Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Clients receive full legal ownership of the cask. This is recorded with us as well as directly with the Warehouse that holds the cask in their warehouse management system. The records are automatically assigned as soon as we receive the payment. This creates clear documented proof of ownership of the "cask deed". You will also get an invitation to create an account directly in the Cask management software that the Warehouse uses.

In government-authorised bonded warehouses with specialist security and environmental controls, with 5 years of storage included. For Irish Whiskey, this is the HMRC-approved excise warehouse The Foundry Vault. After this time you can pay us for additional storage. Insurance and storage costs after the 5 year period is up are currently priced at £65 per year as of 01/04/26 subject to change.

Yes. Comprehensive insurance covers standard risks such as fire, theft and accidental damage, subject to policy terms, with 5 years of cover included. After this time you can pay us for additional insurance. Full wording of the insurance policy is available on request. Casks stored in bonded warehouses are subject to strict security and environmental controls, which significantly reduces the likelihood of damage or loss. Insurance and storage costs after the 5 year period is up are currently priced at £65 per year as of 01/04/26 subject to change.

Each cask has a unique digital identity (digital deed) with real-time status and ownership verification, directly in the warehouse management system with your own login provided.

Holding periods vary by category and objective. The minimum holding period for a New Make Spirit cask is 3 years and 1 day as the stock cannot be considered Whiskey before this time passes. Many clients hold their casks for 5 to 10 years. We advise on timing based on market conditions and stock profile. We will reach out to you if we believe it would be a good time to realise your profit.

Bottle under our brand. Sell the cask to us. Sell the cask yourself. Bottle for personal consumption. For more information see How to Exit.

Yes. We provide advisory for private and commercial bottlings, including regulatory, packaging and route-to-market considerations. You can choose your own label or bottle under our brand. We can accommodate most private and commercial requirements. Ask us for more information.

Transparent Pricing for purchasing casks: No additional fees apply. Stated prices are final. Exit-related services such as bottling or taxes such as duty and VAT may incur additional charges, which will be quoted to you in advance. Insurance and storage costs after the 5 year period is up are currently priced at £65 per year as of 01/04/26 subject to change.

No. Whiskey values can fluctuate. Past performance is not a guide to future results. This investment, just as any other investment, involves an amount of risk. Whiskey Cask ownership is not a regulated investment in the UK. You will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or FSCS protection in the event of a dispute.

We are a Northern Ireland based whiskey company first and foremost. We follow exact government regulations and provide next level technical solutions to the process of whiskey investment. The transaction upon receipt of the funds will automatically trigger clear documented proof of move of the whiskey cask into your ownership. This is assigned in the Warehouse management system directly with the warehouse where your cask is located. In the unlikely case of An Gael going out of business your whiskey cask asset is fully secure as you are its owner with automated records in the Warehouse to prove it.

Before you can purchase a cask from us you must complete our automated KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. This is a legal requirement under UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and is standard practice across legitimate investment platforms.

KYC protects you in several important ways. First, it confirms your identity so that the cask ownership records held at the Warehouse are legally tied to you as a verified individual. This means your asset is protected even in the unlikely event of An Gael ceasing to trade - the Warehouse holds independent proof that the cask belongs to you, not to us.

Second, KYC ensures that we only transact with legitimate buyers, which protects the integrity of the market and the value of every cask owner's investment. It demonstrates that An Gael operates as a diligent, professional, and fully law-abiding company that takes its regulatory obligations seriously.

The process is quick, secure and submission is automated. You will be asked to upload a valid form of photo identification and proof of address. One of our staff will check your documents personally and approve your account once the check has been completed.

The minimum investment is one full cask at the current listed price. Each cask is a single, whole asset owned entirely by you. Browse our current availability and pricing at Browse Casks.

We accept credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) as well as bank transfer. Payment is processed securely and cask ownership is assigned automatically upon confirmation of receipt of cleared funds.

While your cask remains in bond (i.e. stored in the bonded warehouse) no VAT or duty is payable. These charges only become due at the point of bottling, when the spirit leaves the bonded warehouse.

At that stage, UK VAT (currently 20%) is applied to the bottling and related services. Excise duty is also payable and is calculated based on the alcohol volume in each bottle, in accordance with HMRC rates at the time of bottling. We will advise you on the exact costs before any bottling takes place so there are no surprises.

This means that during your entire holding period your investment sits in bond with no tax liabilities - one of the key advantages of cask ownership.

In the United Kingdom, whiskey held in cask is classified by HMRC as a "wasting asset" - that is, an asset with a predictable useful life of 50 years or less. Under current UK tax law, wasting assets are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This means that any profit you make when you sell or exit your cask is not subject to CGT.

This is one of the most attractive features of cask whiskey as an alternative investment. Unlike shares, property, or other appreciating assets, gains on the disposal of a wasting asset are not reportable to HMRC for CGT purposes under current legislation.

If you are resident outside the United Kingdom, the tax treatment of your cask investment will depend on your personal circumstances and the tax laws of the country where you are a tax resident. We strongly recommend that you consult a qualified tax adviser in your jurisdiction before making any investment decisions. An Gael does not provide tax advice.