Pour de force of liquid art
Willie Phillips of The Macallan once said: “You have no guarantee that these people will be around when you want to sell your cask.” There are many who want to own the best of fine wines, champagne and single malts. Besides making for a great tipple, these are also a great form of investment.
Vast collections of rare vintage wines have been part of Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction for years. The Dalmore, The Macallan, Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Port Ellen are some of the names that give an instant high to those who have arrived in life. Besides stocking on expensive bottles that you can uncork when the occasion arises, these can also be a wise investment.
High notes
Heemanshu Ashar, a wine afficionado and former president of the Bangalore Wine Club, opines, “There is a trend to look at Investment Grade Wines (IGW) and malts; this is for people who have exhausted all appetite for investment of real estate, mutual funds, metals and art that offer a novelty. These have been featured by Sotheby’s and Christie’s and wealth management companies in Western countries for a long time.” Talking about his treasure, he adds, “It’s like ‘liquid art’ bought to be enjoyed and hedged away for the nest egg. Research and talk to the experts before you pick yours, as chances are that you might get ripped off, but that is when money and experience exchange hands. Though investment in wines and single malts is still in its nascent stage in India, it’ll soon catch on.”
Palate pleasures
Tastes are very personal as ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison’. Sandeep Arora, director of ‘Spirit’ual Luxury Living, an international luxury spirits and whiskey firm, has in his prized possessions Girvan 1964, 37 YO, Glenfiddich 1973, 33 YO, Diadema, Italian wine, Coal Ila, 1979, Glenfiddich 40 YO, Dalmore 40 YO and Cristal Champagne. He adds, “One needs to check the source before buying. It’s best to go with one’s personal choice of labels. The trend is definitely catching on in India.”
Mad about malt
Who can forget the Macallan 1947 by the Edrington Group that was up for a whopping `28 lakh for 700 ml. Agreeing to fine wines being a great way to add diversity to one’s portfolio, Kapil Sekhri, director Fratelli wines, shares, “Investing in fine wines is a huge trend internationally and the same is now catching up with respect to the Indian investor, but investing in it needs knowledge, experience, understanding of the beverage and the business as wine breathes, ages, matures and peaks at a certain age.” Agrees winemaker, Four Seasons, Abhay Kewadkar, “Wine and whiskey investments are getting popular as their value appreciates. Also besides selling them you have an option of consuming them.”
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