That's what they go to school for. This is for when they leave school and I can contribute to a downpayment on a broom cupboard.

The problem is trying to source the stuff. It seems most of the distilleries/vinyards sell en mass to brokers/regulars and you can't get a look in so have to buy on the secondary market. I'd prefer to invest in whisky/brandy for storage reasons but haven't a clue on what to buy. I haven't got room for cases of wine and setting temperatures though so would be buying singles.

Anyone invest in anything other than the aforementioned? I know someone who buys lego.

yeah tried the single malt market but you have to be nailed to the floor of the distillery and listen to know body............ i currently have one bottle that is climbing, not hugely but its still nice to be able to look at every so often, the other 16 bottles are getting picked off slowly
Ill probably crack the other one when the right moment comes............ after all its only a drink.


Invest in those closet to you and you'll get the biggest rewards you could ever imagine.

I invest in start ups through Seedrs...had some do extremely well and there are fantastic tax reliefs.

Check it out: Seedrs

I have been a massive single malt whisky fan for many many years. The journey alone that this passion took me on was well worth the efforts in itself but the investing, due diligence and work involved is no simple task.

Over the years I started collecting and in the process ended up meeting and becoming great friends with most of my favorite distilleries and some amazing owners and people that worked with and for them. I have now visited Scotland countless times and many with a personal distillery invite, an experience I never tire of, and have also attended many events they hold as well including tastings, new release events and even ski trips ( I'm the only one that snowboards and they still make fun of me). I even had some of my favorite distilleries sponsor my shows with their product which was amazing to be able to offer high end single malt for free at an event. So as I mentioned during this time I was slowly collecting very rare bottles one of my favorite brands of whisky, Macallan. I was using all of my connections but to be honest most of the best deals were private party sales from other collectors or shops just getting the word out for what I was looking for. I always had a line on the new releases but getting the vintage and "fine & rare" bottles are where I wanted my investment dollars. After many years I amassed quite a collection but I then suddenly had a "moment of clarity". I saw that my true love and passion for these great whiskies was drinking and enjoying the history and the people who created them. I started to see the "collecting" part more as a distraction and it no longer became enjoyable to own a bottle I knew I'd never drink. So one year I gathered up most of my rarest bottles and had them auctioned with Bonhams in China. Bonhams put a few of my bottles on the front cover of that auction catalog and in the end the return was phenomenal. But even more rewarding was being freed of the "collecting" and now just seeking what I want to drink and enjoying it. 

IMO there are still fantastic opportunities in whisky and wine investing. What I have learned is expand your network as much as possible, know the product and pricing just as well as the people producing it and buy the rarest vintage bottles you can afford to buy. The last tip is when you decide to sell, sell them in China. One massive difference I came to realize is that while most of the world mainly collects the rarest of bottles, the Chinese actually drink them. It is not as popular to "collect" rare whisky and wine among their wealthy as much as they actually open and drink these bottles regularly to share with close business relationships and personal friends. Because of this fact they are not concerned about the price since it is not an investment and they just want it. All and all it is no easy task but then again either is art collecting so many of you have an idea what you are in for. The main difference for me is I now truly enjoy having my investments framed on the wall as opposed to bottles locked in storage.

Not an alcohol investor as it would never last long in my house.

My side collecting / investing is in 19th century (American) historical documents and militaria. There is a tremendously large market and like art, it looks great on display.

There are some really good contemporary potters out there, you get something substantial that you can enjoy and display for relatively little money, each is an individual piece and with the added bonus that they have the potential to rise in value.
Definitely worth doing some digging and seeing who's about.

I'm a real fan of Studio Pottery and their are some simply superb pieces about at the moment.

... I like mine with Pepsi not Coke and just one cube of ice ...

Edit: I also like Harry Pottery

Cheers All. Black Apple i'll be doing it on a lesser scale :-) Just bought my first bottle to put away. Whistle pig 10 yo rye. Something I may even enjoy drinking but I have to have a coke with mine :-( JD and coke is my drink of choice. closely followed by Ouzo and lemonade :-)

Cornish, I had a similar thing happen to me. I was happy drinking my cheap napoleon brandy, when I went to a do and was bought a glass of XO. Wish it never happened, I could still be living in ignorance and have some more money in my pocket.

I was watching one of these daytime antiques programs where the homeowner wants to raise a few thousand for a holiday and the expert goes round the house looking for things to sell at auction. He finds a bag of sovereigns and goes on to say full sovereign will go for about £100 and half sovereign £50. I thought blimey thats good. Can buy one every month and build up a small hoard. I then go on the web to find a full sovereign double the price and some. Call themselves experts!

Oddly enough stamps have been pretty good as investments. However, like anything you'd have to do your research first. Stanley Gibbons are actually quite good for advice - you just go in and talk to their people. Most of whom will just give advice even if you don't buy anything.

Gold and Silver are more like putting something into long-term savings than a real investment. Unless there is another gobal financial collapse (which of course there may be) their value shouldn't jump as much as it did a few years back. Property is fairly stable (obviously), however if you can't afford to buy yourself see if you can get together with some other people or find a fund that does it.

Watches can be a good investment and look nice, however that will take a lot of research. Almost certainly buy second hand if you can, but be prepared to wait some time before they become vintage. I've heard of friends of friends doing very well from that.

Indeed, but i think that boat has sailed. I have my first whisky stashed away now....

Well obviously like anything, the better condition, the higher the value. 

It's more the older books where you have more spinal / foxing issues. These days most antique books can be restored to a very high spec, it just depends on whether or not the cost to do so justifies the increase in value.

In terms of more modern books, although condition overall is important, mint condition dust jackets and binding issues in my opinion are among the most critical.

All books should be read though, otherwise what's the point Same with Star wars figures or people who leave Invader kits inside the wrapper, madness i tell you!