial.co.uk) Whisky Fringe – held during Edinburgh Festivals - contact Royal Mile Whiskies, Edinburgh for details (www.royalmilewhiskies.com)