Jetgala - MAR-MAY 2023

84 no matter how effortless it is to keep. (Unlike wine, whisky does not require any refrigerator; it does not spoil and can easily be stored upright.) It also requires time and effort to research and understand how primary and secondary markets (auctions and private sales) work.  Investing in a cask through the primary supplier or by way of an investment fund does take away the hassle, but admittedly requires a significantly larger sum of money.Also, barrels are stored far away in bonded warehouses, in Scotland and not in your bar cabinet.  Both channels of bottles and casks offer investors various entry points into the whisky investment world based on their budget and tastes.  THE CHANGING FACE OFTHE WHISKY COLLECTORS  In Asia, investors are younger and savvier and no longer dominated by men.The average whisky collectors are in their late 30s or 40s and hail from emerging markets like China andTaiwan. Kishnani finds that the younger generation is always looking for alternative investment opportunities, and whisky, commonly referred to as liquid gold, holds sway due to its history and heritage and then, its collectability.  The serious connoisseurs, though just as young, are increasingly educated about the category.While new investors lean towards first releases from renowned brands like Macallan or Diageo, seasoned aficionados are guided by their whisky preferences: rich and peaty, dried fruit, nutty, smoky, or spicy.They build their collection to their taste, with a view that if all else fails, they can always drink it.  Bilbey has observed during his tenure with Sotheby’s and Christie’s that The original Brora two classic copper pot stills have been refurbished PHOTOS: DIAGEO The Macallan 1926 Valerio Adami 60 Year Old Above: Springbank 50 Year Old PHOTO: RARE WHISKY HOLDINGS L