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Whisky 101: Everything you need to know about whisky

Casks, Whisky, Whisky Education

should i buy a cask of whisky (2)

A brief history of whisky

Need to brush up on your whisky knowledge? This is your complete guide to getting started in the world of whisky. We cover the basics of everything whisky, from bourbon to single malt:

  • A brief history of whisky
  • What is the difference between whisky and bourbon?
  • What gives whisky its flavour?
  • How whisky is made?
Mark-Littler-Whisky-Broker-Full-Size

The early history of whisky

Often referred to as ‘water of life’, whisky is a popular spirit distilled from malted grain. It is said to have been developed in the Irish monasteries of the middle ages. However, it is hard to define an exact history of whisky, as different schools believe in different origins; some even say it was the Babylonians of Mesopotamia who discovered the art of distilling, as early as the 2nd millennium BC.

What we do know, is that the process of distillation reached Ireland and Scotland around the 15th century. It was mainly used for medicinal purposes, particularly in the treatment of epidemics such as the smallpox. The nobility of the time, particularly James IV of Scotland and King Henry VIII of England developed a taste for whisky as a drink rather than simply as a cure for sickness, and by 1608, the Old Bushmill’s Distillery in Northern Ireland obtained a licence to distill whisky. Unfortunately, the introduction of the English Malt Tax in 1725 meant that whisky became classed as moonshine, which caused many of Ireland’s distilleries to be shut down or go underground.

What is the difference between whisky and bourbon?

There are different types of whiskies, all of which differ depending on the malting, blending and maturing process, and of course on where that whisky is produced.

Single malt Scotch whisky is made exclusively from malt barley and is traditionally distilled in pot stills. Scotch whisky must be matured in oak casks for more than three years; new casks are never used.

American whisky (also known as bourbon, and often spelled whiskey) on the other hand can only be matured in new, American oak casks. Bourbon is a type of grain whisky and must contain at least 51 per cent corn, the spirit is usually distilled using a modern column still.

Blended whisky is made up of a mixture of single malt whisky from different distilleries, a famous example being the Johnny Walker brand’s Green Label whiskies.

What influences the flavour of whisky?

There are several factors that affect the flavour of whisky and produced the unique signature of different regions and countries.

WATER

The water used to make the spirit is thought to affect the finished flavour of the whisky, providing subtle notes that help distinguish between the regions. Water with a low minerality , such as those used by the Speyside distilleries, is prized by some, but the high peat content of the water at Islay and Campbeltown is thought to contribute to the earthy flavours valued by lovers of that region.

PEAT

An obvious flavour addition is whether the malt has been dried using peat, which adds a distinct smoky tone to the whisky and is a hallmark of many Scottish whiskies. The type of peat used also has an effect, as the different flora and fauna of each region produce a unique peat with a specific smokiness.

LOCATION

The location of the distillery influences the taste, both through the peat as mentioned above and through the locality and climate. For example, the coastal distilleries of Islay and Campbeltown tend to have distinctive coastal flavours of brine and seaweed in their tasting notes. This contrasts with the Lowlands’ whisky, which is renowned for grassy flavours.

THE DISTILLERY

Each distillery has its own history and traditions, and these tend to influence the flavour of the whisky produced. The type of still used, and the way it is run, even the time the still is run for and what proportion of the spirit is taken, all influence the finished product.

THE CASK

Some people argue that as much as 60–80% of a whisky’s flavour is imparted during its time in the cask, with the type of cask and the time spent in that cask being two of the main factors. The cask imparts flavour through interactions with the wood, and in the case of Scottish whisky (where pre-used casks are used for maturation) the flavours that have been infused during the cask’s previous life. Casks and their influence on the whisky inside them varies hugely and a full discussion of the effects of casks on the whisky is discussed here >>

Mark Littler Whisky Broker

How is Whisky Made?

Different styles of whisky undergo different processes depending on the country they are produced in and the distillery in charge of making them. However, in general there are five main stages involved in creating the perfect dram of whisky.

MALTING

The first step to making whisky is malting the grain; barley in the case of Scottish whisky. During this process, the starch contained in the barley is converted into the sugar that will later be used by the yeast to produce alcohol.

Once top-quality barley has been collected and selected, it is soaked in water for a couple of days. Once the barley has been soaked it is spread out over malting floors, so it can partially germinate. This takes 5-7 days, the exact amount of time is chosen by the distillery. The germination process is stopped by drying the barley with hot air and it is here that the characteristic smoky flavours of some whisky are created, if peat is added to the fire. The dried, germinated barley is known as the malt.

