Fake Whisky Story on BBC

[MattS]

Third of rare Scotch whiskies tested found to be fake.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-46566703

[Paulm]

That's why I Prefer drinking the stuff rather than staring at it.

[davidbe]

"The samples had been sent for analysis by whisky broker Rare Whisky 101 (RW101), which said it was responding to "growing concern surrounding the proliferation of fake whisky" in the secondary market."

[Karrtin]

[William]

Great to see the BBC picking this story up and highlighting it.

For anyone interested I had posted a little more detailed piece on the Rare Whisky 101's findings on the fake whisky problem here:

http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/rw101exposefakewhisky.htm
_________________
There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[webdunk]

Terribly misleading/alarmist/sensationalist headline unfortunately.

Really the headline is "Only 1/3 of a small numbers of sample whiskies thought to be fake by experts turn our to be fake when tested by specilaist lab" Not v catchy I know...
_________________
Inverness Whisky
@in5tadram

[Timp]

Its sad but probably typical of any market expanding.

When I hear on local Devon radio this week an antiques expert from a well known auction house, telling people to invest in whisky as the last two most expensive bottles of whisky in the world were sold here, clearly more and more people will get involved.

Dont really care about the facts behind that but when it becomes a cash and grab situation on advice from auction houses, someone is going to get burned.

It does also seem a little ironic that the very last thing you would want to do with an investment whisky is actually open the thing. It might be a fake? You might not get your money back? Best keep em closed eh!

Rare 101 must have copped a load of dodgy ones and the costs, or are they testiing others bottles? Will read the article again.

For me it only is a worry for auction stuff but because I am a low value buyer I am hoping the fakers leave them alone. I don't hold out much hope though in the long run.

At least it is being exposed so fair play to 101 for that..

[eelbrook]

I very, very rarely buy at auction. When I do, it is usually bottles that wouldn't be worthwhile faking.

Rather, I buy from a small number of trusted retailers and indie bottlers.

Even then, if I'm not buying a new release, I ask the retailer in detail about provenance.

[Forbes]

Possibly there may have been some selective choices of what got put forward for testing but none the less the percentage of fakes found is staggering. Questions have to be asked of the whisky auctions which are selling fakes them but take no responsibility if a buyer gets stung.

[Timp]

It does occur to me that I might be helping fuel the issue by buying at auction, but I have enjoyed buying things I can't get at retail or if I can its ridiculous prices.

Might have to consider changing my buying habits, small thought they are..

[Quaich1]

Excellent Forum thread!
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Olorin]

Interesting story. Guess are due to see more of this with the increase in whisky being used as an investment. Great to see a good discussion around the topic