Why buy whisky Casks?

The markets (commodity and stocks) have been through turbulent times since 2008, but whisky is one of the few products showing steady growth year on year. These single malt, single Cask, especially Cask-strength whisky, will be some of the rarest South African whisky ever produced. We are the only whisky producer in South Africa who offer you the incredible opportunity to be part of this exclusive offer. Single Malt (Boutique) Whisky, whilst not a general commodity, has a readily accessible market both on national and international scales. Currently South African whisky-demand exceeds supply, and is also rated as one of the world’s best whiskies. This implies that:

• Own a unique cask(s) of whisky in the world

• Appreciating the nature of whisky

• Your own identifiable Cask (s)

• Stored in a controlled bonded store

• The value increases as global demand increases

• A personalised label or Cask on-tap

 

Does the Cask exist?

Yes. Each Cask and its contents is registered in accordance with South African Customs and Excise and is held in a bonded store. All whisky Casks are identified with a unique Cask number and any movements of whisky are recorded. Your name, the Cask number and the date it was distilled will be displayed on the Cask. You will also be provided with a certificate of authenticity to this effect as underwritten by a Notary.

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Is there an exit strategy after I have purchased the casks ?

Yes: There are four options available to the Buyer:

1. Buyers and investors may choose to have the contents of their personalised whisky Casks bottled on site by the Cape Distillery. It can be used as corporate gifts for your clients.

2. When mature, at 3 years, Cask owners may choose to remove it from the bonded warehouse and resell it through Cape Distillery’s broker service at a potentially appreciated value. We cannot guarantee the market value in 3 years but at present South African whisky is continuously increasing in value.

3. You can also transfer the ownership to another party

4. You may choose to keep the Cask(s) at the Distillery for a longer period to allow it to mature further before bottling, with some additional charges for storage and insurance. This lends you the opportunity to possess a rarer and potentially more valuable Cask(s) of whisky.

• Mature further – Storage will be charged at approximately R 1 080.00 Vat Incl. per Cask, per year for the client’s account.

• Split Plan - You can specify a number of bottles to be labelled in predetermined quantities (either in a single batch of ±300 bottles or in stages of ±100 bottles per bottling) allowing you to taste the final product whilst not being imposed with the entirety of your Cask(s).

*Only for owners of full portion Casks and not smaller Casks

• Alcohol strength - Bottling can either be done at 43% Alc./Vol. or at Cask strength of ±57% Alc/Vol.

• Bottle - The Whisky can be bottled with the standard bottle and label or at an additional cost with your own label and/or bottle and collected (we can also arrange delivery). 

• On-tap - We can also arrange for the Cask to be fitted with a tap should you prefer to take ownership of the Cask while still filled with Whisky to serve the Whisky on-tap and not to bottle. A split option is also available where a specified portion of the Whisky can be put into a smaller Cask with a tap while the balance is being bottled. This will be at an extra cost.

• Sell - We offer to sell and broker the Whisky at a market related price on your behalf at a nominal fee of 2% of the value after the required 3-year period. If you prefer to transfer ownership to a willing buyer of your choice at a 1% transfer fee.

 

What if the company is terminated?

You as the customer retain full title of your whisky Cask as contracted. A full retention of title clause compliant to current South African legislation will be part of the contract. As already stated, your Cask(s) will be authenticated by markings of name and number on the Cask and your certificate. A well recognised Notary will be keeping a copy of your certificate of Ownership.  Blomendahl Vineyards is a well-established network of many companies (some of which are over a century old, successfully operating in the spirits industry around the world and has provided the required guarantees to Cape Distillery.

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Is there a minimum number of Casks I am allowed to buy?

Yes. An individual must buy at least one 50L Cask which gives you the title as an owner and automatic membership of the Cape Distillery Club. As an alternative you can also buy a 100L or 225L barrique Cask.

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Can I buy only a portion/share in a cask?

No, but we have provided 3 sizes of casks to make it more accessible to our buyers.  Alternatively you can use the split option to bottle a percentage of the whisky after the minimum required maturation period.

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Can I visit my Cask while it is maturing?

