FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We're Here to Support You
At Rodrigues & Ross, we’re committed to supporting all clients, regardless of portfolio size, whether you're buying or selling your casks, or if you’re completely new to the cask market.
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We’ve put together this helpful FAQ page, which we hope provides answers to questions which tend to come up.
If you can't find what you’re looking for, please feel free to get in touch.
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What is whisky cask investment, and how does Rodrigues & Ross facilitate it?
Whisky and Rum cask collection involves the acquisition of barrels directly from distilleries with the aim of maturing and eventually selling them for profit. Rodrigues & Ross acts as the conduit, connecting investors with reputable distilleries and guiding them through the entire process from start to finish.
How does the process work, and where are my casks stored?
Investors partner with Rodrigues & Ross to appoint an expert cask trader to select premium stock from renowned distilleries. Once purchased, these casks are securely stored in regulated warehouses, where they mature over time. When the whisky reaches optimal maturity, investors have the option to sell their casks for potential returns.
Why should we choose you and not another company?
Collecting casks with Rodrigues & Ross offers numerous benefits, most prominently is our history and expertise in this thriving market. Our founders are directly descended from two notable cask merchants from hundreds of years ago. Cask trading is in our blood, and we pride ourselves on this culture. Therefore we have inherit experience of this market, and how it has adapted over the centuries to form a tangible means of capital appreciation for our clients.
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Our exit commission (a fee which we apply to the profit we have made you - and the profit alone) is considerably lower than most whisky cask investment firms. We only apply 10% commission (on a sliding scale - speak to one of our brokers for details as this varies for trade size) to your profit upon exit, and this does not include the initial value of your casks. Some companies charge 20% of the gross (including the initial value of your cask).
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For scotch whisky, we also provide the Deliver Order (or DO for short), which enables clients to have 100% full freehold ownership over the cask. A number of firms can not, or choose not to offer this, and this is a very important factor in ensuring that you are in control of your stock, and not the distillery or the company you bought the whisky through.
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What factors influence the value of casks?
The value of cask spirits is influenced by various factors, including the age, rarity, quality, brand reputation, and market demand for the whisky, whiskey or rum in question. Additionally, industry trends and consumer preferences play a significant role in determining cask values. For this reason, it is important to partner with a company such as Rodrigues & Ross - we act as your eyes and ears in this market, and our team of analysts constantly review the financial markets daily for news which can influence luxury markets such as whisky, whiskey, wine and rum.
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We therefore know how to best advise on both long-term and short-term strategies, based on the microeconomic and macroeconomic trends that face the world today.
What's the difference between Whisky and Whiskey - is it just the spelling?
There is a difference here - the main one being that 'Whisky' refers to the Scotch, Canadian and Japanese spirits. 'Whiskey' refers to the Irish and American spirits.
What is the typical holding period for casks?
How long is a piece of string? Cask investments with Rodrigues & Ross typically mature over several years, ranging from 5 to 20 years depending on the specific market conditions. But we have had experience of shorter hold times.
Are there risks associated with casks?
As with any investment, cask acquisition carries inherent risks, including market fluctuations, regulatory changes, quality variations, and unforeseen events. Rodrigues & Ross advises investors to conduct thorough research and exercise caution before investing, but we are experts in this field, and our honest advice is always given with you - the cask owner, in mind.
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Casks are fully insured and stored in temperature-controlled HMRC or Government regulated bonded Warehouses, making them incredibly safe and protected from damage, fire and theft.
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How do I purchase casks?
Getting involved is very simple, we use a 4 step process:
1. First, we check that your outlay is suitable for the available stock from our Blue-chip distillery partners.
2. Secondly, we go to work to source and match the right stock with you, and guide you through the strategy for the particular acquisition.
3. Third, we require clients to complete a simple stock reservation form, which ring-fences the stock, reserves it in your name and protects the stock from impending price increases. We require new clients to send a form of Photo ID and proof of address, so that we can satisfy our compliance check.
4. Once your casks are reserved, we send out an electronic invoice to complete the trade. Once finalised, we then send out your certificates and other relevant documentation in the post to you, along with a bottle of Scotch, Irish Single Malt, or Añejo Rum as a thank you for choosing us.
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And that's simply it. We then update you quarterly or annually to report how well your portfolio is performing, and advise on new opportunities as and when they arise.
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See our contact page to book in a time to speak with one of our experienced Portfolio Managers so we can guide you through some potential options.
What services do you provide for cask investors?
Rodrigues & Ross offers comprehensive services, including cask sourcing, storage in bonded warehouses and distilleries, management of the maturation process, performance updates, and assistance with cask liquidation when you decide to sell.
Is the cask market regulated?
This question comes up from time-to-time. Similar to the vast majority of buy-to-let mortgages and aspects of property investment; the whisky, whiskey and rum cask markets are not formally regulated by the FCA, and as a result it remains Capital Gains Tax-free, which affords investors incredible room for capital appreciation.
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However, just because a market is not regulated, it does not mean that your asset isn't protected. Casks are protected in a multitude of ways through insurance and strict HMRC governed storage regulations. Casks are fully insured and stored in temperature-controlled Government-regulated bonded warehouses, making them incredibly safe and protected from damage, fire or theft.
So, while casks are not regulated by the FCA, they are physically held in a government-regulated storage facility under bond, and insured to the market value.
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It is important to remember the demand which the cask market is perpetually under too, which positively influences the value and growth of cask spirits. Scotch whisky alone accounts for 20% of the UK's food and beverage exports, and 70% of Scotland's food and beverage exports. Irish Whiskey is now coined as the fastest-growing premium spirit category in the world, and is gaining serious momentum to compete with it's Scotch and Japanese rivals.
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Much like Whisk(e)y, Rum has also been traded for centuries and is now becoming increasingly popular as an ingredient in cocktails, cooking, and sipping over ice. TheSpiritsBusiness.com recently reported that rum sales surpassed whisky last year in Great Britain, and the market has an enormous capacity for growth.
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How do I liquidate my cask holding?
When investors choose to liquidate part of, or all of their cask portfolio, Rodrigues & Ross facilitates the process, handling all necessary paperwork and ensuring a seamless transition of ownership.
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For further queries or assistance regarding whiskey cask investments through Rodrigues & Ross, please feel free to contact us here. We're dedicated to guiding you through the world of cask asset acquisition with expertise and reliability.