Whisky- The Liquid Gold?

Whisky can be a smart investment for those in the know.

- Simone Andrea Mayer

Investing in whisky may seem unconventional, but it’s actually a good way to get a respectable return for very little capital. Investors need a fair amount of knowledge about the spirit to make a good choice, but if it doesn’t work out, they can always just drink it.

Whisky comes in many sorts, with some being so valuable that they are actually worth investing in. However, it’s important that potential investors have a solid knowledge of the spirit.

Whisky can be full of surprises, and the more you learn about this unique spirit, the more exciting the stories become - from lost distilleries to rediscovered old stocks.

Whisky connoisseurs also eventually start thinking about getting their hands on a rare bottle or two. But instead of drinking the whisky, it can pay to hold on to the bottle and see its value grow.

However, buyers must know exactly what to look for.

“Investing in alcohol may well sound very unconventional,” says Stephan Witt of Finum Private Finance AG in Berlin. But such an investment can certainly pay off.

“There are hardly any special requirements for investors, and even with comparatively little capital, a quite respectable return can be achieved.”

Marco Jansen of the asset management firm Oberbanscheidt & Cie and a partner in Whisky Investments, agrees. Despite the recent rise in prices, he continues to rate the outlook for this asset class as good.