Enola Meade, a 27-year-old swimming teacher from Warrington, has invested £96,000 into rare whisky casks as a long-term alternative investment—despite not liking the taste of whisky. While many of her peers saved for a house deposit, Meade chose a different path to secure her financial future.
Early Saving Habits
Meade began saving at a young age, putting away birthday and pocket money whenever possible, with her parents contributing £25 a month into a savings bond. Once she started working as a school swimming teacher, she committed to saving an additional £1,000 from her wages every month. By age 21, she had saved £20,000.
Frustrated with traditional banking options, she said: "I started looking into savings accounts with high interest rates and ISAs, but banks are always lowering the amount of interest they pay. I wanted my money to work as hard as I do." She considered silver and gold but found their value too volatile. "I wanted something long-term that I could leave for 10 to 20 years, then reap the benefits," she explained.
Enter the Whisky Market
A work colleague of her father suggested whisky. "The more I looked into it, the more I thought it made sense. It's one of the only things you can just leave alone and its value will go up. It's not going to drop," she said. Initially, she purchased one £12,000 cask and two £4,000 casks with her £20,000. She has since expanded her portfolio to 18 casks, acquired through Hackstons, a whisky cask investment firm.
Not a Whisky Fan
Despite her significant investment, Meade admits she is not a whisky fan. "I once tasted a small dram in winter," she said. "For me, it's not about the taste. It's just about watching the value go up." Her father, John, and his wife, Christina, have also bought a cask.
Future Projections and Career Freedom
Meade hopes the value will increase by 8 to 12 per cent annually. At 8 per cent growth, her 18 casks would be worth around £207,000 in 10 years—an increase of £111,000—and over £447,000 in 20 years. She still lives with her parents rent-free and has no intention of leaving her job as a swimming teacher. "I absolutely love my job and wouldn't change it for the world," she said. "I don't need a big money job because of my whisky investment. I know I will have a comfortable future."
Advice for Others
For those considering similar investments, Meade advises: "These are long-term investments and something I'll be doing all my life. I would encourage more people to look at whisky as an investment. You don't have to like the taste."
