Here’s how you can own a bespoke cask of rare single-malt whisky
There is a growing taste among connoisseurs and investors alike for acquiring barrels of rare single malt whisky as the ultimate collectible
Whisky only ages while in the barrel. As a distilled product, once bottled, all ageing stops completely (unlike wine). The type of cask used during ageing has a large impact on the final flavour. In recent years, many connoisseurs and investors have acquired casks of single malt whisky as the ultimate bespoke rare whisky collectible.
An average-size 10-12 year hogshead cask at will yield anywhere from 250 to 350 bottles of cask-strength whisky. Prices per bottle can vary dramatically based on the distillery, age and quality – ranging from £50 (HK$496) per bottle to well over £1,000 (HK9,925).
The most sought-after are aged 15 years and older, and come from a range of iconic distilleries, such as The Macallan, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Talisker, Highland Park, The Dalmore and Laphroaig.
The easiest access is through a distillery that has recently opened or will launch soon. There are over 30 new distillery projects in the works across Scotland in varying stages of completion. Prices range from £2,300 to £12,000 for a newly-filled barrel, and may include storage for the first 10 years. Arran, Arbikie, Glasgow Distillery, and Holyrood Distillery are examples of new distilleries with programmes.
