Whisky exchanges resemble other market exchanges in their operation. You may purchase and sell full barrels and portions, similar to commodities on them. Even though it is possible to invest in bottles on these platforms, it doesn’t happen very often and is usually saved for other markets.
The service provider will keep your barrels with the assets of all other clients in a designated facility. This reduces the investor’s requirement for logistics, making the market much more accessible.
Historically, the whisky industry has been difficult to enter because of the need for large amounts of cash and the capacity to transport and store barrels. As a result, it has been chiefly restricted to collectors and specialized groups. With the invention of whisky exchanges, more people can now invest in alcohol.
Whisky Invest Direct
The first whisky exchange to provide this service was Whisky Invest Direct. The 2015-launched portal enables the 24/7 purchase, sale, and discussion of whisky barrels. The firm purchases whisky wholesale and then sells it to consumers at a maximum 2% markup. They may then keep it indefinitely in the bonded storage of the distiller. While there, the cask is wholly insured and remains the buyer’s property. When you desire to liquidate your investment, you may sell it to other investors, blenders, distillers, or Whisky Invest Direct.
Rare Whisky 101
Rare Whisky 101 is another market participant that positioned itself as a broker. It allows buyers and sellers to execute transactions by connecting them. As the preeminent expert on whiskies, 101 also provides various other services.
For starters, they have compiled an index of the market’s most popular and expensive whiskies. This enables investors to track which brands are the most popular and which have declined in popularity. Rare Whisky 101 also provides collectors and owners with evaluation services, allowing them to validate the worth of their liquor. These technologies make investing in whisky much simpler.
UKV International AG
UKV is a corporation established in the United Kingdom that sells whisky, wine, and champagne. The site focuses mainly on the former and deals in bonded whisky. Through its trade floor, the firm behind UKV obtains bonded whisky. This is then sold to customers and kept in the distiller’s bonded warehouse.
However, UKV buyers will have various alternatives once the whisky has reached maturity. They may sell their barrels or give them to a friend or family member. Alternatively, they may choose to bottle themselves.
What Comes Next?
You can invest in almost anything nowadays. Numerous products, including high-end liquors, luxury apparel, and shoes, have become commodities. Investors will purchase assets to keep them for many years before selling them.
Consequently, investment in whisky has developed into an industry in its own right. To such an extent that internet whisky trades have begun to create. These provide investment options and enable the purchase of cask fractions. This lowers the entrance price and further elevates whisky to commodity status.