High-end collectible whisky has seen a strong rise in value over the past 12 months, according to figures revealed by Rare Whisky 101's Icon 100 Index.

With S&P500-beating returns, whisky casks could replace wine cases in collectors' cellars

The index tracks the price performance of 100 iconic bottles that are heavily traded at auction. Comprising all scotch, it encompasses 31 of the country's top distilleries.

The index has risen by 18.7% in the past 12 months to September 2014, with a 2.5% increase in September alone.

The index has been tracking bottles since 2008, with a total increase of 172.8% since its inception. That equates to an impressive growth of 19.1% per annum, a figure that outperforms the S&P500's annual returns in every year of the same period except 2013 and 2009.

Prices in the company's Vintage 50 Index, charting the performance of the oldest and rarest bottles of single malt scotch ever released, look even more promising, despite a decline of 1.2% in September.

The index has seen growth of 21.8% since September 2013, with a 215.5% increase in value since 2013 - a 22.1% increase.

In July, Spink Hong Kong set a world record for a cask of whisky, after it sold a 1991 Macallan for $206,440. Hong Kong is the the whisky buying capital, with Sotheby's selling a Macallan M Decanter for $628,205 in January - the current world record for a bottle at auction.

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