The Whiskey Wash has partnered with our colleagues at Mark Littler Ltd to offer a bespoke selection of scotch whisky barrels.
Each option is hand picked by the Mark Littler Ltd team to offer the best selection of whisky for long term investment, experience or bottling.
Find out more information on availability, selecting the right barrel for you and how to apply.
Mark Littler Ltd is an independent whisky brokerage led by Mark Littler, Editor-in-Chief of The Whiskey Wash.
Over the past decade, Mark has built a reputation for helping clients navigate the cask market with clarity and transparency. Alongside running one of the world’s most-read whisky publications, he is a Spears 500-recommended advisor, a Forbes contributor, and has been thanked in discussions in the Scottish Parliament relating to safeguarding the whisky industry.
Casks offered through the brokerage are carefully selected for a range of purposes, whether for long-term investment, private bottling, or building a personal collection.
For more information on current availability please get in touch using the form below.
If you’re just beginning your journey into buying and owning barrels of scotch whisky then make sure you download the free PDF Barrel Buying Guide for a comprehensive introduction.
You can also explore our Learning Center to explore FAQs and in depth guides on all aspects of barrel ownership.
At The Whiskey Wash, we’ve partnered with Mark Littler Ltd, whiskey barrel specialists since 2016, to bring you the definitive guide to scotch whisky barrel ownership.
Ready to make an informed decision about whisky barrel investment? Complete the form below to download our expert guide, developed from years of industry experience and aligned with Scotch Whisky Association recommendations.
Mark Littler Ltd has been working with scotch whisky barrels since 2016. In 2019 it became obvious that there was a gap in the market for clear, education and experience driven barrel ownership, and this is what the Mark Littler team focuses on when they sell barrels of whisky (scotch is spelled without the e).
Owning a whisky barrel can be rewarding and over the long term potentially profitable, but it is important to understand the concept and limitations to ensure you are making the right choice for you. This is where the Mark Littler team’s expertise comes in.
All barrels of scotch sold through Mark Littler Ltd are transferred at the warehouse level via a delivery order acknowledged by the warehouse.
This gives complete ownership and control over the barrel. That means full flexibility when you come to sell, as well as the option to draw samples or bottle the whisky if you choose to (fees and taxes apply).
Mark Littler Ltd work with warehouses across Scotland to offer a range of services levels, from warehouse visits to bottling facilities.
Prices for barrels of scotch whisky depend on cask size, age and distillery. Prices typically start around £1,700 for a new make barrel (roughly 200liters) and around £3,000 for a “young” barrel.
Availability of different cask sizes and distilleries types varies and you should get in touch using the form above to find out current availability and prices.
A range of barrel/cask types and sizes are available, including barrels, hogsheads and butts, and ex-bourbon, and ex-sherry casks.
Alternative cask types can be provided for re-racking if required.
Please note that cask availability varies and you should get in touch using the form above to find out current availability and prices.
Yes you can sell barrels bought through Mark Littler Ltd as a cask, or you can choose to bottle it (taxes and bottling costs apply).
Final bottle count is variable. Bottle numbers depend on:
– The original size of the cask,
– The rate of natural evaporation, which averages 1 to 4% to year,
– The bottling strength.
On fill standard casks can contain up to:
– A barrel filled at 200liters would have around 285 70cl bottles at cask strength.
– A hogshead filled at 250 liters would have around 357 70cl bottles at cask strength.
These levels drop over time due to natural evaporation, and original fill levels vary slightly too.
Bottling costs depend on the number of bottles and the taxes at the time of bottling. We suggest exploring the Mark Littler Ltd Cask Calculator to find out more about bottling a cask of whisky.
Estimated costs: bottled at cask strength after 5 years in Nc’Nean house bottles
-Bourbon barrel: £4,400
-UK Duty: £3,445
-Bottling cost: £1,482
-UK VAT: £1,865
-Total: £11,193
Estimated per bottle cost: £45
Please note that the UK Duty Rate is correct at the time of writing but may increase before bottling.
You are free to sell your barrel at any point. However, if you are buying a new make or young barrel of scotch whisky as a potential investment then we would suggest a minimum hold period of ten years.
Ideally you should aim to get a barrel to 18 years or older to get the best returns. Every barrel matures uniquely and we suggest monitoring the whisky’s strength and evaporation rates via a regauge every 3 to 5 years.
If you are buying a mature barrel of whisky then please discuss potential hold periods with us to ensure we are able to offer something suitable for your needs.
Mark Littler Ltd works with a selection of bonded warehouses across Scotland with services and facilities to suit a range of needs. Storage location will be specified in your contract and you will have an account at the warehouse.
Storage must be paid annually to the warehouse.
In addition we would suggest reguaging every three to five years.
Costs for these vary depending on the warehouse where the cask is stored.
Samples, re-racking/re-casking, visiting the cask, bottling, moving warehouses, etc., are all examples of potential costs.
Different warehouses offer different services. If visiting the barrel is a priority for your ownership experience then let us know so we can offer you casks in suitable locations or help you move the cask.
Bottling is done at your own cost and can be fully customised.
Bottling costs start from £5.50 for a basic bottle and label.
Mark Littler Ltd can introduce you to suitable designers if needed.
UK residency is not necessary to own a barrel of scotch whisky.
New make spirit is the term for freshly distilled spirit produced by distilleries. The spirit isn’t classed as scotch whisky until it has spent three or more years in an oak cask.
Every cask bought through Mark Littler Ltd is transferred at the warehouse level into an account in your name.
Documentation is provided as per the Scotch Whisky Association guidelines, to include:
– Contract of sale including full cask details and location
– A copy of the invoice
– A warehouse acknowledged delivery order