MASHING

The malt produced during the previous step is milled into flour – referred to as grist – and added into a mash tun (a large tank) where it is mixed with hot water. The water is added in three stages, first at 65° C, then at 80° C and finally almost at boiling point (95º C). During this process, the malt sugars dissolve into a liquid known as wort, which is collected at the bottom of the tun.

FERMENTATION

The wort is cooled and introduced into a wooden or stainless-steel tank, where it is mixed with yeast and kicks off the fermentation process. Fermentation takes 48–96 hours, whilst the yeast converts the sugar into alcohol. The resulting liquid is called wash and has around 6–9% alcohol by volume.

DISTILLATION

Distillation is the process whereby the alcohol content of the wash is increased. Distillation occurs inside a still, which is usually made of copper. There are two different types of stills: pot stills and column stills. The main difference between pot still distillation and column still distillation is that the former is a batch process, while the latter works continuously.
Pot still distillation is the most common method used in Scottish whisky. Traditionally, the wash is distilled twice, though some distilleries use triple-distillation. The wash is heated up in the first still, and because alcohol evaporates more readily than water a higher percentage of alcohol evaporates, the shape of the still is designed to cause the evaporated vapour to condense in a separate part of the still. The resulting liquid, with about 20% ABV, is moved into the second still and heated up again where the process is repeated. The final spirit reaches a graduation of 60-70%ABV.

Column still distillation is typically used in the production of bourbon and grain whisky, and it is a good fit for large-scale distillation processes. The column contains a series of perforated plates, evenly distributed along its extension. The wash is introduced from the top of the column and hot steam is applied from the bottom. The wash starts descending gradually, pushing the alcohol vapor up. When the vapor hits each one of the plates, the alcohol content increases. Once the process has ended, the vapor is introduced into a condenser. The final spirit can reach a graduation of up to 95%ABV.

MATURATION

For the final step, the whisky is introduced into a cask, which is commonly made of oak, and left to mature for several years. During the maturation process, the whisky becomes smoother, enhancing its colour and flavour.

Scotch whisky must be left to mature for at least three years and the cask is usually pre-used American ex-bourbon cask or a Spanish ex-sherry cask. Usually, single malt whisky is aged for eight years or more. American bourbon must be matured for at least two years in new, American oak barrels that have been charred.

