Cask Whisky Ownership

Have you ever wanted to own a cask of your favourite whisky? Would that be for pleasure or profit? There are few objects in the world that evoke such a weight of prestige like a cask of whisky.

That feeling of absolute exhilarating ownership, of experiencing an object that carries both heavy cultural and financial value.

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Cask whisky

When you think of Whisky, you could be forgiven for solely imagining a dark brown liquid with a high alcohol content. You may even have the odd 10-year-old bottle that only makes an appearance on special occasions. However, when you consider Scotch Whisky, you now have to appreciate the over 500 years of history and tradition that have been put into each bottle, making it coveted as the pride of a nation.

As a result of this, single malt whisky casks have long been an asset that enjoys a highly desirable global demand. Recently, its limited supply has commanded the attention of private investors and hobbyists. 
At Hackstons, we have access to a wide network of distilleries. This has given our clients the opportunity to purchase premium, branded single malt Scotch whisky of the highest quality. What was once esoteric and reserved only for a select few is now available to our investors who want to use the opportunity to invest in premium Whisky casks safely and effectively and thus add a different layer to their scotch portfolio

Why Own Whisky?

Owning a whisky cask opens up a world of possibilities. Due to their status as a gem of the collecting world there’s a wide variety of things you can do!

For instance maybe you wish to buy a whisky cask from a ghost distillery? These casks are from distilleries that are no longer operational meaning that they are often rarer and as a result, typically more sought after.

Maybe you’re looking for that perfect corporate gift to present to your clients?
Or perhaps you are interested in reaching new heights as a whisky hobbyist by working with an independent bottler to release your own branded scotch?

As Whisky’s primary function is CONSUMPTION, it is an asset class for the modern investor to utilise and make the most of the fact that cask whisky (while in the cask) is free from Capital Gains Tax. It should be noted that once bottled, you will need to pay VAT and duty.

Furthermore, we feel the value of whisky is the fact that it is made to be consumed. It is not tied to perceived value as much as more traditional investing assets such as stocks and bonds.

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Risks to Consider Around Whisky Ownership

The whisky investment industry is unregulated, and as with all investments, the value of your investment can go up and down. Please note, there are risks to consider when investing in cask whisky, you can find more information around other risks relating to whisky cask investment, as well as an outline of some of our key terms of business with you

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How We Help Our Clients

We are Account Managers that have personal experience in a multifarious range of collectibles, luxuries acquisition and alternative investment options.

Each member of our staff has their own specialisation in certain collectibles, whether that is cask whisky, luxury timepieces, gold coins and many more.

However, for even the wealthiest getting these items can be extremely difficult. Most distilleries won’t open an account for you, most prestigious watch dealerships have long waiting lists and luxury auctions can be prohibitively expensive. By drawing upon our extensive and exclusive network of contacts we have helped our clients to attain the tangible items they desire!

Our Process

Strategy

What is your objective? Have you always dreamed of owning a cask? Our team of veteran Account Managers work alongside people from all walks of life. Not all casks are created equally, and at Hackstons we only acquire collectable and investment grade whisky casks. All of our whisky cask investment options are tailored for your budget and ambitions. The choice is yours!

Procurement

Once the strategy has been agreed and the package has been selected, the most important stage has begun, procurement. After going through our compliance procedures and anti-money laundering checks, the purchase will be finalised and full ownership of the casks will be transferred into your name. You will receive all the legally required documentation to ensure that you are the ultimate beneficiary owner of the cask.

Holding

As per the legal requirements in the UK, all casks of whisky have to be stored in HMRC bonded warehouses. This is to ensure that detailed records are kept of your cask, and protect it from potential damage. We have relationships with several warehouses and insurance providers across Scotland, allowing our clients to receive the greatest levels of care. From there you can sit back and allow the whisky to mature, meanwhile your portfolio manager and online portal will keep you up to date with your portfolio’s progress.

Exit

When it comes to exit strategy, we work with our clients to ensure their needs are met. The most popular way to sell your cask is to sell to another client that wants to purchase your cask or build their portfolio. We can also arrange private and public auctions, help you independently bottle your cask, or even sell your cask back to the distiller.

Storage & Insurance

We offer two different ownership models. Once you have purchased a cask from us, the cask is irrevocably and unquestionably yours, however, how it is stored determines which model you fall into.

Please note: Whether you opt for the Direct Ownership or Ultimate Beneficial Ownership model there will be annual storage and insurance fees to pay. These fees will differ depending on which ownership option you choose, but all fees regarding storage and insurance can be discussed with your Account Manager.

‍Direct Ownership

Direct ownership means that you will have to independently open your own account with a warehouse and then we will transfer your cask to you and provide you with a delivery order upon receipt of the casks.

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership

Other clients prefer to use the Ultimate Beneficial Ownership model as they might not be able to open an account with a warehouse. We will store and manage the casks on behalf of the ultimate beneficial owner, which in this case, is you. We have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure your casks are kept safe whilst in our Trust.

So this includes but is not limited to, the storage and insurance of your cask. So we keep your casks in a company client account and then invoice you separately for storage and insurance. All casks held under this model undergo an inspection by an independent auditor in order to ensure the casks are absolutely verifiable and provide reassurance to investors.

Exit

Cask whisky is an asset that requires a long-term view in order to achieve a successful outcome in the safest manner.

At Hackstons we will help you every step of the way to ensure you achieve the best possible results on any cask you purchase from us.

Upon deciding to exit your cask, we seek to present you with as many exit strategies as available at the time.

As our objectives are intrinsically linked, we will always request that you allow us to present you with the best strategies; however, the final decision is always yours.

1,000s of distilleries worldwide. 100s in Scotland. We will help you to secure your ideal cask.

Here are 10 of the most notable producers of scotch:

What Our Clients Say

I invested with Hackstons just over a year ago on the understanding that I would start off with one barrel and see the relationship progressed before committing to anything else.
One year in and I am very happy with the interactions and feel as though I am being treated well. The information I receive regularly is relevant and informative, and Ricki has been great. So far so good!

Michael John Hackstons Client
I have experienced a great level of service from start to finish with the guys at Hackstons. From my initial enquiry, they took time to understand my circumstances and what I was looking to achieve from investing in whisky.  I’ve had lots of contact with their head of buying and look forward to future business.

Patricia Stagg Hackstons Client
The customer service I have received from Hackstons has been second to none! Samuel was extremely welcoming and engaging as well as being very knowledgeable about the products! Unlike some other sellers, I also felt Samuel and Hackstons as a whole were very honest, never trying to push a sale that didn’t suit myself. If you’re interested in buying whiskey I would highly recommend working with Hackstons; my personal experience has been great with them!

Lee Hackstons Client

These are just a few examples of our hundreds of Trustpilot reviews, you can find all of our reviews on our Trustpilot page.

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Fill in your details and a member of our team will connect with you to discuss your interests, appetite, and options.

We’re here to help you find the right cask, with the right conditions for you.

Cask Whisky Ownership

Cask whisky

Why Own Whisky?

Risks to Consider Around Whisky Ownership

How We Help Our Clients