Whisky Prices 2026 - 18yo

Each September I complete a survey, recording the prices of a distillery's 18yo - a standard bottle which you might buy for a special occasion like a birthday.

This year's results are in - let's see how things have changed.

I remember receiving a bottle of 18yo Glenfiddich as a leaving present when I left a job a few years back - a special occasion and a special bottle of whisky - I was surprised and pleased.

But could I afford to buy a bottle of that 18yo now? Everyone has their own 'limit' on what they will spend on a bottle of whisky - everyone's circumstances and values are different. But for a special occasion you might splash out a little more and a bottle of 18yo single malt fits that category.

Personally I have a limit of £100, based on the knowledge that there are loads of great whiskies available at less than that, so why pay any more?

6 years ago I would have been able to buy an 18yo from at least 22 distilleries for that money, 3 years ago that reduced to 14, and this year it's down to 13.

18yo prices have gone up by an average of 4% since last year but surprisingly there have been a few reductions.

Largest increases:

The largest increase in the year 2025-2026 came from anCnoc: a 12.9% increase from £93 to £105.

Spey wasn't far behind with a 12.6% increase, Laphroaig was third with 9%

Smallest increases:

There were actually 23 decreases in my survey  of 40 whiskies.

The smallest increase (largest decrease) in the year 2025-2026 was from Tomatin: a 20% decrease from £110 to £88.

Auchentoshan, Macallan, Speyburn & Dalmore were around the same 15%.

Price Table:

Speyburn has taken over from Jura as the cheapest 18yo but it's down to 40% ABV now for £75, Jura's 44% bottling comes in at £77 and Deanston's 46.3% ABV at £79

Macallan still have the most expensive 'standard' 18yo at £339 (up from £399 last year), Dalmore are at £279 (down from £325 last year) and Talisker come in third at £210 (up from £209 last year).

Price changes 2021 to 2026:

Only 7 18yo's have come down in price in the last 5 years, most have had moderate increases but Dalmore and Talisker are taking the piss!

Note: all prices were taken from a major online retailer excluding any special offers, discounts or delivery.