Buying a cask of whisky can seem like a daunting prospect. However, when done correctly and with all of the right information it can be a rewarding journey.
At Mark Littler LTD we aim to make the process of buying a cask as clear as possible. This five step guide is part of our core range of articles designed to show you how to safely and knowledgeably invest in casks of whisky. You can explore the rest of the cask articles here and make sure you also download out free PFD Cask Buying Guide using the form below.
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Step 1: Understand The Laws
Whisky casks are an unregulated investment and so we would highly recommend starting your journey by familiarising yourself with the laws and legislation surrounding buying casks. While you do not need to be an expert in order to know how to buy a cask, making sure you understand the basics will allow you to make sound decisions based on what is being offered to you.
The Question Of Delivery Orders
A delivery order is the industry standard way of transferring cask ownership at the warehouse level. Having a cask sold to you via a delivery order confirmed by the warehouse gives you full ownership of the cask, and therefore full control of your asset. It also assures you that the cask details match what the seller has promised.
A “Certificate”, “Title”, “Deed”, or anything that is not a “counter signed document acknowledged by the warehouse” is not a delivery order. Without a delivery order or equivalent (see below from the SWA) there is a good chance you do not truly own the cask and therefore don’t have full control over it.
You do not need a WOWGR to own a cask in your name at the warehouse, but the seller does need to be working with a warehouse that will allow private individuals to open accounts.
The Scotch Whisky Association gives the following guidance on delivery orders. Please note that this information is incomplete without the final sentence:
“If the cask is located in a warehouse that belongs to someone other than the seller, you should ensure that the transfer of ownership is properly recorded and acknowledged by the warehousekeeper. Traditionally this was done by way of a delivery order, a document setting out the details of the cask to be transferred, signed by purchaser and seller and then delivered to the warehousekeeper. Nowadays other documents may suffice but you should check with the warehousekeeper what documents they require to record ownership in your name and ensure that the seller can deliver them to you before completing the purchase.”
What Is A WOWGR?
WOWGR stands for Warehousekeeper’s and Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations. WOWGR is changing in 2025 so that it only covers Warehousekeepers, and while you have never needed to be WOWGR registered in order to own casks privately, now you will not be able to.
If you are buying a cask you do not need to be on the WOWGR register in order to receive a delivery order. The below video is from prior to the 2025 changes but gives some important background information.
What Are Naming Rights?
Naming rights are the final bit of the legal side of owning casks that you should be aware of. Bottles from a cask with full naming rights can be labelled with the non-trademark-infringing statement “Distilled at the XX Distillery.”
While you might not plan to bottle your cask yourself, all casks will eventually be bottled. The brand of the distillery plays a big part in potential value for casks, and so, buying a cask without naming rights does impact your potential future returns.
There is nothing wrong with casks sold without naming rights as long as the differences are made clear to you. Read more about naming rights here.
Step 2: Who Should You Buy A Cask From?
Once you are familiar with the legal side of things it is time to decide who to buy a cask from. There are a few options to choose from with different advantages.
Buying A Cask From A Broker
A whisky broker works like an estate agent, matching sellers and buyers to facilitate a sale. Brokers do not usually own their own stock and charge a commission on the sales they arrange. This gives you a clear idea of what you are paying for the cask versus fees.
Mark Littler LTD are brokers for whisky casks and bottles as well as other luxury goods and collectables. All our casks are sold via delivery order giving you full control over your asset. Because we source from the market rather than our own stock it can sometimes take a little longer than other options.
Buying From A Cask Dealer
A whisky cask dealer works more like a car garage; they are selling their stock, which they have usually bought from someone else. The price of the cask versus the dealers profit is more opaque in this model. Dealers are usually limited to what they have in stock and not all dealers sell via a delivery order,
Buying A Cask Direct From A Distillery
If you want a quick way to buy new make spirit and support a new venture then buying a cask direct from a distillery or parent company can be a suitable option. If you are after a pure investment then this is not always the most suitable option.
Step 3: Which Distillery To Buy A Cask From?
Choosing which distillery to buy from depends on your intention with buying a cask. If you are buying a cask as a pure investment then your selection process will be different compared to buying as an experience.
At Mark Littler LTD we use our extensive experience helping customers to sell their casks to offer a choice of distilleries based on a combination of factors including price, prospect and age. We will match you with casks based on your budget and intentions.
As a broker the casks that we offer are based on availability within the market at any given point and so the selection of distilleries, ages and cask sizes changes. Therefore there isn’t a simple answer to this question and the best way for us to help you decide which distillery to buy from is to get in touch. You can email [email protected] for more information.
Step 4: How Much Should You Pay For A Cask?
The price of a cask of whisky can vary from a few thousand pounds up to over a million… Calculating the market price of a cask is based on a huge combination of factors including distillery, age, cask type, fill level and ABV.
If you are buying whisky as a personal investment then we suggest that £4,000 to £8,000 is a suitable starting range for a cask aged between three and ten years old with naming rights from an established distillery.
New make starts around £2,500, although it can be considerably more from some distilleries.
For a private individual we don’t suggest buying whisky casks over 12-years-old as we find the variability makes it unsuitable.
If you have been offered a cask and aren’t sure about the price you can use our cask calculator to create a per bottle cost. Use the form below or head across to the cask calculator page to get full instructions on how to use it.
Step 5: How To Buy A Cask Of Whisky?
Once you are happy with the cask you have been offered how do you complete the purchase? It’s time to pay and fill in some paperwork.
The warehouse where your cask will be stored will require certain information from you in order to open an account and your seller will usually collect this in the form of a contract. The warehouse should issue your delivery order, which you need to sign and send back.
We suggest keeping a copy of your delivery order along with copies of the paperwork and invoice issued by your seller.
Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of your cask.
Don’t forget you’ll need to pay your annual storage costs (starting around £35 per year). You should also do a health check on your cask in the form of a regauge every 3 to 5 years. Regular regauges help you to mitigate some risks with casks.
If you want to learn more about how to buy a cask of whisky then please check out our full selection of online cask investment articles. You can also download our free PDF Cask Buying Guide using the form below.
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