Another month and a few new casks. These include 5 hogsheads of Aberlour 4/2011, another 5 barrels of 1998 Bowmore, 5 hogsheads of 1996 Dalmore (a mature and very drinkable whisky), 2 more hogsheads of March 1991 Cragganmore. These Cragganmore casks are excellent and previous examples have sold well. Possibly the pick of the bunch, 2 hogsheads of 1974 Inchgower.  Anyone bottling these should be able to make a decent profit.

The paperwork and uplifting of casks usually takes a few weeks and to reduce transportation costs, which can be significant, I try to ensure that most deliveries involve at least twenty casks. If there are just a few casks and they are located in the Glasgow/Edinburg area, then I find it cheaper just to pick them up in a sealed Ford Transit. You can learn quite a lot through visiting Bonded Warehouses and it offers a chance to see what’s available. Whilst it’s nice to visit the Central Belt, I think when it comes to choosing a place to live, it will probably be the more remote but beautiful Dumfries and Galloway for me.  

As most readers will be aware the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 prohibits the export of whisky in casks so quite a lot of whisky now leaves Scotland in a plastic drum with the empty oak barrel usually strapped to the pallet. From 2012 it will only be possible to export Malt whisky in bottles.

For any of you reading these brief monthly newsletters and buying casks from me, you should know that your purchases are contributing to the start-up of a small whisky business. Six months after commencing I’m reasonably confident that over the next few years the business will grow. It is also encouraging that I’ve received a lot of help from whisky enthusiasts and clubs in almost every country in Europe….. So watch this space and it may give a little insight into the delights and the difficulties of building a small business in the wonderful export driven world of Scotch whisky.

With less than 2 weeks to go until my wedding on the 21st May, if any of you want to buy a cask or indeed have your cask bottled, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. I’ll be back from my honeymoon on the 7th June. It’s doubtful if my new boss will allow me to check or reply to emails while away!

Casks Currently Available:

Bottles Currently Available:

Distilled at  Price (not including postage)
 
Caol Ila 27 year old, 70cl, 53.1% £49
 
Cragganmore 20 year old, 70cl, 54.2%  £37
 
Glen Grant 17 year old, 70cl, 55%  £40
 
“Mystery Whisky”, 20 year old, 70cl, 55.8% (label gives clues to distillery name)  £36
 
Bottles available at www.whiskybroker.co.uk/acatalog/shophome.html

Trade prices for bottles are available upon request.

If there is anything you would like to see available, please let me know and I’ll keep an eye open for it. Please write a comment on the guestbook of my website, especially if you have purchased a cask. Finally, if you have any website related suggestions, don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Regards,

Martin Armstrong
www.whiskybroker.co.uk
info@whiskybroker.co.uk