We are here to help build your legacy

About Whisky 1901

At Whisky 1901, we can help investors build their asset portfolios. What was once only available to savvy industry insiders is now available to all.

The Whisky 1901 team blends in-depth whisky knowledge with hard-headed investment expertise. The Portfolio Managers you work with are supported by a fully resourced back office team keeping all functions, including accounts and cask management, inhouse.

Whisky cask investment in the UK is a new chapter in whisky’s centuries-old history and no-one involved can claim to have been founded in 1901!

Our name is actually an affectionate nod to our founder’s father. He introduced the Director to the joys of top-quality scotch by sharing the occasional dram of what is now his favourite whisky, a GlenDronach from cask number 1901.

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Who we are

Whisky 1901 is a leading Scotch whisky investment company. We help connect potential investors with the right cask of Scotch whisky.

Our expert team has years of financial experience and knowledge about the whisky industry. We can help investors through the process to find the best investment for them.

Founded in 2019, Whisky 1901 now works with 250+ clients and has 1,000+ whisky casks under management.

HOW WE OPERATE

Our team is based in London, in offices opposite the iconic, luxury Harrods store in Knightsbridge. Our Portfolio Managers visit Scotland several times a month, but we value the detachment physical separation offers. Whisky and the distilleries where it is created are full of romance, something that can distract from clear-headed investing.

Currently our clients are mainly although not exclusively UK-based. Our plans include extending into Europe, then moving further afield with Dubai and the Middle East.

Operating as a compact but fully resourced team ensures all our clients enjoy direct contact with key advisors and the people managing their casks through the course of their investment.

What we do

Our team deeply understands how valuable Scotch can be and we marry our financial knowledge with our deep passion for whisky, bringing our investors a measured, considered approach to investing.

We pride ourselves on our analytical process to whisky investing, where we carefully assess each variable from rarity, collectability and quality to determine the potential ROI.

We use our knowledge of the market, and our relationships with leading distilleries, to identify opportunities and purchase casks for our stock portfolio. So, when you invest in whisky in the UK with Whisky 1901, you almost always buy from our stock.

WHY WORK WITH US

We own our casks: those few we don’t sell we hold and they must make a profit for us.

To minimise risks and maximise potential, Whisky 1901 deals only with Scotland’s top 10-20 distilleries: proven creators of Scotch that is perennially in demand.

Meet the senior team

Aaron Damiano Sparkes

Founder & CEO

Aaron has built a career in whisky and wine investment over many years. In that time he has developed detailed knowledge of the workings of the industry and a valuable portfolio of high-level contacts with leading distillers.

Aaron was driven to strike out on his own by a growing dissatisfaction with the real value of some of the casks he was being required to sell as an employee. He created Whisky 1901 so he could have complete autonomy over his product offerings.

Aaron is fully certified by WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and Edinburgh Whisky Academy in Scotch Whisky.

Ryan Fazackerley

Sales Director

Ryan previously served as an FCA Approved Person, working as a Portfolio Trader in Global Equities before transitioning into the whisky market. With a strong passion for the spirits industry and an impressive track record in finance, Ryan brings a wealth of experience to the team.

Ryan has developed a deep understanding of the whisky market, both from a financial and a connoisseur's perspective. He is known for his ability to identify market trends early on and for making astute investments that deliver strong returns. Ryan's expertise in finance combined with a love for whisky make him a valuable asset to any individual looking to invest in this rapidly growing industry.

Sameera Naraghi

Financial Controller

ACCA qualified in 2004, Sameera has 17 years of experience in the financial industry and is committed to create a safe haven for Whisky Investment. She is the point of contact at Whisky 1901 for all enquiries related to financial performance for client investments.

Faye Shilston

Marketing Director

With over 10 years of experience in successful marketing campaigns, Faye is poised to lead the marketing efforts for our new products. Certified by CAP & ASA, she brings a strategic and analytical approach to online, social media, and event-driven marketing, ensuring that we reach the right audience for Whisky 1901.

Faye's mission is to push boundaries and explore new opportunities where innovation, sustainability, and ethics intersect, ultimately delivering value to our customers, stakeholders, and communities.

Harry Bradley

Head of Distribution

Harry is a seasoned professional in the alternative investment industry, having experience in both the whisky and insurance sectors. He has worked with a diverse range of clients, catering to their unique investment needs.

