Notable cases

Cask fraud and failures, case by case.

Six cases from the public record. We keep convictions, charges, court closures, investigations and business collapses apart, and link every one to its sources.

Last reviewed

How to read a status

Convicted
A court has convicted someone, after a trial or a guilty plea.
2 cases
Charged
Charges are filed. Nothing is proven until a court decides.
1 case
Shut down
A court closed the company after an official investigation. Not a criminal conviction.
1 case
Investigating
Police or officials are looking into it. No one is charged here.
1 case
Collapsed
The business failed. A collapse alone is not a finding of fraud.
1 case

Every case, sourced.

Open a case for what happened, the tactics reported, the outcome and the sources behind it. Amounts are as the sources state them, in their own currency.

  1. Vintage Whisky Casks / Charles Winn / Windsor Jones

    01ConvictedVintage Whisky Casks / Charles Winn / Windsor Jones2018–2022 · London, UK / United StatesSign: Cold callsSign: Promised returnsSign: Vague storageAmount involved: $13 millionstated as £10.1 million

    What happened

    Casey Alexander, a 27-year-old British national, was convicted of operating a fraudulent investment scheme targeting elderly American investors through three companies: Vintage Whisky Casks, Charles Winn LLC and Windsor Jones LLC.

    Outcome

    Alexander pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the US. In 2024 he was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay about $202,000.

    Details

    Period
    2018–2022
    Where
    London, UK / United States
    Affected
    150+ elderly Americans
    Amount, as stated
    £10.1 million ($13 million)

    Tactics reported

    • Cold-called retirees with promises of substantial returns
    • Claimed investments would double in value within three years
    • Assured investors casks were stored in bonded European warehouses
    • Targeted seniors in their 70s, 80s and 90s specifically
    • Operated until an FBI sting operation shut them down

    Sources

    1. Decanter: British fraudster faces jail after admitting $13m wine and whisky investment scam (opens in new tab)
    2. The Independent: London con artist sentenced over $13m wine and whiskey investment scam (opens in new tab)
    3. US Department of Justice: UK national sentenced for fraudulent wine and whiskey scam (opens in new tab)

  2. Marshall Wineries / ‘Grandtully Distillery’ scheme

    02ConvictedMarshall Wineries / ‘Grandtully Distillery’ scheme1993–1997 · UKSign: Promised returnsAmount involved: £3.8 million

    What happened

    Stephen Jupe and Lewis Daulby, both former stockbrokers, set up Marshall Wineries in 1992. From 1993 it sold casks of ‘Grandtully’ single malt, named after a distillery that closed in 1914, to more than 2,000 buyers, with false promises of 18% returns.

    Outcome

    Stephen Jupe was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court in April 2004 on three counts of fraudulent trading and one of using a prohibited company name, and sentenced to five years in prison. Often described as the first whisky cask investment scam.

    Details

    Period
    1993–1997
    Where
    UK
    Affected
    2,000+ cask buyers
    Amount, as stated
    £3.8 million

    Tactics reported

    • Sold new Speyside spirit as investment ‘Grandtully’ whisky
    • Falsely claimed 18% yearly returns
    • Jupe misappropriated £450,000 for luxury spending
    • Many victims were pensioners who lost life savings

    Sources

    1. Decanter: Decanter clinches guilty verdict for whisky conman (opens in new tab)
    2. Harpers: Stephen Jupe guilty of fraud (opens in new tab)

  3. Nant Whisky barrel investment scheme

    03ChargedNant Whisky barrel investment scheme2007–2016 · Tasmania, AustraliaSign: Promised returnsAmount involved: AUD $586,680

    What happened

    Keith Batt, founder of Tasmania’s Nant Distillery, faces 736 charges, including 622 counts of fraud, 66 of stealing and 48 of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage. It is alleged that barrels sold to investors were not filled, were decanted and not refilled, or held spirit below 63% ABV.

    Outcome

    Batt pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial began in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on 10 June 2026 and is expected to run for up to six months. The company went into receivership in 2017.

