Roll out the barrels: meet the new generation of cask whisky investors
No longer the late-night tipple of choice for the older generation, whisky is increasingly appealing to a younger – and female – audience.
One of the most expensive purchases in recent years was made by a female collector in Asia; last July the anonymous connoisseur paid a whopping £16m for just one cask of single malt dating back to November 1975 from the Ardbeg distillery on Islay.
In fact, almost a third of investors with Vintage Acquisitions, the UK’s largest stockist of premium grade Scotch whisky casks, are women while half of their investors are aged between 25 and 44.
Thanks to David Beckham promoting Haig whisky and UFC star Conor McGregor, who set up Irish whisky company Proper No. Twelve before selling his major stake for around £430m, a new generation is enjoying a wee dram – and seizing the golden opportunity to invest in single malt too.
‘A shrewd long-term investment’
“As the quality of cask whisky improves naturally over time, it becomes more valuable and more coveted as the years pass,” says Sam Brooks, who founded Vintage Acquisitions (the trading name of Brooks and Whitaker) back in 2011 to help people put their cash into this liquid gold.
“The increase we’re seeing in younger investors shows that it’s increasingly viewed as a shrewd long-term investment choice too – they’re not looking for quick wins, and that is why whisky fits their requirements.
“Because 90 per cent of cask whisky is bottled between the age of three to 12 years, it makes sense that any remaining older whisky is in increasingly short supply. And the longer you leave it, the better it becomes.”
Why put your money into whisky?
As Ardbeg’s £16m sale confirms, there is a thirst out there for premium single malts: last year, a cask of The Macallan 1988 that had been bought 34 years earlier for just £5,000 sold at auction for £1m.
While your whisky investment may not make you a millionaire, it’s an ideal option for market newcomers, whisky enthusiasts and experienced traders alike.
And with the experienced team at Vintage Acquisitions to guide you through the process, you don’t need to know your Laphroaig from your Lagavulin to get involved.
In fact, you’ll get the chance to join the exclusive Vintage Whisky Club where you can enjoy whisky tastings in London or here in Scotland, sporting events and VIP access to events.
How to get started
The team at Vintage Acquisitions pride themselves on their straightforward and transparent approach – and they love to share their market knowledge with clients. After an initial conversation, they vow to only make recommendations that are right for you, based on your personal circumstances and what you want to get out of your investment.
“We will determine whether the market is suitable for you, then talk in more detail about what you want to achieve by putting some of your money into whisky casks,” says Sam. “This involves working out how long you want to hold it for and setting a budget that you’re comfortable with.”
As stockists as well as brokers, Vintage Acquisitions hold a huge range of whisky stock of varying sizes and age. Thanks to relationships built over 12 years with the top distilleries, they have access to a variety of quality cask whisky at the best possible prices.
“We’ve got the widest range of casks from distilleries with a proven track record of growth,” he adds. “People say you can’t buy time, but you can with whisky. It’s a tangible investment that people can see, feel, taste and enjoy.”
Want to find out more?
Head to the Vintage Acquisitions website to download your free whisky cask investment guide packed with everything you need to know to get started.
This is paid-for content on behalf of Vintage Acquisitions, and does not necessarily reflect the views or advice of The Yorkshire Post. As with all financial investments, your investment may go down as well as up, and people are recommended to take financial advice.