The world of buying whisky casks has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering an alternate investment in a tangible asset that appreciates over time. With 172 distilleries in Scotland alone, knowing where to start can be daunting. Choosing the right distillery can be a personal choice based on taste and memories, but it can also drive the value of a cask overtime.
Join us in a brief distillery tour, where we explore some of our favourite distilleries which we have either stocked or currently stock for clients to purchase.
Tormore
Previously owned by Pernod Ricard and mainly used for blending purposes, Tormore has been hidden in the shadows for many years. The whisky, as one of the favourites used by blenders is exceptional and very typically Speyside. The new owners, Elixir Distillers, are an independent bottler and previous owners of The Whisky Exchange. They will be creating a proprietary brand with the distillery. How exactly they will do this isn’t known, but with their retail knowledge and connections, one can assume there will be a lot of noise about it and the resulting whiskies will be very good. This will put the distillery in the spotlight and positively impact the demand for casks from this distillery.
Glenrothes
Glenrothes is owned by Edrington, who also owns the illustrious Macallan distillery. Many of the same techniques are used in both distilleries, the main one being the use of very good quality sherry casks. The brand in recent years has been positioned as an ultra premium brand and very old expressions have been released, predominantly into the Asian market where sherry cask matured whiskies are favoured. This premiumisation, and link to Macallan, will markedly raise this distillery's profile over the next few years.
Ben Nevis
A front runner for those ‘in the know’ and a favourite of Independent bottlers. 2025 is a big year for Ben Nevis as it’s the distillery’s 200th birthday. This will get a lot of attention and will generally raise the distillery’s profile. Within the whisky fraternity, Ben Nevis has always been admired for its old fashioned and complex style of whisky. Because of this it will always be in demand from independent bottlers, and as the brand grows after its birthday this demand will also grow. We have seen the popularity of Ben Nevis grow considerably in the last few years and it certainly isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Glen Moray
Glen Moray produces a universally liked style of whisky. It is honey sweet with orchard fruits, typical of the Speyside region. It is also widely known as it can be found in supermarkets. This wide spread distribution helps the brand rather than hindering it – it's broad appeal making it a popular choice in cask ownership.
Ledaig
Long loved by whisky aficionados, Ledaig is similar in style to Islay malts, but with a distinct rawness which gives it its unique character. It is not universally known which means that it is less expensive than malts from Islay, but I’d expect that to change in the not too distant future as more people become aware of it.
Bunnahabhain
An Islay distillery for everyone! Bunnahabhain have an unpeated standard release while also adding peated whisky to their portfolio. This opens up its popularity to a wider audience who may not favour the typically smoky flavours of Islay distilleries. What has always been a popular malt will now become even more so.
Glen Garioch
Whisky made with a direct fire method of distillation has always been popular with whisky experts, and Glen Garioch have returned their wash stills to direct fire. They have also split away from Edrington, the owners of Macallan, which could indicate they will be concentrating on their own single malts. These factors will push the distillery and brand further in popularity and once the spirit from the direct distillation comes, it will be in high demand.
Springbank
In 2023 Springbank distillery was placed in trust for the local people. This was to ensure nothing would change at the distillery which is popular for is old fashioned, traditional style. Today, Springbank have a very low cask production. Almost none of these casks reach the open market, meaning an older cask from Springbank would generate very high demand and very high valuations - a trend which we are not going to see change anytime soon.
Key Considerations When Investing in Whisky Casks
While choosing the right distillery is essential, investors should also consider several other factors when purchasing whisky casks:
- Age Potential: Older casks often fetch higher prices, but patience is required.
- Cask Type: Sherry, bourbon, and wine casks impart different flavours and influence investment value.
- Market Trends: Understanding whisky market demand and global trends helps maximise returns.
- Storage and Insurance: Proper storage conditions and insurance coverage protect the investment.
Read our Beginner's Guide to Cask Whisky Investment where we discuss these considerations in more detail.
For those ready to take their first step, register to speak to one of our cask whisky experts. Our team can provide tailored guidance, ensuring your cask ownership journey is easy and enjoyable.