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Based on 226 reviews
Mark Littler LTD - Independent Antiques Consultant and Whisky Broker
Mark Littler LTD - Independent Antiques Consultant and Whisky Broker
5.0
Kim Rautenbach
Kim Rautenbach
10:15 09 Apr 21
We recently used Mark Littler to sell old Silver tankards and we could not be happier. Fast, friendly & professional service. They assisted through the whole process and was very helpful every step of the way. They will definitely be hearing from us again. I would recommend Mark Littler to anyone, worldwide
maurice miller
maurice miller
19:52 01 Apr 21
I was trying to sell a hogshead of Bruichladdich and was facing a challenge due to my lack of knowledge and experience in the whisky marketplace. I contacted Mark seeking guidance and advice, which he provided in a very efficient manner. Mark took on my case and was able to get me 5 times the price the distillery had offered at a time when trading was extremely sparse (COVID-19).Mark was extremely effective in the selling process, obtaining and sending my profit to my account.A massive thank you to Mark for everything he has done for me. I will definitely be using him again in future for all my whiskey business.Thanks,Maurice.
Katherine Quinlan
Katherine Quinlan
17:53 25 Mar 21
Mark promptly responded to my email inquiry and right from the start was enthusiastic, professional and extremely knowledgeable. Having inherited a vintage investment, living in the West Coast of the US and with absolutely no knowledge of the business I turned it over to Mark and asked him to guide me from start to finish, which he did in an exemplary manner.My praise of Mark could not be any higher, whether on a personal or professional manner he was exceptionally patient and thorough in every aspect of the transaction.
Andrew Atherton
Andrew Atherton
11:38 25 Mar 21
Found Mark via a Google search so was a little apprehensive as couldn't meet face to face. We had some silver flatware we wished to sell and he handled the whole process very quickly and professionally. He achieved a price that was higher than other estimates received from others including well known auction houses. Would heartily recommend.
Malcolm Whalley
Malcolm Whalley
23:44 14 Mar 21
Mark recently sold a 26 year old cask of Ardbeg for me. He was vey thorough and professional and achieved an excellent price. His thoroughness was very important to me as I have lived in Sydney, Australia for many years and I needed someone who I could trust with a high vale transaction from the other side of the world. Mark even took the time to personally collect some sample drawings from the distillery and ship to me. I heartily recommend Mark to anyone wishing to sell of buy a cask particularly if they are not resident in the UK.
Tony Bellian
Tony Bellian
10:16 14 Mar 21
Great advice and service from the team. Prompt payment once the sale was agreed. Will definitely use again.
Ian Garner
Ian Garner
13:45 05 Feb 21
Our family inherited a hogshead of whisky which needed to be sold. Having no knowledge of this market the internet revealed Mark Littler who proved to be both knowledgeable and professional. The cask was tasted and sold within a matter of weeks under Mark's guidance which we greatly appreciate.
George Dalton
George Dalton
20:55 25 Jan 21
I found myself in a situation where I needed to sell a much treasured and fairly rare bottle. Mark and Hannah were both extremely helpful, completely transparent, and fair in their valuation. They were a pleasure to deal with from start to finish, and made the process very easy and painless. I would recommend them to anyone in a similar position, and would definitely use them again in the future.
David
David
19:00 25 Jan 21
An excellent professional service provided by Mark and his team. The whole process of selling was easy and efficient.
Charles McCue
Charles McCue
10:52 20 Jan 21
During the last 12 months I have been actively making tentative enquiries to sell my whisky collection, which I had been collecting for more than 20 years. During this time I had been in discussions with various very well known whisky retailers online, with a view to them purchasing the bottles from me or finding prospective buyers. After many phone calls, emails and conversations, I was left feeling very frustrated and bewildered at their lack of communication in general and commitment to providing me with a service. That was until I discovered Mark Littler through an oline post that had been sent to me from a family member, which highlighted a high profile sale Mark had recently been engaged in. I decided to contact Mark the following day and within hours he had come straight back to me and offered to work with me to sell my collection. This was quite astonishing given the lack of communication that I had received from others. From the outset Mark has always been professional, courteous and friendly, which has made my own experience of using Mark's services an absolute pleasure. His individual care and approach to everything he undertakes on your behalf in providing you with a service is nothing short of exemplary. In no time at all Mark has already sold a much sought after vertical in my collection and I am delighted with the outcome. I would not hesitate in recommending Mark to anyone attempting to sell their own collection.
phill capo
phill capo
