Harrogate entrepreneur Jonathan Yates has launched Caskd, a digital platform that gives whisky enthusiasts a way to buy, sell and manage their collections.
As whisky collecting continues to grow, many enthusiasts are questioning the high costs associated with traditional auction houses. Seller commissions, buyer’s premiums, shipping costs and lengthy settlement times can make buying and selling both expensive and frustrating.
Caskd offers an alternative by removing unnecessary middlemen and enabling enthusiasts to trade directly with one another through a trusted community.
Members pay a simple 3% platform fee, helping both buyers and sellers retain more value while enjoying a more transparent trading experience.
Alongside its peer-to-peer marketplace, Caskd provides a digital cellar where members can catalogue bottles, record tasting notes, preserve provenance and showcase their collections in one secure place.
“Whisky enthusiasts shouldn’t have to pay excessive fees simply to trade with one another,” said Yates.
“We built Caskd to remove unnecessary middlemen and create a trusted community where people can buy, sell and manage their collections with confidence.
“Every bottle has a story, and Caskd is the place to keep those stories alive.”
Yates’s background is as a commercial strategist specialising in quantum computing, advanced hardware and AI-enabled transformation.
A published author, he is the chief revenue officer at Silent Waves, a DeepTech company based in France.