Whisky cask ownership: How investment works, who can invest, and what to look out for

Want to invest in something a little bit different?

Advertisement feature: This is paid for content on behalf of Whisky partners, and does not necessarily reflect the views or advice of the Yorkshire Post

Investments can be a low or high risk return, with no profits ever guaranteed, but in most cases they are also fairly dull things, with little to inspire beyond the bottom line.

Scotch Whisky Cask investment is growing in popularity, offering a very real alternative to traditional stock market or bonds, and in a genre that has, so far at least, escaped the bull and bear swings of traditional markets.

What are the benefits?

If you love whisky, then investing in your hobby can be particularly appealing, but even if not, there’s a lot included.

For a start, your investment is capital gains exempt, which means the investor keeps every penny of profit. This is because whisky casks naturally evaporate some of the contents, so this is factored into financial projections and is classes as a ‘wasting asset’. With firms like Whisky Partners, the storage and insurance costs are included, so there are no unexpected surprises.

Of course, you will want to do your own due diligence, but this Whisky Partners’ Free Guide is a good place to start.

Who will it appeal to?

Could you find your next investment opportunity in a heritage distillery in Scotland?

“Here at Whisky Partners, we help people from all walks of life with their cask ownership journey,” said a spokesperson.

And the market is booming, with casks available to buy from leading distilleries in Scotland, and investment options starting from starting from just a few thousand pounds.

Take a long term view

Just like the whisky itself, this should be viewed as something that needs a long time to mature. All Scotch whisky has to spend at least three years and a day in a cask to legally use the spirit’s name. Those that are more sought after usually age for ten or more years.

Whisky partners added: “With this in mind, Whisky Cask ownership should not be seen as a short term gain. The best results come from those willing to own their casks for longer periods of time, allowing enough time for the liquid inside to mature into the smooth, golden liquid the world desires.”

How to sell?

Each in vestor will have a dedicated Portfolio Manager, there with you to share their industry knowledge and contacts to help you make the best purchase, and aim to pick the best time to sell. This can include selling at auction, to a fellow investor, or even bottling your own cask for your own enjoyment. As with any investment, there are no guarantees, but it’s a market that is often more stable than some traditional routes.

Find out more in the It’s your cask, your choice section.

You can download the Whisky Partners app here iOS and Android to browse what is available, make purchases and manage your casks, wherever they are stored in bonded warehouses across Scotland, from the comfort of your own home.

For more information and to begin investing, download Whisky Partners’ free guide.

This is paid for content on behalf of Whisky partners, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Yorkshire Post. As with all financial investments, your investment may go down as well as up, and people re recommended to take financial advice.