20:19 19 Jan 21
I got in touch with Mark having read one of his articles online. I was thinking of investing in a cask and had an offer from a company that shall remain nameless. At this point I thought I should seek independent advice. Mark's professional and informative approach to my questions was excellent. He basically saved me from making a huge potential mistake investing with a company that were not throwing straight dice and trying to pitch sales based on false information. I may add that at this point Mark was not pitching any sale to myself, merely offering good, genuine and free advice.I later had the opportunity to use Mark as a consultant to invest in my first Cask. I have found him to be very professional, knowledgeable, courteous and friendly.I feel lucky to have sounded out Mark as a broker and hope to be using him again in the future. I can not recommend him and his team highly enough for their help and time!
Pankaj Khushani
Pankaj Khushani
07:57 06 Jan 21
It was an absolute pleasure dealing with Mark. I was looking to buy a cask of whisky and spoke with numerous brokers. The response, transparency and authenticity from Mark was the one that I liked the most. I highly recommend visiting Mark's website and the process outlined by him to own a whisky cask is the most exhaustive and helps you understand the nuances of owning the cask. I highly recommend Mark and will surely be buying through him again.
Dean Reeves
Dean Reeves
15:16 29 Dec 20
Recently, I made enquiries with Mark about buying a whisky cask.He very promptly answered all my questions and gave me all the information I needed to make an informed decision.He was thoroughly professional and there was never any pressure to buy, just support and step-by-step instructions.I am very pleased with the outcome of my cask investment and I look forward to working with Mark again in the future.
Barbara Powell
Barbara Powell
10:49 23 Dec 20
Can definitely recommend Mark Littler and his staff. He is helpful, communicates, and is very sincere in achieving a successful outcome.
Stephen Ferrie
Stephen Ferrie
13:05 22 Dec 20
Mark was thoroughly professional and efficient in helping my family get a great deal in buying some whisky casks.We received a very friendly, quick and personable service with regular updates throughout the process.Highly recommended and greatly appreciated!
Darroch Willock
Darroch Willock
20:05 21 Dec 20
Great service from Mark, would recommend and would use again. Easy to contact for updates or advice and guidance throughout the process. Very helpful at all times and the final result was exactly what I had hoped for.
Neil Clements
Neil Clements
15:53 20 Dec 20
Mark did exactly what he promised to do and achieved a good price for the whiskey cask which he sold for us. We were kept informed of what was going on and the whole transaction was hassle free.
Nigel Danhash
Nigel Danhash
09:28 20 Dec 20
Mark was true to his word when he advised how long the process would take with selling our Cask of Whisky and what we would expect to receive. He has been very attentive and continued to provide feedback during the sale process and he managed to achieve an exceptional price for us. Thank you Mark, we will be sure to come back to you when we sell our next cask.
Karken Chung
Karken Chung
16:17 10 Dec 20
First rate service - achieved a good price for one bottle and coordinated a forwarding service to an auction house for the bottles they didn't receive any offers for. Getting the bottles to them was quick and simple. Communication was quick and courteous. Highly recommended
Mike Thompson
Mike Thompson
10:06 03 Dec 20
I am delighted to have engaged with Mark Littler and Hannah Thompson. They have provided a professional and trustworthy service that puts my best interests at the heart of their business. The process of selling my whisky collection has been clear and remarkably easy and efficient.
Diana Doyle
Diana Doyle
14:58 21 Nov 20
Mark was an absolute pleasure to work with. Delighted to have discovered him during an internet search researching how best to sell two casks of 50 year old Scottish whiskey. He is professional, knowledgeable and quickly responded to my endless questions. It was a smooth transaction and am very pleased with the price he was able to secure. Highly recommend!
Neil
Neil
13:35 12 Nov 20
Fantastic service from Mark and the team selling some bottles of whisky on their store. Right from valuation through to sale and payment he kept me informed. And he got a great price for me. Would definitely recommend.
Lesley C
Lesley C
15:30 08 Nov 20
Thanks Mark And Hannah for all your great advice in helping us make the sale! We were thrilled with the results!
bernard green
bernard green
21:55 05 Nov 20
Robin Hodgson
Robin Hodgson
10:04 01 Nov 20
I recently had the pleasure of dealing with Mark and his colleagues. From my first phone call to the completion of my sale the service was exemplary. The sale of my whisky collection was made so easy, and a fast payment was made directly into my bank after the sale was completed.If you are looking to sell your whisky don't waste your time looking anywhere else. I can thoroughly recommend this company.Thank you Mark once again for a fantastic service.
Michael Carpenter
Michael Carpenter
14:17 24 Oct 20
Very pleased with Mark's ease of transaction in disposing of some antique silver cutlery. Have no hesitation in recommending his professional services and advice.
