Cask whisky has established itself as an alternative asset in recent years, offering investors a tangible product that matures over time and has seen surging global demand, while acting as a hedge against risk assets.
Speaking to City AM Studios, Daniel Walker, chief executive of London’s oldest whisky investment firm, Tomoka Fine and Rare, explains that, unlike volatile stocks or bonds, owning a whiskey cask means you possess a physical product, stored securely in a government-bonded warehouse, slowly improving every day.
This maturation process occurs as the appetite for premium aged Scotch whiskey, particularly in emerging markets, consistently outstrips supply, driving up its value.
Mr Walker stressed that this low correlation to traditional finance is key: “Whisky value is not tied to the daily drama of the stock market,” a principle he calls the ‘liquid safeguard’ because “economic downturns don’t stop whiskey in the cask from aging and improving.”
It acts as a diversifying element, designed to help portfolios weather economic storms.
The factors which drive whisky’s value
The value of a cask, according to the specialist firm, is determined by three key factors: age, rarity, and reputation.
As whisky matures, its flavour and complexity develop, naturally making it more desirable and increasing its price.
Rarity is another strong factor, particularly for casks from ‘silent stills’; distilleries that have closed their doors forever, or limited edition runs that are finite in nature.
Ultimately, the global brand power of a well-established distillery can serve as an indicator of quality, thereby enhancing its future value.
Tomoka Fine and Rare identifies three main investor profiles. Every client has a unique objective, but most fall into the categories of the ‘Legacy Builder’, ‘Portfolio Architect’, or ‘Connoisseur’.
The ‘Legacy Builder’ is described as a patient investor aiming to create a substantial asset for the future, perhaps for retirement or for their children, by letting the process of maturation work over a decade or two.
Mr Walker mentioned he himself has done this for his own son, to “secure his financial future”.
The ‘Portfolio Architect’ is a strategic investor, often looking to add stability and a hedge against market volatility to an existing collection of traditional securities.
This investor might acquire a small collection of casks with different age profiles to spread their risk and strengthen their overall financial foundation.
Lastly, the ‘Connoisseur’ is an investor who has a love for whisky and wants to own a piece of history from their favourite distillery. These clients take pride in their ownership of a cask, as well as valuing the financial return.
Cask whisky, the firm says, is a tangible, in-demand asset offering diversification, with its value underpinned by its age, rarity, and reputation.
For more on how to succeed in cask whisky investment, watch the full video with Tomoka Fine and Rare’s CEO, Daniel Walker.