Whisk barrels and bottles may be attractive among the alternative investments in 2023. Especially in unregulated markets, it might be challenging to know how to get started in alternative investing. Mark Littler prioritizes customer education when it comes to recommending whether or not whisky is the best choice for you in 2023.
Our 2021 and 2022 manuals are also available for your perusal. Keep an eye on our YouTube channel, where Mark discusses recent releases and gives helpful hints to stay up-to-date all year long.
What’s your timeframe?
Consider your goals and time horizon before making any whisky investments. Whisky is best seen as a long-term investment, so plan accordingly.
Development during the next several years
Whisky bottle investments provide the skill to respond to fluctuating markets. Still, the most reliable long-term growth is often found in rare and collectible earlier releases of brands like Port Ellen and Macallan, which have been discontinued. Our comprehensive bottle investing guide has further market information.
Predictions of growth and evaluation of potential are improved by vintage bottles with a consistent pricing history. This will give you a good idea of how these bottles have held up over time and how profitable they may be. Not many of these bottles will see triple-digit growth in a matter of months, but they provide steady, data-driven expansion and are, perhaps, a safer bet than the bottles we’ll be discussing below.
The trouble with purchasing vintage and rare bottles as an investment is that there is often little excitement. Since they are held for an extended period, they do not see the rapid appreciation typical of alternative investments.
Short to medium-term growth
The promise of quick profits is a significant selling point of many alternative investing options. The term “flipping” refers to purchasing a limited edition of a product shortly after its initial release to resell it at a higher price on the secondary market.
When it comes to whisky bottles, the best bet for generating money on the secondary market is to win or purchase a new bottle of Macallan shortly after it is released. To vote in the Macallan online polls, you must create an account on their website. Their votes and releases tend to sell out rapidly, with the winners turning around and selling their bottles on the secondary market to customers who still need to get in on the action. Flipping is a predictable way to make money if you can sell the bottle soon enough. Still, it comes with apparent moral issues, and significant hazards since secondary bottle values may decrease rapidly and be highly volatile, even within a month’s worth of auctions.
You may try to make a profit by flipping bottles that aren’t Macallan, but the secondary market values for such bottles are far less stable.
Flipping as an investment
Purchasing contemporary bottles may provide short-term rewards for individuals who buy wisely and at the right moment. However, as we saw with bottles like the Macallan Genesis 2018, the price plummeted precipitously in the months after its original release, so these investments are not risk-free. Those who bought bottles on the secondary market shortly after their first release still need more money.
Long-term, ten years plus investment
Casks may be a good option if you invest for at least ten years. Ten years is the minimum time frame to support maximum profit. If you place a delivery order, we may assist you in acquiring barrels from appropriate distilleries; however, there is currently a six-month wait time. If you want additional information about investing in casks, you can find it on our dedicated sites.
Customized investment advice
Mark Littler can assist if you want to establish a whisky investment portfolio in 2023 but need to know where to begin. Please get in touch if you’d like a quotation tailored to your specific needs.