Diane Fyles
Diane Fyles
11:18 19 Oct 20
Selling things for the first time, you are very apprehensive, about how to go about it?? But on the Phone Mark was very reassuring, and although Mark was called away, we saw Hannah, and she really put us at ease, explained everything, and answered all our questions! The sale went through really smoothly, and Mark kept in contact all the way! Will highly recommend them to others!!....... Russ & Di Fyles
David Charman
David Charman
16:42 06 Oct 20
Have several casks of high end whisky, I decided to sell one of my investments. An internet search revealed Mark Littler. Only person to respond to my email. Mark sold my first cask in weeks. New exactly what he was talking about and doing . The price was at the very high end of his valuation. He did all the work, I just signed the sales document. as easy as that. Money transferred into my account, and you are talking thousands too. Much appreciated, will now sell another cask as the time is right.
Robert Chell
Robert Chell
15:27 06 Oct 20
Really excellent service, from the valuation to the completion of a sale. Communication was excellent through out the process. I would highly recommend Mark to anyone.
Samuel Hutchinson
Samuel Hutchinson
15:02 06 Oct 20
Great website, lots of useful information.
Geoff Fuller
Geoff Fuller
22:34 25 Sep 20
Mark brokered the sale of a rare bottle of Irish whiskey on my behalf. He knows the market and had placed the item with a private buyer within days of taking the brief. Very professional service throughout. Would certainly use in the future.
John Maguire
John Maguire
21:42 24 Sep 20
Mark Littler 's services can only be rated as Excellent.From Start to finish even in these most difficult times was outstanding. Sale of my Whisky bottle was completed within 10 days and the money in my Account. First class.John Maguire
Matthew Robson
Matthew Robson
08:43 23 Sep 20
I was looking to sell my whisky collection of 28 bottles of Macallan 18 year old to fund the purchase of my first house, so I got in touch with Mark.My father gave me 1 bottle each year for a birthday present so that by the time that I was 18 I would have 18 bottles of 18 year old Macallan. (Yes I'm that guy who was plastered over the media)Mark did a great job of getting professional photos taken of them and creating a PR buzz around the collection and I even ended up on BBC breakfast news, lad bible, and various radio stations around the world.At one point my story was the second most viewed story on BBC world wide news app for the whole weekend with over 2 million views.Needless to say within a day or two of this PR Campaign there was numerous offers.I would like to thank Mark for all his work and helping me with everything.
Iona Thomson
Iona Thomson
07:14 16 Sep 20
Mark provided us with an excellent service for the sale of a cask of Springbank Whisky. He provides a professional, friendly and responsive service, guiding you every step of the way. My mother was delighted with the result. I recommend his end to end service. Thank-you!
Alan Perkins
Alan Perkins
11:56 26 Aug 20
The experience of dealing with Mark and his staff could not have been better. Communication was clear and the process to sell my whiskey was straightforward. I was happy with the price offered and less than 48 hours after sending the bottle in the post the money was I my current account. I will be dealing with Mark again in the future.
Mike Malkoun
Mike Malkoun
08:18 15 Jul 20
Great experience from the very friendly and knowledgeable Mark who was able to help me buy a cask, and made the process seamless even during the lock down! Five star experience.
Ian Braithwaite
Ian Braithwaite
15:45 03 Jul 20
Mark recently helped to successfully sell my cask of Macallan single malt whisky.From our initial discussion I was impressed with the depth of his knowledge and his professional approach. Mark guided me through each step of the process, providing reasons and insights to ensure I made the correct decisions. His estimate of the value of the cask was spot on.I would have no hesitation in using his professional services again.
fran stokes
fran stokes
10:58 13 Jun 20
Mark is a good professional agent true to his word keeps you connected very efficient, would recommend mark to any body in the future.
Football Freestyler
Football Freestyler
17:26 02 Jun 20
Mark was very helpful to me and my family , he is so knowledgeable about whisky, and with his valued advice I was able to sort out my children’s investment easily with confidence. Thank you so much Mark for all your advice and help, I would strongly recommend Mark to anyone.
Jennifer Telliam
Jennifer Telliam
23:34 15 May 20
Very reliable and professional company who I will use again in the future.
David McDonnell
David McDonnell
07:41 15 May 20
Professional service who are also adapting to the challenging new world we are all living in.
James Ritchie
James Ritchie
10:16 22 Apr 20
Fantastic service from start to finish well informed about my item will not hesitate to use again.
Tom Withycombe
Tom Withycombe
10:37 19 Apr 20
Mark and Hanna were a pleasure to deal with when selling my bottle of Macallan 25 y.o. whisky. Everything was handled smoothly, expertly and with no pressure. The courier facility offered is excellent and the sale concluded very quickly and simply. In these days of increasingly doing business on the Internet this experience was top class and I have no hesitation in using Mark's company for similar future business; Top Class!!
