Without sounding too judgemental, there are some drinks out there that are considered, shall we say, “cheap and cheerful”. They’re the types of tipples we used to drink as teenagers or poor students with barely a penny to our names. Basically, they were the types of drinks we used to drink to get drunk. As long as they were alcoholic, who cared about how they tasted? Or was that just me? 

As I’ve grown older, I’m pleased to say that my tastes and preferences have changed massively. Now, whisky is my beverage of choice, and I drink to savour the complex flavours, notes, and character of the whisky, not just to get smashed and wake up the next day with the mother of all hangovers. 

When I was growing up, and to a certain extent, even today, whisky was considered a mature, luxury spirit. If you drank whisky, you were either an old man, or were posh and enjoyed the finer things in life. It’s a drink that oozes class and sophistication, despite being for everyone. 

So, why is that? Well, that’s what I want to explore in today’s blog. Here’s a look at why I believe whisky is considered to be such a luxurious spirit. 

Whisky Making is an Art

While I fully understand how difficult and complex it is to produce each and every kind of beverage going, whisky making is an artform that dates back centuries. 

In my younger years, I have to admit that I was guilty of “brewing” up my own turbo cider. Here, I’d take a brewing bucket, dump a load of value supermarket cartons of apple juice inside, sprinkle a sachet of turbo cider yeast on top, and dig in 3 days later. Take it from me, no hangover will ever compare to the hangovers that stuff used to give. 

Thankfully I grew up and discovered more about the art of whisky distillation. So much so that it became my passion, and now my livelihood. It’s how whisky was, and is made, that I believe is one of the reasons why it’s considered to be a luxury spirit. It takes literal years for whisky to become whisky, with some drams aging for decades before they hit the shelves.

Whisky distillation is an artform that can be traced back hundreds of years. It requires meticulous attention to detail and heaps of care, expertise, and craftsmanship. From how the grain is harvested, dried, and malted, to which casks are chosen for maturation, producing fine whisky is an artform that few can emulate. If you want an idea of just how much work goes into producing a fine whisky, just look at a Master Blender at work. Seriously, you’ll never see anything like it anywhere else in the world and I’m still awestruck whenever I get to watch them in action. 

True whisky aficionados know and understand how much time and effort goes into producing an exceptional dram of whisky, which I think helps give it a certain degree of prestige you won’t find with other tipples out there.

Reputation and Perception

Not only is whisky making an artform, but the drink itself is steeped in history and cultural significance. It’s Scotland’s national drink (sorry Irn-Bru) and for very good reason. 

Many of the stunning distilleries scattered across Scotland’s gorgeous landscapes can be traced back several centuries. It was a firm-favourite of the iconic Scottish lyricist and poet Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns, along with other prominent figures in history, including royalty. 

On top of that, when you see people enjoying whisky in a film or on the TV, it’s often poured out of an expensive-looking crystal decanter in a swanky setting like a stately home, and is enjoyed by wealthy, powerful, affluent characters. 

Back in the day, whisky was seen as a status symbol. Certain brands just oozed class and screamed luxury, and people were desperate to be seen enjoying them by their peers. It’s the same reason why brands of Champagne such as Bollinger, are revered all over the world. Those seen drinking it were considered rich, powerful, and cultured. People who drank whisky, especially expensive brands such as The Dalmore, and The Macallan, wanted others to perceive them as having money, as well as lavish tastes. Fast-forward to today, and not a great deal has changed, though thankfully people tend to enjoy it more for its amazing flavours and character, instead of its reputation. 

The Price

While you can’t put a price on luxury, there’s a reason why several bottles of whisky over the years have sold for upwards of £1 million – 2 million (you can probably guess which brand, and yes, many of them were Macallans). 

There’s a lot of hard work that goes into whisky making, as I know all too well, and you do find that this is reflected in the price. While you can pick up a decent bottle of wine at the supermarket for less than a tenner, you’d struggle to find a half-decent bottle of whisky for that price. 

There are plenty of drams out there that cost thousands of pounds and are worth every penny. For some people, though, the thought of spending thousands of pounds, or even hundreds, on a drink is ludicrous. Because it can be so expensive, people naturally assume that it’s a luxury spirit. Which it is. 

Does this mean that a fine bottle of whisky has to set you back hundreds, or even thousands of pounds? Absolutely not. Just take a look at the GreatDrams online shop. There aren’t many places you’ll find award-winning whisky for between £50 and £100 yet with us, and many other independent breweries and distilleries, that’s exactly what you get. 

Collectability

Finally, the last reason why I personally believe whisky has a reputation for being a luxury, high-end spirit is because it’s so collectible. 

Whisky isn’t just purchased to be consumed and enjoyed. For some, whisky is purchased to be added to a prestigious collection. As more rare and unique bottles of whisky are added to private collections, they sometimes increase in value and become increasingly sought after. 

Many of the world’s most expensive whiskies ever sold at auction weren’t sold to be drank, but rather, to become the latest addition to a private collection. Now, personally, I believe that whisky should be savoured and enjoyed, rather than just looked at, but that’s just me. 

Considering people are now investing in whisky, as well as starting their own personal collections worth thousands of pounds, you can understand why so many people associate it with wealth and luxury. 

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.