    Charges are allegations. They are not a finding of guilt.

    Details

    Period
    2007–2016
    Where
    Tasmania, Australia
    Affected
    56 alleged victims
    Amount, as stated
    AUD $586,680

    Tactics alleged

    • Sold barrel investments for AUD $30,000 per pair of casks
    • Promised guaranteed buy-back at 9.5% annual interest
    • Targeted self-managed superannuation funds
    • Barrels allegedly unfilled, decanted, or below 63% ABV

    Sources

    1. ABC News: Nant distilling founder Keith Batt in court on 736 charges (opens in new tab)
    2. ABC News: Nant whisky founder Keith Batt to enter months-long trial (opens in new tab)
    3. Drinks Digest: Nant whisky trial begins in Hobart Supreme Court (opens in new tab)

  4. Cask Spirits Global Ltd

    04Shut downNewCask Spirits Global Ltd2024–2025 · London, UKSign: Cold callsSign: Pressure to buy nowSign: Promised returnsSign: Vague storageAmount involved: £97,249paid by 17 customers identified

    What happened

    The Insolvency Service found that 17 customers paid £97,249 for whisky casks, but only four had valid paperwork showing they owned them. Some certificates named a fictitious company, some gave false storage details, and some were for casks that never existed.

    Outcome

    The High Court in London wound the company up on 25 August 2026, and the Official Receiver was appointed liquidator. Investigators said losses could be higher: the company provided only 2 of 29 accounting documents requested.

    A court winding-up is not a criminal conviction.

    Details

    Period
    June 2024 – March 2025
    Where
    London, UK
    Affected
    17 customers identified
    Amount, as stated
    £97,249

    Tactics found

    • Social media adverts and cold calls
    • High-pressure sales
    • Promised returns of 120–150% and tax advantages
    • False storage details; one warehouse denied any link

    Sources

    1. Insolvency Service: Scam whisky investment firm shut down after customers left thousands of pounds out of pocket (opens in new tab)
    2. The Spirits Business: Scam whisky firm shut down by UK government (opens in new tab)

  5. Cask Whisky Ltd and linked firms

    05InvestigatingCask Whisky Ltd and linked firms2021–2025 · UK-wideAmount involved: Millions of pounds

    What happened

    City of London Police searched Cask Whisky Ltd’s premises in June 2024 over an allegation of fraud. Investors allege they were sold casks that were overpriced, didn’t exist, or were sold more than once. A 2025 BBC investigation linked the firm to Cask Spirits Global and Whisky Scotland, and to Craig Brooks, a previously convicted fraudster who used other names.

    Outcome

    The police investigation into Cask Whisky Ltd, Cask Spirits Global and Whisky Scotland remained open in August 2026, with no charges announced. Cask Spirits Global was separately wound up by the High Court (see the next case).

    An investigation is not a charge, or a finding of guilt.

    Details

    Period
    2021–2025
    Where
    UK-wide
    Affected
    About 200 alleged victims, as reported
    Amount, as stated
    Millions of pounds

    Tactics alleged

    • Brooks operated under multiple aliases including ‘Craig Hutchins’
    • Allegedly sold non-existent or significantly overpriced whisky casks
    • The linked companies allegedly took the life savings of hundreds of people
    • Police search warrant executed in June 2024

    Sources

    1. Drinks International: Millions lost in cask fraud scams (opens in new tab)
    2. City of London Police: Have you been contacted by Cask Whisky Ltd? (opens in new tab)
    3. The Spirits Business: Trade reaction: BBC shines light on whisky cask scams (opens in new tab)
    4. Vinetur: Britain still leaves whisky cask investors outside financial regulation (opens in new tab)

  6. Whisky Merchants Trading Ltd, Cask 88 & Braeburn Whisky

    06CollapsedWhisky Merchants Trading Ltd, Cask 88 & Braeburn Whisky2023–2025 · Edinburgh, ScotlandSign: Vague storageAmount involved: £80 millionraised from investors, estimated

    What happened

    The Edinburgh company behind the Cask 88 and Braeburn Whisky brands went into administration on 2 May 2025, after the two Singapore sales companies went into liquidation. An estimated £80 million had been raised from investors, leaving thousands of customers unsure whether they owned their casks.

