VCL VINTNERS FIRST UK WHISKY BROKER TO ADOPT PIONEERING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY ACROSS OPERATIONS
– VCL Implements Proof 8 SaaS Platform for Full Traceability and Transparency of Inventory –
London, [February 2025] – VCL Vintners (VCL) has become the first whisky broker in the UK to turn to blockchain technology to transform its operations and guarantee full traceability and transparency of its inventory. Using Proof 8’s proprietary SaaS platform, VCL is now able to track and verify every stage of a product’s life cycle with real-time data and secure, immutable records known as ‘Digital Deeds’, making it easier to prove provenance, maintain compliance and ensure transparency of ownership.
Benjamin Lancaster, founder and partner of VCL, said: “Proof 8 has harnessed blockchain technology to deliver hands-down the best end-to-end cask management solution on the market. Already employed by future-thinking distilleries and warehouses to improve operational processes and productivity, we are proud to be the first broker to fully adopt the Proof 8 platform to manage our clients’ assets.”
Casks that are stored on the Proof 8 platform are assigned a unique ‘Digital Deed’ – a trusted record of ownership which is a digital representation of the physical asset. This approach not only removes all uncertainty around authenticity and ownership, it also enables seamless transfer of ownership, ensuring a secure, transparent and efficient process.
Benjamin added: “Full traceability and transparency is crucial, especially in an industry like whisky where provenance can make or break the value of an asset. Through this innovation, we are modernising the way in which whisky is traded and invested. The digital transformation also addresses some long-standing challenges in the market, including counterfeiting and fraud. Investors now have a reliable way to track their assets, guaranteeing peace of mind.
“Because ‘Digital Deeds’ are securely recorded on the blockchain and are unique to each asset, like a fingerprint, they cannot be copied or modified and so provide a secure, verifiable record of authenticity that buyers and collectors can trust when it comes to their investments.”
VCL made headlines in 2021 when it collaborated with Proof 8 on another of their innovative platforms – Metacask – to auction a rare 1991 Macallan cask, attaching a blockchain-based token (NFT), an early iteration of the Proof 8 ‘Digital Deed’. The cask sold for a record-breaking $2.3 million, setting a new precedent in the world of high-value collectibles.
Benjamin and business partner Stuart Thom became early investors in Metacask and continue to believe in the power of technology to unlock new forms of ownership and bring trust and transparency to the industry.
“Blockchain technology has already had a transformative impact on industries like finance, banking and healthcare – that have complex supply chains, data-sharing requirements and high regulatory and compliance requirements and we were convinced that it could be a game-changer in asset-backed investments like whisky,” Benjamin said. “Before the Macallan sale it was a relatively untapped market and Proof 8 has developed a secure, scalable solution that provides a seamless way to trade, track and authenticate ownership in a way traditional methods simply couldn’t match.”
Rob Hollands, CEO at Proof 8, said: “Moving away from paper-based records, certificates of ownership, and unreliable tools such as Excel to manage the production process, provides a real opportunity for better data across the whole industry. This not only unlocks the potential for greater efficiencies in the production and maturation process but, crucially for collectors, whisky enthusiasts and brokers, brings assurance of ownership and provenance which previously didn’t exist. With our platform, there can no longer be any doubt over the origins, location and ownership of an asset. Every crucial piece of information is collected, stored and tracked on our platform throughout its entire lifetime. And this information is accessible at any time. This level of transparency and traceability, from grain to glass, is now the new standard for the industry today. As the first whisky broker to implement our platform, VCL shares our values of transforming spirits with trust, transparency and innovation at the core.”
Established in 2010, VCL Vintners is a trusted name in whisky brokering and investment, known for its extensive network and expertise in sourcing and trading rare casks. With this latest digital transformation, VCL is positioning itself at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.
About VCL Vintners
Founded in 2010, VCL Vintners is the pioneer of the spirits investment industry as it’s known today. VCL has a proven history of providing investment-grade spirits for its network of retail and institutional investors, offering investment opportunities that range from new-make spirits to some of the oldest and rarest casks available anywhere in the world. Since inception, VCL has amassed assets under management which are currently valued at over £130m.
About Proof 8
Proof 8 is transforming the spirits industry by digitalising production, maturation and ownership. Their SaaS platform streamlines distillery operations, warehouse management and connects brand products to consumers. Proof 8’s digitalisation creates assets and products that are ‘born digital’ – ensuring traceability, authentication, and valuable consumer experiences. By using innovative solutions, new tech and user-centred design, Proof 8 optimises the entire spirits journey, from grain to bottle, redefining the way businesses and consumers connect in the ever-evolving spirits landscape.