2. Getting into
the Spirit
Single malt whisky is fast becoming Asia’s and bring them directly to our private
leading liquid investment showing returns clients on an exclusive basis.
that have outperformed all the more
traditional investments, including stocks With a solid reputation and unrivaled
& shares, managed funds & even property. network of supply, our private clients have
access the most sought after and lucrative
Established to meet the ever growing opportunities in the whisky market. Our
demand for single malt whisky, GSM is investment portfolios are tailored by the
the preferred hub for securing and trading markets leading experts and consist of
whisky in Asia’s rapidly expanding and investment grade whiskies, limited edition
highly lucrative market. From our head bottlings and private cask offerings from
office in Hong Kong and trading office in the likes of The Macallan, The Dalmore,
Shanghai, GSM’s regional network allows Bowmore and many more.
us to identify the best-performing whiskies
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3. A Look at
the Market
However, since the late 90’s the demand In 2008, the (WH) Index was introduced
for the world’s luxury spirit has exploded to track the performance of single malt
globally, particularly in countries like whisky at auction. Since 2008-2012,
Russia, India and especially China. the prices of the top 100 whiskies have
increased in value by 242% and the
Since the turn of the century, sales in top 10 by a phenomenal 381%. This
China alone have risen from HK$10 spectacular rise outstripped some of the
million (US$1.3 million), to over HK$1 best performing investments, including
billion (US$129 million) per annum. This gold, which appreciated by 146% over the
figure is rapidly on the rise as the Chinese same period.
Government forecasts sales to rise a further
100%+ in the next three to five years. This The market is showing astonishing returns
impact will ensure prices continue to rise and GSM provides a successful, rewarding
to all time highs as the very limited vintage diversification from a more traditional
stocks diminish. investment portfolio.
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4. Trusted
Advisors
Together with a team of market analysts In 2012, he received commendations from
and industry experts, GSM’s Chief Whisky Alex Salmond; Scotland’s First Minister
Adviser is Steve Notman; Scotland’s and became the youngest person in history
Ambassador to whisky in China and judge to receive the industry’s most prestigious
at the World Whisky Awards and Wine & award, ‘The Keeper of the Quaich’. The
Spirits Competition here in Asia. award was given in recognition to his
outstanding services to the Scottish whisky
Steve actively works with the Scottish industry and this influence allows us to
Government, the SWA and leading Scotch source the most sought after and exclusive
whisky brands specifically on whisky whiskies in the market.
mentorship, protection and training.
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5. Managing your
Investment
We provide you with market updates, auction in Asia and represent the ultimate
portfolio assessments and advice regarding liquid investment.
the development of your whisky portfolio.
Our exclusive portfolios consist of some of We aim to provide you with a diverse range
the finest, rare and unique whiskies from of investment opportunities, ranging from
Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. short (1-3 years) and medium (3-5 years) to
The whiskies are all proven performers at long term holds (5-10 years).
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6. Trading
Partnered with Bonham’s Hong Kong, even greater success. GSM’s Private Client
private clients in Asia are now in a position to Department will assist in arranging the
benefit directly from this rapidly expanding necessary paperwork for auction and in
and highly lucrative investment market. identifying the highest prices in the market
to trade their portfolio.
Bonham’s is one of the world’s leading
auction houses and have achieved great Auction fees typically work out at around
success in launching single malt whisky 15%-20%.
into Asia. In 2010, Bonham’s broke new
ground by hosting the region’s first ever Alternatively, clients can utilize GSM’s
whisky auctions and by the following year in-house trading division where stock
these groundbreaking auctions started to can be sold privately with a brokerage fee
gain huge momentum. of 10%. This strategy has proven to be an
extremely efficient trading platform for
Many of the whiskies traded at the existing clients and one that is exclusive to
Bonham’s auctions have yielded returns in GSM clients.
excess of 50% -300% above their estimated
highs and GSM believe that 2012 is set for
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7. Storage and
insurance
To ensure complete security of your Storage and insurance fees are very
investment, we ensure that all whiskies are minimal and amount to approximately
registered directly into our clients name HKD$300 per case (12) per annum.
and stored and insured at either London Approx… CNY $240 / SGD $47 / TWD$
City Bond in Scotland or at one of our 1,129 / AUD$ 36.
professional facilities here in Asia.
