Whiskies As An Alternative Investment

Everyone loves a well-aged whisky, but some are channelling their appreciation in a fiscal-forward direction

- Evigan Xiao

THE PRACTICE OF INVESTMENT is by no means strange. One might even argue that farming was the first example of investment observed in human history. A farmer had to assess the arability of the soil, study climate conditions and factor in the viability of the chosen crops. And if said farmer played his/ her cards right (along with a measure of luck), then the harvest could be bountiful.

Modern investing in stock markets are no different in theory, albeit with different factors and variables. In recent times, however, the financially savvy have begun exploring alternative investment vehicles. Whisky is a rising star in this evolving landscape, and this has led to the eminence of brokerages such as Rare Finds Worldwide (RFW), which counts rare single malt Scotch whiskies as their speciality.

RFW has announced plans for a bespoke rare whisky brokerage service in Singapore, alongside a new private whisky equity fund. In anticipation of this, we thought it prudent to speak with Murray Holdgate, general partner of RFW, to learn more about whisky as an investment.

What contributed to whisky becoming a popular alternative form of investment?

Whisky is a viable asset unrelated to market volatility. Unlike wine or many other investable commodities, its value appreciates steadily and ages only in the cask as a natural hedge against sale price.