Stuart fox
Stuart fox
23:13 14 Apr 20
Thanks mark for your professional advice on selling my whisky very happy with the outcome.Will definitely use again thanks.Stuart.
Georgina Shreeve
Georgina Shreeve
12:33 14 Apr 20
Brilliant service from start to finish, highly recommend Mark! Thank you so much for making the sale so easy for me and for providing such a personal service. Thanks again, Georgina Russell
Dot Penn
Dot Penn
15:26 30 Mar 20
Be patient for great returns.When I came to sell my 10yr old Hogshead of whisky Mark was able to obtain a final price for me that was more than three times the sell back figure to Bruichladdich.Professional from the start. Once Mark had the re-guage figures all I had to do was sit back and let him do the rest. Very efficient and hassel free.A pleasure to do business with and will definetly be contacting him again when my next barrel matures.Thankyou Mark for doing all the hard work.
Steve Pears
Steve Pears
19:37 26 Mar 20
Just over 10 years ago I visited the Bruichladdich distillery and bought a newly filled fresh bourbon barrel. Having allowed it to mature I needed to decide what to do with it. Bruichladdich made an unattractive offer to buy it back.I became aware of Mark Littler, from a Google search. I contacted him based on the many positive reviews. After talking to him and learning of his experience of selling casks I commissioned him to sell my cask.Dealing with Mark has been a pleasure, he has guided me through the process and I have received over 3 times the offer from Bruichladdich.I have found Mark to be realistic and helpful and I recommend his services.
James Godfrey
James Godfrey
10:36 26 Mar 20
Mark was excellent from start to finish in dealing with our whiskey cask sale. I highly recommend his services and wouldn’t hesitate to use him again. 5 Star!
Genny Bobroff
Genny Bobroff
17:33 18 Mar 20
Thank you so much Mark for your knowledge, help, support and finally arranging the sale of my silver flatware. With your expertise and knowledge of the market, you found a buyer very quickly, keeping me in the loop all the time and the transaction went through very smoothly.From our first conversation to the conclusion of the sale, everything was handled very professionally. You provided all the packaging and return addresses and all I had to do was take the box to the post office. Simple!I could not be more delighted and would not hesitate to come back to you if need be, or to recommend you and the company very highly on every level.
Ron Hilditch
Ron Hilditch
15:10 18 Mar 20
First class in every way! Excellent communications and service. More than happy with the experience.Mark thanks once again.
Jacky Stark
Jacky Stark
16:56 09 Mar 20
Mark sold two casks of whisky for me. He got a very good price for them and kept me informed through the rather slow process (which he had warned me about). Very pleased with the service.
Andrew Makepeace
Andrew Makepeace
17:04 04 Mar 20
Excellent professional service, Mark kept us well informed throughout and even obtained a higher price when it came to the sale. Would have no hesitation in using again or recommending. Thank you
Christine Jones Bateman
Christine Jones Bateman
10:37 04 Mar 20
Very happy with the service that Mark provides. He is very professional and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.
Jochmoal Baxter
Jochmoal Baxter
13:08 17 Feb 20
A friendly and honest service
Gary Toyne
Gary Toyne
19:14 13 Feb 20
Excellent professional service. Thanks Mark!
Caroline Hart
Caroline Hart
13:03 03 Feb 20
Mark offers a brilliant, easy and efficient service. I have used this twice now and both occasions have been simple and fast. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
jane lee
jane lee
20:26 02 Feb 20
Very efficient and professional service. Hannah very helpful and kept me informed of the process thankyou
John Pruimboom
John Pruimboom
00:22 30 Jan 20
I sold my Bruichladdich hogshead cask through Mark and can highly recommend his services. Immediate follow-up and a very clear outlined agreement while Mark managed to get a good price for the cask in a fairly short time period. I’m very pleased and would not hesitate to utilize his services again in the future.
Lynn Murphy
Lynn Murphy
20:02 21 Jan 20
Very happy with the service from Mark Littler, professional and helpful every step of the way. Highly recommended...5 stars!
Myles Hannon
Myles Hannon
16:11 21 Jan 20
Very smooth transaction, great communications, very hassle free for me as a first time seller.
Dave Moss
Dave Moss
19:54 20 Jan 20
I recently sold a 25 year old cask of Scottish whisky through Mark. The market is not easy to tap into but Mark has good connections and got me an excellent price. He made the process very simple and completed all the necessary paperwork for me. Highly recommended!
Peter Caton
Peter Caton
19:11 10 Jan 20
Realy great professional service, would not hesitate to recommend Mark Littler LTD to anyone.
Richard Saunders
Richard Saunders
17:59 09 Jan 20
Great service, thanks Mark and Hannah.
jean green
jean green
11:04 04 Jan 20
