Cask Spirits Global Limited has been wound up by the High Court after an investigation found it had taken money from people persuaded to invest in whisky casks they often did not own. The case highlights the risks of unregulated whisky-cask investments, where legitimate ageing-related value growth can be exploited through misleading sales practices and false documentation.

The Insolvency Service identified at least £97,249 taken from 17 customers, although it believes the total may be higher; only four customers received valid ownership documents. Investigators said many casks were nonexistent, overpriced or sold more than once, while the business used high-pressure calls, social-media adverts and undisclosed bank accounts. Convicted fraudster Craig Brooks, barred from directorships after a previous £6.2 million fraud, was alleged to have run the company through aliases and relatives; police inquiries continue, but no charges have yet been brought.