Whisky investment - Roskrow v Buxton

[Exciseman]

Reading Dominic Roskrow's blog of 3rd December 2011 on whisky investment, I saw that he vehemently disagreed with Ian Buxton's article on the subject. Some good points made by both writers. For my part though, I agree 100% with Dominic.

[Malt-Teaser]

I reserve the right to do whatever I want with the whisky I buy.

I think this was one of the points made by Dominic too.

[Aidan]

Where can I find this blog?

[Aidan]

Found it. I have to say I've a lot of respect for Buxton. However, most people who give out about investors are just desperate to tell everyone how much integrity they have. I don't like the idea of snatching a whisky from under a drinker's nose to sell on, though. That seems a bit wrong. I don't know.

[Aidan]

Actually, reading Buxton's article, he also makes some very good points...

[DavidUK]

Ian Buxton is misguided in this instance and shows a lack of understanding on the subject of investing in whisky

[Pete Smoke]

Found it. I have to say I've a lot of respect for Buxton. However, most people who give out about investors are just desperate to tell everyone how much integrity they have. I don't like the idea of snatching a whisky from under a drinker's nose to sell on, though. That seems a bit wrong. I don't know.

Petty much how i'd call it.


Reading Buxton's article i found it to be slightly vague, or brief, no real substance with what he's trying to say. Nothing wrong with that, it is what it is, just a lighthearted perhaps romantic opinion. But Roskrow seems mightily over-offended by it, and to cite 'libel' and 'insulting' is pathetic.

[Rogerdodger]

Found it. I have to say I've a lot of respect for Buxton. However, most people who give out about investors are just desperate to tell everyone how much integrity they have. I don't like the idea of snatching a whisky from under a drinker's nose to sell on, though. That seems a bit wrong. I don't know.

Petty much how i'd call it.


Reading Buxton's article i found it to be slightly vague, or brief, no real substance with what he's trying to say. Nothing wrong with that, it is what it is, just a lighthearted perhaps romantic opinion. But Roskrow seems mightily over-offended by it, and to cite 'libel' and 'insulting' is pathetic.

Agreed. I don't agree with everything IB said, although I understand where he's coming from. It irks me somewhat that some bottlings are out of reach for many as investors snatch them up, thus forcing up prices. Dom's reply is positively incendiary however, although I agree with most things he writes. If people want to keep their Whisky with an eye to long-term investment, they will. I would guess that many of us here have some bottles squirrelled away - either (as Dom writes) to sell on at a decent profit or to drink with the kids/friends.

[whiskytime]

I think they both make good points. I buy whisky/whiskey with the thought of drinking it - not a as a financial investment (I buy what I would like to drink - not just what's cool or recommended). However, I have so many bottles & I keep buying more, probably won't stop buying more so I may not get to all of them....then I might become an "investor" if I sell them for more than I paid. Or I could just have one heck of a party!

[dramtastic]

I still haven't figured who to leave the one's I'm stashing away to in my will if I die before I get to open them.

[Rogerdodger]

I still haven't figured who to leave the one's I'm stashing away to in my will if I die before I get to open them.

Me. Me. Me. Me.

[Pete Smoke]

I still haven't figured who to leave the one's I'm stashing away to in my will if I die before I get to open them.

I'll have the Hakushus. Not too particular about the Yamazakis.

[Willie JJ]

your investment will not necessarily give you headline treble digit growth, but it will make you money.

This statement from Roskrow is irresponsible in my opinion. No investment guarantees a return (consider those that have invested in European government bonds) and whisky is far from safe. He accuses Buxton of considering the short term but has done the same thing himself. Just because whisky prices have rocketed in the last few years does not mean it will continue indefinitely.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

I'll have the Hakushus.

Gesundheit!

[MacDeffe]

No investment guarantees a return

All my investments ends up giving zero return for some odd reason

I think investing in whisky is interesting. Only thing that slightly annoys me are those releases geting sold out in a minute and then loads of bottles on fleabay the same day. But I am pretty realistic and dont believe that will change!

When I see a good deal in a shop I always try to leave at least 1 bottle for the next whisky lover to come by. I've heard that's good whisky karma

Steffen

[C57]

You will reap your rewards Steffen (I hope!)

[Willie JJ]

All my investments ends up giving zero return for some odd reason

Steffen its only a zero return if you get back what you paid for it and I'm pretty sure that's not happening in either of our houses. Its negative returns (losses) for us I'm afraid.

[MacDeffe]

Steffen its only a zero return if you get back what you paid for it and I'm pretty sure that's not happening in either of our houses. Its negative returns (losses) for us I'm afraid.

I should start to learn to express myself correct , or maybe think more about money and less about whisky

Steffen

[RegularChumpington]

I disagree with Dom on general principle. That doesn't mean I agree with Buxton either.

I just can't agree with anyone who likes the Dalmore or Glenrothes that much.

[dramtastic]

I just can't agree with anyone who likes the Dalmore or Glenrothes that much.

True Dat

[dramtastic]

Gotta admit I have no idea who those guys are and without going into my personal opinion on investing in whisky for profit, I did read their respective whisky blogs(how many of these things are there) and the only thing that would actually make it interesting is if those 2 duked it out in the octagon. Well maybe duking is not quite right for a couple of whisky geeks, more like bitch slapping and hair pulling. Or give one a pen and one a sword and see which one is mightier.

[C57]

I just can't agree with anyone who likes the Dalmore or Glenrothes that much.

True Dat

^^ +1 although if you include Rothes other than Select Reserve, I'd part company

[andyt]

. In both cases it’s about looking at statistics, weighing up probabilities, and investing wisely.

If you do that and are patient, your investment will not necessarily give you headline treble digit growth, but it will make you money.

By qualifying the investment as being wise I think he removes himself from any charge of a guaranteed return, however I still feel it is at the very least an imprudent statement likely to misinterpretation. From a purely personal point of view I expected better.

[RegularChumpington]

I just can't agree with anyone who likes the Dalmore or Glenrothes that much.

True Dat

^^ +1 although if you include Rothes other than Select Reserve, I'd part company

'94 doesn't do it for me. I would admit that '85 would be throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Then again I'm a fan of Balblair which seems to divide similarly so maybe we call it even.

It does seem a bit off to me (personally) that he's advocating whisky as an investment vehicle on one hand, but is also one of the more visible boosters of the "rare", "exclusive" Dalmore releases. I don't know, the whole manufactured exclusivity/scarcity of those has always been questionable to me. I don't begrudge Paterson for... being Paterson... around them, it's his job and I'm sure he's proud of what he's created.

DR's involvement, however, has just seemed strange to me. Especially when he's also advising it as an investment opportunity.

[insert obvious "liquid asset" remark]

[mongo]

yeah--obvious conflict of interest. that he's so pissed off about someone mentioning it is telling as well.