Whisky FAQs
Is whisky cask investment worth it?
Like with any investment, whisky casks don't guarantee strong financial returns once bottling and existing costs are deducted. However, investing in cask whisky can be a satisfying journey if you go in with the right mindset. Rare bottles can be more practical to trade and auction, but the process is not as personal.
Being involved in the craft of English whisky can be incredibly rewarding; you get the opportunity to watch your cask being filled, visit the distillery yearly and taste your whisky as it matures. Investing in English Single Malt Whisky is a great way to build a family legacy, and it makes the perfect wedding or coming of age gift.
If you'd like to see what a cask investment can eventually become, our Cotswolds Single Sherry (Oloroso Spanish Oak) Cask is a great example of a bottled single cask release.
What is the best whisky to buy as an investment?
Choosing a whisky based on flavour profile is often more helpful than focusing on age or price. A good and safe choice for gifting whisky is a smooth and approachable single malt style - like the Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky. Incredibly versatile and made with local Cotswolds ingredients, it can be enjoyed neat, in a cocktail or with a mixer. That makes it a reliable and thoughtful choice for both newer whisky drinkers and those looking for a quality English single malt.
What is the "angels' share"?
The "angel's share" refers to a portion of liquid that evaporates from the barrel during maturation, which concentrates the flavour, but reduces the alcoholic strength (ABV) and volume. This loss is romantically referred to by distillers as "taken by the angels."
Although excessive loss is not economical and can impact the final yield and potential cask value, insufficient loss can indicate a stagnant maturation environment.
How safe is whisky investment in the UK?
No investment avenue is without its risks. However, people tend to invest into whisky casks for the love of the craft and passion for single malt whisky over the promise of financial returns.
It can be a fantastic experience to follow the journey of your favourite whisky as it matures and when it finally does, you can gift or sell your own English single malt.
How much does a whisky cask cost?
The cost depends on the cask type you choose. We offer three: 200 litre first-fill Bourbon casks, 225 litre ex-red wine STR casks, and 250 litre sherry casks, each priced differently based on the oak and how it's sourced. Your purchase covers the cask itself and up to 10 years of storage and insurance in our bonded warehouse in the Cotswolds, so there's nothing more to pay until you choose to bottle. At that point, duty, VAT and bottling charges apply based on the strength and number of bottles you take.
For current pricing on each cask type, email us at caskbuying@cotswoldsdistillery.com and we'll send it straight over.
How do I buy a whisky cask?
To purchase a cask from Cotswolds Distillery, email caskbuying@cotswoldsdistillery.com with the cask type you'd like, and we'll send over the paperwork. Once payment is complete, we'll confirm your filling date. You're welcome to visit and watch your cask being filled, or if you can't make it, we'll photograph the process for you. You're also welcome to sign the cask yourself.
Please note we can only fill a limited number of private casks each month, so filling dates are proposed once payment has been received.
What's the difference between a cask share and buying a full cask?
At the moment, we only offer full cask ownership, not part-shares. When you buy a cask, it's entirely yours, stored in our bonded warehouse under your name.
What is flexible is how you bottle it: you can bottle the cask in full at the end of maturation, paying duty, VAT and bottling charges at that point, or you can choose to bottle just a third of it at no extra charge, in which case we retain the remaining two-thirds. Either way, ownership of the cask itself stays with you alone.
When can I bottle my cask?
That's entirely your decision. Your cask can mature in our warehouse for up to 10 years, and how long you leave it will shape the final flavour and ABV. Different cask types mature at different rates, and our distillers are always happy to advise on nose, palate and finish as your cask develops.
When you're ready, we ask for a minimum of 90 days' notice to arrange bottling. Bottling is carried out by us at the prevailing rate, and the cask must be bottled in its entirety. Once bottled, you can either collect your bottles or we can arrange delivery to a UK address.
Can I visit my cask?
Yes. Cask owners are invited to an exclusive annual cask tasting, where we draw a sample straight from your cask so you can see how it's maturing. If you're not able to visit for the tasting, we'll gladly draw the sample on request and hold it here at the distillery until you're able to make the trip. Your cask's journey is yours to follow, and we're glad to have you along for it.