    Outcome

    In May 2026 the administrators sold the business to Edinburgh Cask Management (Resolution), which cleared around £500,000 of unpaid storage fees and is issuing delivery orders to verified cask owners. Whisky Merchants Trading was placed into liquidation.

    A business collapse is not, on its own, a finding of fraud.

    Details

    Period
    2023–2025
    Where
    Edinburgh, Scotland
    Affected
    Thousands of customers worldwide
    Amount, as stated
    An estimated £80 million raised from investors

    Key issues

    • Most casks had not been transferred by delivery order
    • Customers had to prove ownership to the administrators
    • Warehouses reported desperate calls from clients seeking cask locations
    • Delivery orders suspended until the business was sold

    Sources

    1. Forbes: $80 Million Scotch Whisky Cask Investment Firm Goes Bust (opens in new tab)
    2. Griffins (administrators): Rescue of the whisky cask investment business (opens in new tab)
    3. Daily Business: Whisky investors hopeful after merchant rescued (opens in new tab)
    4. The National: Two Scotch whisky cask investment firms worth £60m go bust (opens in new tab)

Ordered by status, then most recent. Names and wording follow the sources; see sources and corrections.

Six signs to walk away.

Any one is reason to stop. Highlight a sign to see where it appears in the cases above.

A Dalmore cask end filled in 2001, stencilled with the distillery name and fill year
A real cask has a number, a fill year and a warehouse. Ask for all three.

  1. Promised returns

    15% a year, or “it will definitely double”. No honest seller can promise that.

    Seen in Vintage Whisky CasksMarshall WineriesNantCask Spirits Global

  2. Pressure to buy now

    Limited-time offers, invented urgency, or no time to do your own research.

    Seen in Cask Spirits Global

  3. Vague storage

    No warehouse address, no cask numbers, no storage contract.

    Seen in Vintage Whisky CasksCask Spirits GlobalWhisky Merchants Trading

  4. Cold calls

    Contact you didn’t ask for, often aimed at older people and pension savings.

    Seen in Vintage Whisky CasksCask Spirits Global

  5. A closed market

    You can only buy or sell through them, so there’s no way to check the price.

    Seen in Not named in these six case summaries

  6. No access to the cask

    No warehouse visit, no sample, no independent check.

    Seen in Not named in these six case summaries

Before you pay: six checks.

Do all six. No single check, ours included, is enough on its own.

  1. The seller

    Look up the company and its directors on Companies House, and check any licensing, before you commit.

  2. The warehouse

    Find the warehouse’s details yourself, not from the seller. Contact them, and ask to see the cask.

  3. The documents

    Ask for the delivery order and check it with the warehouse yourself. Then the regauge certificates and the chain of ownership.

  4. Independent advice

    Talk to a solicitor or financial adviser with no stake in the sale.

  5. Its CaskID record

    Search the register. A record shows whether the cask’s broker and warehouse have confirmed it. No record? Ask the seller why.

    Check the register

  6. A cooling-off week

    Sleep on it. A seller who won’t wait a week is telling you something.

Think you’ve been caught out?

Report it, even if you’re not sure. Then get advice on what you can recover.

Sources, status and corrections.

Last reviewed

  • Public sources only

    Each case is compiled from the news reports and official statements linked beside it. We can’t promise every detail is complete or current.

  • A charge isn’t guilt

    Proceedings are ongoing in some cases, and status can change. A charge or an investigation is not a finding of guilt; a collapse is not a finding of fraud. Check official sources for the latest.

  • Not advice

    This page is for awareness. It isn’t legal, financial or investment advice. If you’re affected, take independent advice.

  • Corrections

    Seen a change, or an error? Email support@cask.id with a source and we’ll review it.