Harry is committed to providing exceptional client service, which has led to him becoming one of the youngest managers at the company. He goes above and beyond to secure the best investment positions for his clients, earning their trust and gratitude. Managing distribution of independent bottling for all of our clients. In addition to this, Harry also manages the independent bottling operations for all our clients.

Matt Chambers

Master of Whisky

With an impressive 17 years of experience in the Scotch whisky industry, Matt has excelled in various roles including as a retailer, influencer, writer, presenter, after-dinner speaker, and brand ambassador. His extensive experience has provided him with a deep understanding of the industry.

In recognition of his contributions to the Scotch whisky industry, Matt was appointed as Keeper of the Quaich in April 2015. This prestigious honour is a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field, making him one of the few influencers and bloggers to receive such recognition.

Since 2008, he has co-authored one of the most popular whisky blogs in the UK, Whisky for Everyone, which has also gained international recognition.

Our People

Our team of Portfolio Managers all have decades of experience in investing and their financial knowledge is unparalleled. Alongside a keen knowledge and interest in whisky, they can give investors expert guidance on the Scottish whisky industry.

In fact, each Whisky 1901 Portfolio Manager is certified and trained by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, one of the world’s leading authorities on wine and spirits education.

Matthew De Souza

Portfolio Manager

With a very bubbly and social character, Matthew is able to converse with people from many different walks of life - whether on the telephone or face to face.

Using a calm, consultative approach and telephone manner, Matthew is able to iron out concerns and questions as a first priority, bringing clarity to what could easily be a daunting first time investment for those new to Whisky cask investments.

Adam Zadeh

Portfolio Manager

Adam is a hardworking and motivated people's person with a proven track record in both B2C and B2B sales. A recent serendipitous event inspired him to move into asset investments. He takes pride in helping find opportunities for clients to invest.

Jake Cooper

Portfolio Manager

At Whisky 1901, my focus lies on leveraging market insights and financial expertise to advise on whisky cask investments. With a solid foundation from Herefordshire and Ludlow College, creativity and problem-solving are my core competencies, enabling me to navigate the complex whisky and financial markets adeptly.

As a Liveryman and a recipient of the Freedom of the City, my commitment extends to representing Whisky 1901 from fostering trust to delivering value to our esteemed clientele.

Liberty Burgess-Adams

Assistant to CEO

With extensive experience, Liberty joined the Whisky 1901 team to oversee various administrative tasks. Her responsibilities include managing diaries, handling contracts and invoices, as well as assigning portfolio managers to clients. Additionally, she takes charge of organising the quarterly whisky tasting events, which are highly anticipated by our members and serve as a significant highlight for our organisation. Her attention to detail and organisational skills contribute to the smooth functioning of our operations.

Tilly Jardine-Brown

Team Assistant

As office Team Assistant, Tilly plays a vital role in complying all Whisky 1901 sales as well processing client paperwork. Day to day tasks including managing staff expenses, preparing team documents and taking charge of general office administration including but not limited to, health and safety as well ensuring stock for the office is ordered.

Credentials

Find Out More

WOWGR License

Whisky 1901 is one of the few businesses in the UK to hold a WOWGR licence. A WOWGR licence grants permission for a business to own, buy and sell goods in duty suspension in a bonded warehouse. The application process is rigorous and any applicants must undergo a financial audit. Investing with Whisky 1901 means that all our investors will work with an expert who has been audited and approved by HMRC.

ICO

We are a registered company with ICO (Information Commissioner's Office), and we practise stringent data protection. All our investors’ data and investments are in safe hands and we would never sell their data to a third party.

Lawyers

Making a large investment can be incredibly daunting, but at Whisky1901, we recognise the importance of legal support, and we ensure that our investors will always be in safe hands. Our long-term legal partners guides our investors through the legal process and helps them navigate all the legal jargon. These lawyers are responsible for confirming the casks' transfer of ownership from Whisky1901 to the customer. We advise, consult and guide our investors through the process to ensure that all their questions are answered and they feel secure in their financial decisions.

Forbes Official Member 2022

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honours.

WSET certified

Every Portfolio Manager is certified by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust

We are here to help build your legacy

About Whisky 1901