The Uncomplicated Version
One year after the collapse of several major brokerages, many owners are struggling to locate their Scotch whisky casks. The key to regaining control is your Delivery Order, not just a certificate of ownership. This guide walks you through how to gather your paperwork, contact bonded warehouses directly, and move your assets into a private account for full security and visibility.
It has now been a full year since the collapse of cask brokerages such as Cask88 and Braeburn. Rather than revisiting what went wrong (that article is here), this guide focuses on a more immediate issue that many whisky cask owners are still dealing with today:
"I can't locate my cask."
If you are in this position, you are not alone. The Scotch whisky cask market has grown quickly in recent years, and with that growth has come a range of ownership and documentation challenges. This article is designed to help you understand what steps you can take to locate your cask, regain visibility, and move towards secure ownership.
We cannot guarantee outcomes in every case, but we can help you understand the process and what to expect.
For the purpose of this guide, we will assume that you purchased a cask through a broker that is now unresponsive or no longer operating.
First Step: Gather Your Documents
Start by collecting all paperwork related to your whisky cask purchase. This may include:
Invoices and receipts
Certificates of ownership
Warehouse details
Most importantly, a Delivery Order
The Delivery Order is the key document (for more info, we refer to this article). It is what allows you to take control of your cask at the warehouse level. Other documents can help support your case, but the Delivery Order is what typically enables action.
Scenario 1
You Have a Valid Delivery Order
If your Delivery Order clearly identifies a third-party bonded warehouse and has been properly signed by the seller, you are in a strong position.
What to do next:
Contact the warehouse directly and provide your Delivery Order
Ensure the enquiry comes from the named cask owner, as warehouses follow strict privacy policies
Request confirmation that the cask is held at the facility
Ask about opening a private warehouse account
Once your account is set up, the Delivery Order can be exercised. This gives you direct control and visibility over your cask. From there, you can access standard services such as regauging, sampling, and re-racking.
Keep in mind that warehouse policies, fee structures, and account requirements vary.
Scenario 2
You have a Delivery Order, but the details are incomplete
Sometimes, a Delivery Order may exist but contain errors. This could include:
Missing signatures
Incorrect cask specifications
Incorrect warehouse details
The cask is not where it is expected
What to do next:
- Contact the original broker and request corrections or clarification
- Allow a reasonable timeframe for a response
- If no response is received, contact the warehouse directly
Provide available details to the warehouse. Some warehouses may confirm whether the cask exists, has been moved, or is recorded under a different account.
If the cask has been transferred elsewhere, you may need to contact the new warehouse.
This stage often requires persistence, but in many cases, casks can still be located and documentation corrected.
Scenario 3
You only have a certificate
If you have only received a certificate with no Delivery Order or verifiable warehouse link, the situation becomes more complex.
That said, there are still steps worth taking.
What to do next:
Request a Delivery Order from the broker, if they are still reachable
Ask for confirmation of the warehouse where the cask is stored
Contact the warehouse directly with all available details
Without a Delivery Order, it is unlikely that a warehouse will transfer ownership into your name. However, you may still be able to confirm whether the cask exists and where it is held. This information can be useful when seeking clarification or resolution from the original seller.
A Final Word
The global whisky cask investment market offers unique opportunities, but it also requires transparency, proper documentation, and trusted partnerships. When these elements are missing, cask owners can find themselves in uncertain situations.
While not every case can be resolved easily, many can be improved with the right approach and guidance.
At Spirited, we believe education is a core part of responsible cask ownership. Our goal is to support cask owners with clear information, practical steps, and access to trusted networks across Scotland’s bonded warehouses.
If you are trying to locate a whisky cask or simply want to better understand your position as a cask owner, feel free to reach out.
This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.