Bottle of Port Ellen single malt whisky, limited edition, against a dark background

Whisky Monthly Update June 2026: bottom holds steady for a year

The secondary whisky market closed the first half of 2026 on a quietly positive note. In this update, the key figures for June, and how they fit the picture we outlined earlier this year.

Stijn de Smit · 1 July 2026 · 3 min read

  • Single malt
  • Beleggen
  • Whisky

Whiskystats figures June 2026

Almost 29,600 bottles changed hands at tracked auctions, around 4,000 fewer than in May, while total trading value rose from €9.7 to €10.5 million. The Whiskystats Whisky Index (the 500 most-traded whiskies historically) gained 2.6% in market value. Scotch (+3.3%) and Irish Whiskey (+4%) were firmly in the green, while Japanese whisky declined for the third consecutive month (−1.1%). Port Ellen stood out positively, up 3.7% in June and 10.5% year-to-date, while broader brands such as Macallan (+0.7% YTD) remained largely flat.

A year of stabilisation, after two years of decline

As a wealth manager focused exclusively on Scotch single malt whisky, we track our portfolio against Whiskystats’ Scotland index specifically: this depicts the value changes of the historically 500 most traded whiskies from Scotland each month, and therefore best reflects our own focus.

On a twelve-month basis, that Scotland index stands at roughly +0.72%, essentially flat, and is up a fraction since the start of 2026, at around +0.5%. This mirrors exactly the pattern we first flagged earlier this year: after two years of sharp corrections, we noted the first signs of a market finding its floor and stabilising. A year on, the figures confirm that picture: the market is moving sideways, at a lower but calmer level, with more maturity on both the buyer and seller side.

The nuance still matters: these are broad index figures, not a guarantee for any individual bottle or cask. Value development varies by name, release, and timing.

Conclusion

For the long-term investor, what matters is not any single month’s headline, but the broader picture: a market that, after two years of decline, has now been stabilising for a year. For investors with a long time horizon, such a stabilisation phase, following a period of correction, can represent an interesting entry point, though this always depends on the individual investor’s situation and objectives. Within that market, selection remains decisive: provenance and rarity matter. Not every bottle moves with the broader index; it is the carefully chosen, scarce names with verifiable provenance that make the difference over the long term. Quality over quantity remains the core principle.

About Scotch Whisky Investments

Scotch Whisky Investments has specialised in investing in Scotch single malt whisky since 2002. We manage over €350 million in assets and have operated under AFM licence since 2014. More than 1,600 investors build a portfolio of physical bottles and casks through us, retaining legal ownership while we handle the specialist work, from selection and provenance verification to storage in Scotland. Want to know more about what a whisky portfolio could look like for you? Feel free to arrange a no-obligation introductory meeting.

This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. Investing carries risks, including value fluctuations and limited liquidity. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Source: Whiskystats.com

Frequently asked questions

How did the whisky market perform in June 2026?

In June, almost 29,600 bottles changed hands at tracked auctions, around 4,000 fewer than in May, while total trading value rose from €9.7 to €10.5 million. The Whiskystats Whisky Index gained 2.6% in market value.

What does the Whiskystats Scotland index show?

On a twelve-month basis the Scotland index stands at roughly +0.72%, essentially flat, and is up around +0.5% since the start of 2026. After two years of corrections, the market has been moving sideways for a year, at a lower but calmer level.

Is now a good time to invest in whisky?

For investors with a long time horizon, a stabilisation phase following a correction can represent an interesting entry point. However, this always depends on the individual situation and objectives. Investing carries risks and past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Does every bottle move with the index?

No. Index figures are broad and are not a guarantee for any individual bottle or cask. Value development varies by name, release and timing; provenance and rarity are decisive for long-term returns.

Why does Scotch Whisky Investments focus on the Scotland index?

Because we focus exclusively on Scotch single malt whisky. The Scotland index (the 500 most-traded Scotch whiskies historically) therefore best reflects our portfolio focus.

Read more

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