Selling rare and collectible whisky can be an exciting venture, but choosing the right platform is crucial to maximizing your returns. Two popular options are Glenbotal and Speyside Whisky Auction, both offering unique services and benefits to sellers. In this post, we’ll compare these two platforms across key areas such as pricing potential, fees, convenience, and global reach to help you make the best decision for your whisky sale.
| Feature | Glenbotal | Speyside Whisky Auction |
| Pricing Potential | On average, 40% higher than auction prices due to targeted marketing and direct buyer connections. | Auction prices depend on bidder interest; may fluctuate based on competition. |
| Fees | 15% seller commission, no fees for buyers. Transparent pricing. | £3 +VAT per bottle, £4 +VAT for reserve price, no commission. Additional fees may apply. |
| Payout Speed | ~7 days after the bottle is sent to the buyer. | Payments processed within 7-21 days after auction ends. |
| Audience Reach | Global network of collectors and investors, ensuring broader exposure and higher sale potential. | Global audience of whisky enthusiasts and collectors. |
| Sales Flexibility | List bottles for sale at any time, without waiting for auction dates. | Sellers must wait for auction schedules to list their bottles. |
| Convenience | Easy 3-step process: send bottle photos, Glenbotal handles the rest including free pickup, photography, and promotion. | Requires account creation, bottle registration, and self-managed delivery or drop-off. |
| Marketing | Extensive global marketing with professional catalogs, online listings, and targeted advertising. | Auction-based marketing with exposure during live auctions. |
| Sales Outcome | Fixed-price sales ensure predictable, reliable outcomes based on expert valuation. | Auction outcomes depend on bidding dynamics, which can be unpredictable. |
| Market Perception | Reliable platform with expert valuations and a proven record of maximizing seller profits. | Reputable auction house with a strong presence in the whisky auction scene. |
| Delivery Options | Free bottle pickup arranged by Glenbotal. | Drop-off locations or self-arranged delivery; premium collection available with fees. |
Glenbotal: Glenbotal charges a 15% seller commission, with no additional fees for buyers. This simple and transparent fee structure ensures that both parties understand the cost upfront, while also encouraging buyers to bid higher since they aren’t burdened with extra fees.
Scotch Whisky Auctions: Scotch Whisky Auctions offers 0% sellers’ commission, but there is a flat fee of £8 per bottle (including miniatures) and an optional reserve fee of £10 per lot. While attractive for sellers avoiding commissions, these flat fees can add up, especially if multiple bottles are being sold. VAT is applicable to all fees, potentially reducing overall profits.
Glenbotal: Glenbotal charges a 15% seller commission, with no additional fees for buyers. This simple and transparent fee structure ensures that both parties understand the cost upfront, while also encouraging buyers to bid higher since they aren’t burdened with extra fees.
Scotch Whisky Auctions: Scotch Whisky Auctions offers 0% sellers’ commission, but there is a flat fee of £8 per bottle (including miniatures) and an optional reserve fee of £10 per lot. While attractive for sellers avoiding commissions, these flat fees can add up, especially if multiple bottles are being sold. VAT is applicable to all fees, potentially reducing overall profits.
Glenbotal:
Once your whisky is sold and delivered to the buyer, Glenbotal processes payments within 7 days, ensuring a fast and reliable payout for sellers.
Speyside Whisky Auction:
Speyside Whisky Auction typically processes payments within 7-21 days after the auction concludes. While this timeline is fairly standard for auctions, it means sellers may have to wait up to three weeks for their payments, depending on auction schedules.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal reaches a global audience of collectors and investors through its extensive marketing efforts, ensuring that your bottles are seen by serious buyers who are willing to pay premium prices. This broad audience leads to faster sales and higher returns.
Speyside Whisky Auction:
Speyside also provides access to a global audience, primarily targeting whisky enthusiasts and collectors through its regular auction events. However, because auctions are held at specific times, exposure is limited to auction periods, which may reduce the potential audience for your bottle compared to Glenbotal’s continuous marketing.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal offers a hassle-free, full-service experience, where sellers simply submit photos of their bottles via WhatsApp, and Glenbotal handles everything from free pickup to professional marketing and photography. This hands-off process is ideal for those seeking ease and flexibility in their whisky sale.
Speyside Whisky Auction:
Selling with Speyside involves more effort on the seller’s part. Sellers need to create an account, register their bottles, and choose between drop-off locations or arrange delivery to the auction house. Speyside provides various delivery options, including a premium collection service, but the responsibility for proper packaging and handling falls on the seller.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal employs targeted global marketing campaigns, including professional catalogs, online listings, and digital advertising to ensure that your bottles reach the right audience. This extensive marketing ensures better visibility and higher sale prices.
Speyside Whisky Auction:
Speyside focuses on auction-driven promotion, primarily targeting whisky enthusiasts and collectors during its regular auction periods. While the exposure is strong during live auctions, it may not have the same continuous reach as Glenbotal’s ongoing promotional efforts.
Choose Glenbotal if you prefer a hassle-free, flexible selling experience with the potential for higher returns through targeted marketing. Glenbotal’s fixed-price model and global reach make it a strong choice for sellers looking to maximize profits with minimal effort.
Choose Speyside Whisky Auction if you prefer the traditional auction format with low registration fees and access to a whisky-focused audience. While you may need to handle more of the logistics yourself, Speyside provides a reputable platform for selling bottles through regular auctions.
Both platforms offer excellent opportunities for selling whisky, but the best choice depends on your needs—whether you value Glenbotal’s convenience and targeted approach or Speyside’s auction-driven model and lower fees.
