Whiskey Valuations 101: Inclusions, Procedures and Pricing

Whiskey valuations are an essential part of the spirits industry, ensuring accurate and fair market pricing for both producers and buyers. At Venture First, we perform hundreds of whiskey valuations each year, so if you’ve stumbled upon this article and are curious as to what to actually happens during a whiskey valuation, you’ve come to the right place!

Our whiskey valuation procedures aim to provide a thorough and precise assessment of the inventory, taking into account various factors that influence the value of the whiskey.

What is typically included in a Whiskey Valuation?

Our Standard Procedures

Our whiskey valuation procedures are designed to be thorough and adaptable, offering flexibility to accommodate client preferences for specific requests. Here’s a detailed look at our standard procedures:

Matching Client Barreled Inventory to Distiller Inventory Report: We begin by ensuring that the client’s barreled inventory matches the distiller’s report. This step involves cross-referencing the number of barrels and their details to verify accuracy.
Physical Count of the Inventory: Our team conducts a physical count of the inventory, meticulously verifying batch IDs, mash bills, and other essential information. This ensures that every barrel is accounted for and its contents are accurately recorded.
Spot Shaking of Barrels to Verify Weight: Spot shaking of barrels is carried out to check the weight and contents of each barrel. This helps in identifying any discrepancies in fill levels or potential issues with the whiskey.
Review of the Condition of Storage Facilities: We assess the storage facilities to ensure they meet the required standards for aging whiskey. This includes evaluating factors like temperature control, humidity levels, and overall cleanliness.
Sampling (Upon Request): Sampling is offered upon client request to provide a detailed analysis of the whiskey’s quality. This step allows us to evaluate the flavor profile, maturity, and overall characteristics of the whiskey.

Flexibility for Client Preferences

We understand that each client may have unique needs and preferences when it comes to whiskey valuations. Therefore, we offer flexibility to cater to specific requests and ensure that our valuation process aligns with the client’s requirements. Whether it’s additional sampling, tailored reporting, or specific verification methods, we strive to provide a customized and thorough valuation service.

How much does a Whiskey Valuation Cost?

Regarding our pricing, it is dependent on the complexity of the barreled inventory (i.e. different locations, ages, distillers, mash bills). For ballpark numbers, our base pricing and typical turnaround for our barrel valuation services are as follows:

Remote Appraisal

Base Price: $8,000

Typical Turnaround time: 3-4 weeks

On-Site Appraisal

Base Price: $10,000

Typical Turnaround time: 4-6 weeks

Test-Count Audit

Base Price: $2,000

Typical Turnaround time: 2-6 weeks

In conclusion, our whiskey valuation procedures are meticulously designed to provide accurate and comprehensive assessments of whiskey inventory. By following our standard procedures and accommodating client preferences, we ensure that our valuations meet the highest standards of precision and reliability.

Are you in need of a whiskey valuation? If so, email valuations@venturefirst.com.