Thank you Mark for the professional help you provided In relation to Probate valuation, and the sale of the items. Your help and honest reliable service, made a difficult time so much easier. I trust, and would highly recommend Mark Littler LTD.
Jackie Leonard
Jackie Leonard
09:37 06 Dec 19
Mark has been extremely helpful and efficient selling a silver canteen of cutlery for me and made the whole process very easy . His professionalism is without fault and he contacted me regularly to inform me of the progress of the sale. Thank you Mark for all your help and I would certainly use your services again .
Diana McDonnell
Diana McDonnell
16:12 02 Dec 19
I had a cask of 10 year old Bruichladdich to sell. Googled potential buyers. Some traders didn’t bother to reply, even though I had sent full details.Mark was brilliant from the word go ... very professional and kept me well informed of progress. I ended up with over 50% more from him than my next best offer! Payment was very prompt.I would highly recommend Mark. Don’t waste time with the others ... they will just cause exasperation!!Thanks Mark . Pleasure doing business with you !
Pete Austin
Pete Austin
13:20 20 Nov 19
Mark is a true professional and I have no hesitation in recommending his services. We had a variety of items which we wished to dispose of - from a fine Christofle canteen of cutlery, some 1980s Swiss watches, to some precious stones and even a bottle of House Of Commons Whisky signed by Margaret Thatcher. I was amazed by how easily Mark found buyers for all these items at (what I consider) excellent prices. He kept us well informed with progress throughout the valuations and sales processes. Mark is very knowledgeable in where to get the best prices for a variety of items. A five star service indeed.
Ro Johnson
Ro Johnson
14:01 11 Nov 19
Mark offers a very professional service at a very reasonable rate of commission. He is knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. His service is first class making the whole experience stress free. Highly recommend him.
andy hudson
andy hudson
11:12 01 Nov 19
What an excellent communication and service was provided by Mark and his team. If only it was this easy when dealing with larger organisations. I would recommend this company if you thinking of selling rare bottles of whiskey. I will be definitely be using their services and knowledge again.
Bob & Jan Derbyshire
Bob & Jan Derbyshire
10:07 16 Oct 19
I have to say Mark provided a first class service and achieved what I believe to be a highly competitive bid for my whisky. Delivery was straightforward and settlement prompt. Will happily recommend.
stephen wood
stephen wood
09:08 16 Oct 19
Great Service....everything was exactly as Mark and Hannah said - no surprises. Very pleased with the transaction and how easy it was.
Matthew Wilkinson
Matthew Wilkinson
15:22 15 Oct 19
Great service
David Gibson
David Gibson
14:51 14 Oct 19
Mark was helpful from start to finish during the sale process. Swift responses to my questions and delivered a smooth outcome. Would highly recommend.
Fernando Coelho
Fernando Coelho
10:04 05 Oct 19
I am very happy, quick and professional I recommend
Brian Lang
Brian Lang
09:12 26 Sep 19
Mark was very helpful explaining me details about buying and owning a cask of whiskey - I will give him my best recommendations
Lorrie Sugden
Lorrie Sugden
16:09 24 Sep 19
At what could have been a very difficult time for our family, Mark was a superstar. He always had time for my questions and was instrumental in helping me find new homes for our treasured possessions.
T J
T J
10:25 08 Sep 19
I was looking for an honest source to sell two valuable paintings. Mark was knowledgeable, informative and helpful assisting in both collection and successful sale at a fair price. I highly recommend his professional service. Good communications and organisation,a pleasure to deal with. Thanks Mark.
Tony Quipp
Tony Quipp
15:32 06 Sep 19
Excellent and prompt service from start to finish.
Sarah Exall
Sarah Exall
12:33 06 Sep 19
Excellent professional service from start to finish and top prices received. Highly recommend.
R Soberg
R Soberg
12:17 02 Sep 19
Excellent services and communication! We are a group of Nordic guys, completely amateurs in the whisky market, who ended up with a cask 20 years ago when we were still quite young, without any plan about how to handle this. We were lucky to find someone like Mark, who got us a decent price and guided us through the process when we wanted to sell it. Payment and everything went smoothly overseas.
Francesca Pardini
Francesca Pardini
21:57 26 Aug 19
Bravo! This was my second time working with Mark and he continues to wow me with his professionalism and commitment for satisfaction. He delivered everything I was hoping for and then some. I would highly recommend Mark to everyone in the art game 🙂
Samuel Thom
Samuel Thom
09:23 25 Aug 19
Highly Recommended.
Neil Hunt
Neil Hunt
13:06 14 Aug 19
This was a very good experience. Service was friendly, prompt, clear and efficient. Well done Mark and thanks
neil meaney
neil meaney
17:23 13 Aug 19
Very happy i used Mark Little to handle the sale of my bottle,sent pictures,got offer,accepted offer and a week later received payment. Dedicated packaging supplied and postage label for small fee so completely hassle free. Only left house to go to post office.Would definitely use again and glad i came across his website.
scott gilmour
scott gilmour
18:01 12 Aug 19