Yes, with pleasure! As an owner you can contact us to arrange for a visit as accompanied by the Master Distiller to personally tend to you. Our distiller will not only show you your whisky Cask but perhaps may also engage you in a little tasting of our whisky. Unfortunately your whisky will only be ready for tasting by you after the mandatory 3 -year maturation period. Please consider that these appointments are subject to our operational requirements as Cape Distillery is a working distillery.

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Is the Cask insured?

Yes. The Cask will be insured against fire, theft and spoilage whilst stored on the premises of Cape Distillery’s Bond Store, but this excludes the small loss in the natural evaporation of the so-called ”Angel’s Share”. After removal ownership and risk is transferred to the new owner.

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What are the tax consequences of purchasing a Cask(s) of whisky?

This will depend on your place of residence therefore we would advise you obtaining local tax advice. The purchase price will exclude all relevant taxes as raised by the relevant South African authorities,i.e. as of 2015, South Africa has a tax of R 165.00 p/L on pure (100%) alcohol. In Germany this is €13,03 p/L.

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When is duty payable?

Duty is payable when the Cask is taken out of the bonded warehouse. However, the Cask can be exported duty free but is subjected to local importation and duty tax. We can assist with advice on this matter.

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What type of labeling will I have on my single malt whisky individual Cask?

The registered Tradename “Cape Fountain®”will appear on the standard label and will be signed by the Master Distiller. On enquiry you may also wish to have your own name or personal details on the label. The Cask n. and descriptions will also appear on the label. Legislation prescribes that the producer’s name and address and/or A-no appears on the label which will be Cape Distillery. Our standard label is already approved by the Department of Agriculture. If you would prefer you own personal label, then this is possible within the regulations of your local legislation and South African rules, at an additional cost.

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Can I choose my own style of whisky?

Yes. You can choose amongst a Full-Peated, Medium-Peated and Non-Peated style whisky. Only orders from 10 casks and more will enable you to request a Medium Peated whisky. All single cask orders will be either Peated or Non -Peated whisky, that is also referred to as Classic Malt.

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What does Alter Schwede mean?

Alter Schwede derived its name from the very popular informal German expression "Alter Schwede!" meaning “Old Swede”, "old friend" or "old chap".It originated in Osnabrück.

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On October 24th 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia was signed, marking the end of the Thirty Years' War. The peace conference to end the war opened in Münster and Osnabrück in December 1644. It involved no fewer than 194 states, from the biggest to the smallest, represented by 179 plenipotentiaries. There were thousands of ancillary diplomats and support staff, who had to be given housing, fed and watered, and they did themselves well for close to four years, despite famine in the country around. Presiding over the conference were the Papal Nuncio, Fabio Chigi (the future Pope Alexander VII), and the Venetian ambassador. http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/treaty-westphalia

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An old ancestral house in the midst of the Osnabrueck old town served us as a hostel and the ally where this house was situated is today still called “the Swedenstreet”. This is where the recipe for Alter Schwede, a recipe for this top-class herb liquor, was found, after the successful completion of the peace treaty. The people of Osnabrueck have since honoured this recipe and today Cape Distillery in South Africa and Wein Kohlhoff in Germany still produces Alter Schwede.

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What is Alter Schwede?

It is an elegant traditional German Herb Liqueur with more than 200 herbs and spices. The recipe dates back to 1648 and is distilled by Wein Kohlhoff in Germany. Alter Schwede is now also produced in South Africa by Cape Distillery.

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How do you drink AlterSchwede?

Alter Schwede is a complex herb liqueur with a full body and smooth taste making it extremely pleasant for any moment of the day. It is also a digestive liqueur and is known for its versatility and very distinctive flavour. Therefore, you can enjoy it neat or create the most extraordinary cocktails with it.

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Is delivery cost included?

No. Kaap Kelder arranges delivery via a reputable and expedient common carrier. All deliveries will only be made to a street address.The cost of delivery can be determined once the physical address has been confirmed by the purchaser and will be processed on-line.

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Is there an age-limit?

Yes. If you are under the age of 18 (eighteen) years of age you are not permitted to purchase liquor from this site.

Under South African Liquor Law, it is an offence to sell liquor to a person under the age of 18 (eighteen) years. It is also an offence for a person under the age of 18 (eighteen) years to purchase liquor.

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