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8. Press
reviews
Whisky Investors Cheered by Rise in Values
Jane Bradley, The Scotsman
Sunday 29 January 2012
“Three-year figures reveal that an investment in the 100 best-performing whiskies in 2008 would have risen
by 163 per cent in 2011, while gold – which has soared due to the recession – rose 146 per cent. Diamonds
rose by just 10 per cent, while shares and crude oil stock values fell.”
http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/scotland/whisky_investors_cheered_by_rise_in_values_1_2084366
Whisky Set for Golden Decade
Dominic Roskrow, The Whisky Tasting Club
December 30, 2011
“I think that whisky certainly has the ability to not only increase in value tenfold, but twentyfold in the
coming decade. Ten years ago if a distillery came out with a bottle for, say, £1000, people thought this was
crazy, but today expressions are selling to from £5,000 to £20,000 pounds and selling.
“I would say that Scotch has certainly proved itself with this. Let’s look at the original ‘Black Bowmore’
when it came out in the early 90s, it cost about £200. Today a bottle sells for £3000- £4000.”
http://thewhiskytastingclub.co.uk/Blogs/domblog/2011/12/30/whisky-set-for-a-golden-decade/
Liquid Gold: Why Whisky Investments Can Hit the Spot
James Longman, USA Today
December 17, 2011
“Fine whisky has been part of Scotland’s heritage for more than 500 years, but it is only recently that
investment opportunities have opened up for its most famous export. With global demand for luxury whisky
on the rise, putting your money into rare bottles of Scottish single malt could make you some pretty neat
returns.”
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-12-18/cnbc-whisky/51911208/1
A Palatable Alternative Investment Market
Andy Simpson, Investing in Whisky & Champagne
December 2011
“If you’d bought the current best performing 250 bottles of whisky in 2008 (at auction in the UK) they would
have cost £42,508. In today’s market they would be worth £94,884, an increase of 123.21 per cent. If you’d
done the same with the top 100 bottles, the increase is 162.96 per cent and the top 10 would have gained by
297.62 per cent, according to the Whisky Highland index.”
http://www.ftadviser.com/2011/12/05/investments/alternative-investments/whisky-a-palatable-alternative-investment-
market-6NGTKARuUR0p4Eg2IbilLK/article.html
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9. Questions
and answers
Q: What defines an investment grade Single Malt Whisky?
A: To be regarded as an investment grade whisky, a single malt requires all or most of the following attributes:
• a strong brand recognition and consistent global demand
• a consistent upward price movement beyond a minimum set return
• produced from a single cask limiting its quantity to a maximum of approximately 500 bottles
Q: Why whisky?
A: Investing in malt whiskies makes sense. There’s a strictly limited supply – there are only a small number
of investment-grade labels, and their production levels are extremely limited. As interest in single malts
continues to grow, there are also a growing number of high-net-worth individuals around the world seeking
to own and/or drink them.
The whiskies that GSM can connect investors to are improving assets. Single malts are cask-aged is aged in
the cask it becomes more desirable and therefore more valuable. At the same time, once the whisky is bottled
it’s consumed making it even rarer, which in turn adds yet more upward pressure on prices.
Q: How do I monitor my investment?
A: Your Portfolio Manager at GSM will guide and advise you in making strategic investment decisions.
Investors are kept up to date with all market activity and advise when to buy, sell or hold your whisky
investment. We provide an ongoing advisory service throughout the term of the investment and charge no
management fees.
Q: How much do I need to invest in a portfolio of single malt whisky?
A: You can invest as little as HKD$50,000 for a small portfolio containing some very exclusive bottles.
However, a recommended minimum investment level of around HKD$200,000-HKD$500,000 will get you
started with a perfectly balanced portfolio.
Q: So why invest in Single Malt Whisky?
A: There are numerous reasons why whiskies make for a great investment opportunity.
• The top 10 whikies have seen a rise in of 381% since 2008
• The top 100 whikies have seen a rise in of 242% since 2008
• There is a thriving – and growing – auction market
• There’s a decreasing availability as assets are consumed
• It’s a tangible, high-yielding, low-risk asset
• High, increasing demand coupled with minimum stress
Q: How do I get involved?
A: Carefully review the facts and figures, make a note of any questions you may have and either call our
trading room on HK +852 3752 8178 or send an email to info@globalspiritmerchants.com
Alternatively, clients are welcome to make an appointment to come into our Whisky Lounge in Hong Kong
for a private presentation and portfolio selection.
The Whisky Lounge can be reached on +852 3752 8178.
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10. Global Spirit Merchants Ltd
t: +852 3752 8174
e: info@globalspiritmerchants.com
2301 Kinwick Centre
32 Hollywood Road
Central
Hong Kong
w: www.globalspiritmerchants.com