If you're interested in investing, you've probably heard of investing in various types of alcoholic beverages. This can range from wine and whisky to beer and cognac. But is this a wise investment for you? And what is the average return on such investments? In this blog, I will answer these questions and see if it's worth investing in!
Firstly, investing in alcohol is not a guaranteed success and there are always risks associated with any form of investment. Drink valuations are often dependent on subjective factors such as taste and popularity. However, there are some trends that can help increase the chances of success.
One of the most important factors to consider when investing in drinks is the rarity of the drink. The rarer a drink is, the more collectors are willing to pay for it. For example, some bottles of whiskey are produced in very limited quantities, also known as limited editions, which can make them very valuable to collectors. In addition, the reputation of the producer and the quality of the drink also plays an important role in its value.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is that the value of drinks can fluctuate depending on supply and demand. This can be influenced by factors such as consumer taste trends and changes in the economy. For example, during economic crises, we often see a decrease in demand for luxury products, including expensive bottles of alcohol.
Regarding returns on these alcoholic drinks, they can vary depending on the specific drink and circumstances. Generally, the return on investment in drinks is higher than, for example, stocks or bonds. Let's give some figures for the different drinks.
Whisky
As mentioned earlier, the value of a drink can vary greatly depending on its rarity and popularity. This can lead to high returns on investment. For example, some whiskies have shown enormous increases in value in recent years. According to the Whisky Investment Fund, the value of the finest Scottish whiskies has increased on average by 580% over the past 10 years!
Wine
The wine market also offers interesting opportunities for investors. A 2019 study by the London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) found that prices for the top 100 Bordeaux wines rose an average of 13.6% per year between 2009 and 2018. The Liv-ex 1000 Index, which tracks the price performance of the thousand most traded wines in the world, has risen on average by 10.2% per year since its inception in 2004.
Cognac
In addition to whiskey and wine, there are other drinks that may be of interest to investors. Cognac, for example, is a drink that has become increasingly popular in recent years and whose prices are also rising significantly. A 2022 report from Cognac Expert shows that the prices of vintage cognacs rose an average of 6.3% per year between 2010 and 2020.
Although these figures are promising, it is important to keep in mind that there are always risks associated with investing in bottles of alcohol. As previously mentioned, the value of alcohol can fluctuate depending on demand and supply, taste trends, and economic conditions. Additionally, there is always the risk of counterfeiting, which can lead to the loss of the entire investment.
However, there are also other certain risks associated with investing in alcohol. Firstly, there is the risk of counterfeiting. There are many fake bottles in circulation, which is why it is important to know what to look for if you want to invest in a particular drink. Additionally, there is always a risk that the value of a drink may decrease instead of increase, which could lead to you suffering a loss on your investment.
Ultimately, it is worth noting that investing in alcohol is not for everyone. It can be an expensive investment and you usually need a certain amount of knowledge and expertise to know what you are investing in. Therefore, it may not be the best choice for novice investors. However, for those willing to take the risks and take the time to understand the market, investing in alcohol can be an interesting and potentially profitable investment. Cheers!