Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Choosing Whisky Investment: Your Complete Protection Guide
Moneymagpie Team
15th Oct 2025
Investing in cask whisky can be exciting and enjoyable if you have a passion for whisky, and equally as exciting if you don’t, but it’s also something you need to approach in a business-like manner. While it may feel fun to buy various casks and build a collection that someone else then stores and looks after for you, there are scams that are designed to take advantage of well-meaning investors.
To make sure that you never fall victim, we’re going to guide you through everything you need to know to protect yourself, including the red flags you need to be aware of.
- Verification is crucial
- Ask for clear details on the distilleries
- Confirm the status of the stock
- Meet your key contact in person
- Check the regulations
- Request performance insights
- Perform common-sense checks
- Conclusion
Verification is crucial
Having someone send you a photo of a whisky cask and say that it is yours, or a simple certificate of ownership, is not enough proof. The fine details are what matter here, and they are listed on a Delivery Order. This crucial document will provide comprehensive verification of the legitimacy of the investment. Having a Delivery Order means that you can verify the cask exists, verify where it is stored, and confirm that it contains the whisky it is supposed to. It is the ultimate proof of ownership when it comes to cask whisky investing.
Ask for clear details on the distilleries
Investment opportunities that advertise partnerships with, or casks from, renowned distilleries certainly sound appealing, but you need to make sure that all is as it should be. Asking for confirmation that the cask has come from a specific distillery is a key step to take, as well as all of the key information about that distillery and any indication as to how their casks have performed previously, or what their bottles of whisky sell for. It’s about building a body of evidence that shows you are investing in what you are being offered.
Confirm the status of the stock
Do you know if you are buying stock with naming rights or trade stock? You need to have the answer in writing so that you can ascertain the value of the cask you are investing in. If such basic details are not forthcoming, this should be an immediate source of concern because it shows you that something is likely not right.
Meet your key contact in person
Any whisky specialist who has the best interests of investors at heart will assign you a key contact who is an expert in their field. They will understand the investment, be forthcoming with information, and be willing to meet you to talk through the investment opportunity. They will also under no circumstances make guarantees that sound too good to be true.
“Anyone who says to you that the market is completely guaranteed is an extreme red flag,” says Alphie Valentine, Co-founder of Hackstons, whisky specialists who provide opportunities for both investment and consumption. Hackstons has a partner warehouse where skilled professionals ensure that every cask is correctly treated, stored, and handled from the moment it arrives. Your key contact can also arrange for you to tour the warehouse and see and sign your cask for a truly experiential investment journey.
Check the regulations
Any warehouse storing cask whisky needs to be fully bonded and approved by HMRC. The company that is offering you the opportunity to invest must hold AWRS and WOWGR licenses for it to operate legally. Asking for proof in writing will provide you with the peace of mind that the company is legitimate. Doing so will help protect your investment and ensure that you are not unintentionally exposing yourself to undue risk.
Request performance insights
Hackstons and others like them will be able to give you information that shows how similar casks have appreciated over time. They will not be in the business of making guarantees, as professionals never shy away from the fact that the value of an investment may go up or down. Instead, they will provide you with data on comparable casks so that you can judge the degree of risk for yourself.
Perform common-sense checks
Before making an investment, it is important to slow down and reassess the situation. You’re potentially going to invest in something that you have a passion for, and now you feel like you have all the necessary details, but is something amiss? Taking time to think about the following four questions will ensure that you don’t fall victim to a scam:
- Are you being offered a ‘guaranteed’ return?
- Have you received an unsolicited approach?
- Do you feel you are being pressured or hurried?
- Is there any social proof, like with Hackstons on Instagram?
If you are unsure about how to answer any or all of these questions, this is a sign that something is not quite right. Working back through this protection guide will ensure that you can either clear up a misunderstanding or pinpoint a sign that you’re close to investing in a scam.
Conclusion
Protecting yourself when you are considering investing in cask whisky is essential, but it can only be done if you are diligent, patient, and pragmatic. It’s natural to want to rush things when you’re making an investment in something you’re passionate about, and the people who operate scams know this and use it to their advantage when looking to scam investors. Stepping back, slowing down, and performing the checks and balances outlined above will ensure that you can mitigate risk the right way.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
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