Why 25 Year-Old Scotch Is So Expensive

Last night Business Insider got to taste three Scotch whiskys technically old enough to vote in these United States of America - The Glenlivit 18, The Glenlivit 21, and the Glenlivit 25.

It was a privilege - mostly because these whiskys are absolutely delicious, but also partly because they're super expensive. It all depends on where you live, but a bottle of the 18 can cost you a bit less than $100, the 21 will cost you a little more than $150, and the 25 could cost you over $350.

And it isn't just because they're old, though age makes the whiskys taste better. The wood from the barrels a scotch (or any Whisky) is aged in tends to break down the rougher flavors in the alcohol, leaving you with a smother taste.

The longer the alcohol is in there, the smoother it gets. And yes, that is lovely.

But that's not the main reason why older scotch is more expensive. Glenlivit brand ambassador Craig Bridger explained that by the time the 21 year has aged, 30-40% of what was in barrels is gone. This is because of 'Angel's Share' - the natural evaporation of the liquid into the atmosphere over time.

In other words, old Scotch whisky is expensive not because it's old, but because it's rare. A lot of what a distillery starts with makes it into a bottle.

Stupid, greedy angels.