Fast and easy service and very professional
Nicola Ratcliffe
Nicola Ratcliffe
17:07 02 Aug 19
Thank you Mark for a very smooth transaction. You were a pleasure to deal with and the service we received was very professional and very quick.
Laura Falconer
Laura Falconer
13:53 23 Jul 19
Really pleased that I chose Mark to broker and manage the sale of my two Bruichladdich casks. He was extremely professional, very pleasant to deal with and I was very satisfied with the price he managed to obtain for both my casks. I would have no hesitation in recommending him and his service.
Sean Faughey
Sean Faughey
03:40 19 Jul 19
Made selling my bottle a pleasurable experience. Professional and helpful from start to finish. A1 service.
L Milne
L Milne
20:04 16 Jul 19
Regarding a Scotch Whisky sale, I found no problems or concerns at any stage of the transaction with Mark Littler. Communication was excellent, the whole process from start to finish was professionally and meticulously explained & executed on a short timescale. From the initial contact, to the offer, the packaging & carriage arrangements, to the conclusion of the sale, all were expertly handled. I wish Mark Littler every success in the future.
Pamela Shennan
Pamela Shennan
16:42 16 Jul 19
I have received professional and prompt advice and help selling my bottle of single malt whisky distilled in 1971. I had nearly given it away!!
chris Liddle
chris Liddle
16:00 14 Jul 19
Excellent friendly super fast service..Thank you Mark.
Lindsay Whitson
Lindsay Whitson
19:48 12 Jul 19
I recently sold a bottle of Springbank using Mark's services. Excellent response, quick turn around and fast payment. Could not fault this service everything went as planned.
Thasoula CAMPBELL
Thasoula CAMPBELL
12:40 12 Jul 19
Mark Littler provided what we can only describe as an outstanding service in relation to the sale of some family casks of whisky. The whole process was conducted professionally and we were kept well- informed at every stage. We thoroughly and unhesitatingly recommend anyone considering the use of an independent broker to go to Mark's firm. Thank you, Mark.Jonathan and Thasoula Campbell
Lorraine Flockhart
Lorraine Flockhart
11:42 11 Jul 19
Mark provided an outstanding 5 star service in the sale of our whisky casks. He gave professional & knowledgable advice & we could not be happier with the outcome. He made the often administratively tricky process of whisky cask sales seamless for us & the whole transaction was extremely efficient. Communication was excellent from start to finish & we would have no hesitation in highly recommending the service Mark offers. Do not hesitate; we will actively be seeking to use his services again!Lorraine Flockhart
epi 250
epi 250
10:10 10 Jul 19
Contacted to sell cask of whisky. I could not have asked for better service, communication or completion of the process. Expectations and explanations were handled well, and everything went smoothly right up to and including the final payment for selling of the cask. If you have whisky to sell, I would make Mark Littler your first choice to handle things for you.
Omega_InStincz
Omega_InStincz
18:56 02 Jul 19
Mark is highly professional and he explained every step of the process clearly.I would highly recommend him and it was pleasure doing business with him.
Kath Roberts
Kath Roberts
15:54 25 Jun 19
Very efficient professional and friendly service, never felt pressured into selling with Mark Littler, but very happy we did decide to go with him, after checking out other companies. Well deserved five star service!
Mark Williams
Mark Williams
09:01 24 Jun 19
Mark conducted a high value sale transaction for me acting as broker. A complex process, clearly explained at each step of the way. Great communication and willing to go the extra mile when it mattered.Entirely trustworthy and highly recommended.
Catherine Hurst
Catherine Hurst
15:22 14 Jun 19
I know nothing about whisky, but Mark certainly does. Fantastic service - friendly, efficient and I felt trustworthy. There is no pressure from Mark to sell, just the opposite. Highly recommend and I hope I have reason to do business with him again.
Adrian Thompson
Adrian Thompson
07:51 14 Jun 19
Having decided to sell our cask of Bruicladdich (which was held at the distillery), but with no idea how to do it, we approached Mark. He informed us of the process, both by email and over the ‘phone and then found a buyer prepared to offer significantly more than the distillery buy-back offer. Mark then arranged transfer of ownership and once that was completed we were promptly paid.Thank you Mark, we couldn’t have done this without you and we were pleased to find that you lived up to you many excellent reviews!D. Lee, A. Payne and A.Thompson
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About Mark Littler - Mark Littler provides an independent antique valuation and sale service that is trusted by collectors and antique owners across the UK. Mark sells through both antique auctions and private sales. Mark’s expertise as an Independent Whisky Broker has helped clients sell their Casks of Whisky for hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Mark Littler - Antique Valuer & Antique Consultant - 2018 | Auctions in Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cumbria & Wales

 

 

 

 

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