How much is a cask investment?

Ryan Fazackerley, Director of Sales at Whisky 1901

by Ryan Fazackerley
Director of Sales
30.05.2024

How do you know which cask and when?

Depending on what you are after, investing in a Cask of Whisky could set you back anywhere between £5,000 and £100,000, but how do you know which cask and when?

Cask Investment

If you are investing with Whisky 1901, we would recommend starting anywhere between £5,000 and £8,000. From this amount you would be investing in a cask aged between 3-10 years (to be called Scotch Whisky, the spirit must mature in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years), from one of the top distilleries that we work with. Our commitment to working with only the top distilleries in Scotland, ensures the best quality of casks for our clients.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association “some 22 million casks lie maturing in warehouses in Scotland waiting to be discovered – that is around 12bn 70cl bottles” – approximately four for every person living there. The majority of these casks are retained by a distillery for their own single malt releases or sold wholesale.

Similar to other alternative investments such as gold, fine wine and art, the value of whiskies lies in their scarcity coupled with rising demand. When researching potential cask investments multiple factors come in to play, such as the type of wood used can impact the value significantly; for instance, an ex-bourbon cask holds a different worth compared to an ex-sherry cask. It is also important to work with reputable distilleries, as their individual merit and prestige can often impact the value throughout a cask’s lifetime. At Whisky 1901, we only work with the top 20-40 in Scotland, these are owned by brands such as Diageo, Suntory Holdings and Edrington Group. These brands stand out as they invest their money back into marketing and Scottish tourism, which in turn, increases the brand value and credibility.

Quality is paramount and we ensure that each cask on our books is of the highest standards and are stored securely at our lowland bond facility. When you invest with Whisky 1901, we work closely with you to find the right cask.

As a Whisky Cask Investment firm, we have access to a wider range of casks that would usually be off limits to the general public. This expands our clients’ chances of finding the perfect investment for them. Plus, when you choose to sell, having a cask from this wider range can be financially advantageous, as it reduces the potential competition in the market, which theoretically would lead to greater returns.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us today at [email protected].

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