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 brokers 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 of 12 is based in London, in offices opposite the iconic, luxury Harrods store in Knightsbridge. Our brokers 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

Our principal income is the 10% commission we receive when you realise your investment. Sharing the journey in this way is an excellent motivation for ensuring we offer you casks with the best prospects for appreciation.

There’s another incentive. 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 & Managing Director

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.

Robin Sidhu

Head of UK Sales

Robin has many years’ experience in financial services industries. A business studies graduate of Brunel University London, he was for many years a financial advisor at Legal & General before moving into the mortgage sector and brokering.

Robin combines his investment expertise with a lifelong personal passion for whisky, supported with his WSET qualification which together have given him a deep understanding of the qualities of different malts from different regions.

Anthony Hayles

Head of International Sales

Anthony has extensive experience in alternative investments. Most recently he has been matching investors with opportunities in feature film assets. This role has seen him developing relationships and understanding the needs of high net worth investors’ goals at international film events such as the Cannes, Berlin and Toronto festivals.

A graduate of University of London, Anthony’s whisky knowledge and international business experience will support Whisky 1901’s evolving expansion into offshore markets starting with Europe and the Middle East.

Ryan Fazackerley

Director of Cask Sales

FCA registered Ryan is a seasoned whisky trader with over 10 years’ experience in global equity trading. A strong passion for the spirits industry and an impressive track record in the financial sector.

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.

Liberty Burgess-Adams

Assistant to Aaron Damiano Sparkes

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.

Our People

Our team of brokers 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 broker is certified and trained by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, one of the world’s leading authorities on wine and spirits education.

Michael Sparkes

Senior Portfolio Manager

With a number of years working in the recruitment sector, refining his communication and interpersonal skills. Mike joined the team at Whisky 1901 with a passion for scotch whisky and an unmatched ability to negotiate on sale prices for clientele. As one of the younger consultants within the company, he has an ambition and a drive to position his clients in the best stock available.

Harry Bradley

Portfolio Manager

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.

As a dedicated portfolio manager, 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.

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.

Peter Everall

Portfolio Manager

Peter's experience in wine brokerage and his passion for whisky has allowed him to guide investors in achieving their financial goals in the whisky market. He was first introduced to the depth of flavor and quality of whisky after trying a 12-year-old Caol Ila and was drawn to the deep history and pedigree of Scottish whisky after visiting Talisker on the Isle of Skye.

Gabriel Sparkes

Portfolio Manager

Gabriel has worked within the asset market for many years and thus has an unmatched insight and understanding of the spirit industry, passionate and determined, he is dedicated to helping clients build their cask portfolios.

Nicholas Carter

Junior Portfolio Manager

Nicholas has a diverse background with experience in both trading and the hospitality industry. His passion for whisky and the drinks industry is evident, and this provides him with a unique perspective when it comes to managing portfolios and advising clients on investment opportunities in this space.

Adam Zadeh

Junior 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.

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 broker is certified by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust

We are here to help build your legacy

About Whisky 1901