We hire tons of experts to help us in our daily lives: car mechanics, plumbers, dog trainers, therapists. And there are times when turning to an expert in whiskey might make sense too—like when trying to track down a rare bottle, say, or coordinating a dream distillery trip. For these moments when you don’t know where to start, or are running into dead ends, a whiskey concierge can help. 

“Whiskey concierge” isn’t a formal title, or even an official job. Such individuals grow into the role after years of cultivating deep knowledge and the kind of extensive network that’s built through trust and reputation. But they do exist, and a good advisor can open doors and help you with whiskey-related projects that are nearly impossible to manage on your own.

A great whiskey concierge has relationships with people at every level of the industry, from retail buyers all the way up to master distillers. Kurt Maitland, based in New York City, and Blair Bowman, based in Edinburgh, are two such experts. Both began as whiskey enthusiasts who started tasting clubs, and then found themselves working closely with brand ambassadors, importers, distillers, and others in the industry. Along the way, they connected with collectors and private individuals who have become clients and references—and occasional sources of rare whiskey themselves.

Maitland, Bowman, and other whiskey concierges can help with such tasks as tracking down a bourbon bottled on your wedding date, arranging meals and accommodation on a trip to Speyside, or setting up a meeting with a master distiller. But they can also do quite a bit more. Bowman recalls hiring an armored vehicle to transport a particularly high-value whiskey shipment. “No shipper would touch it because of the value," he says, "and the insurers didn’t want it moving unless it was moving in a secure armored truck."

Whiskey concierges connect the dots. They know which distillery or retailer to call when a client wants something specific—and have certain clients on speed dial when something truly special becomes available. They anticipate clients' needs long before they get a request. Maitland, for example, tracks European and U.K. auctions for rare bottles that he knows will be wanted for a future tasting, or by a particular collector. They can also handle logistics, including shipping, storage, and clearing legal hurdles—like dealing with tax agencies, importers, and distribution issues. And part of the job is emotional support. Just like a hairdresser, nanny, or personal assistant, a great whiskey concierge forms close relationships with clients and comes to know (and fulfill) their deepest-held desires.

What Does a Whiskey Concierge Provide?

Well, if a client asks for it, and it’s remotely possible, it’ll happen. But commonly offered services include:

• Bidding on clients’ behalf at auction and acting as a middleman for remote purchases. Maitland cites the example of a U.K.-based friend and whiskey collector who purchased a rare bottle from someone located in the United States. The seller wanted cash, so Maitland paid in person for his client.
• Coordinating custom tastings. This is one of Maitland’s primary services. Such tastings may be conducted for a small, private birthday party, or a large company’s holiday gala, where he pours bottles that have been specifically requested or selects them based on the client’s taste and budget.

• Sourcing high-end single casks. “I really enjoy what I call ‘the hunt,’ where I get a very specific request” for distillation year, age, cask type, and other characteristics, says Bowman, citing a client who recently asked for a pre-1980s Macallan sherry butt from their birth year—an extreme rarity. “I was able to find three very quickly so I could then present them with three options,” Bowman says. “I have the network and the knowledge of where people are holding these things.”
• Sourcing rare bottles and advising on alternatives. Maitland often fields requests for specific whiskies, which he tracks down through retail channels, at auction, or via private trades, but at times, he encourages clients to consider something different. “I had one guy who wanted a 30-year-old [scotch] release for his son but at a particular budget,” he says. “We settled on a grain whiskey, because a single grain is a lot more accessible [than a single malt] at the price point he had”—and still ensured he was getting something very special for his son. 
• Sourcing  and selling whiskey collections. Bowman often helps retired industry professionals offload a career’s worth of bottles. “It's really nice to be able to connect these people," he says, people who want "to sell their private collection to a safe pair of hands—to the right person, who will enjoy it and really understand why it's special and important. At the same time, for the client, they know that the provenance is impeccable.” 
• Finding equipment, space, or an entire distillery to buy. “I’ll get phone calls from [distillery owners] thinking now is the time they want to sell, and do I know people or an individual that is interested. And I do,” Bowman says. “I’ve had a few approaches where I’ve helped join the dots.” Bowman has also helped procure equipment for startup distilleries as far afield as Japan.

So How Much Does A Whiskey Concierge Cost?

Given that a concierge’s services are inherently customized, there’s usually not a generic fee schedule. Still:

• When sourcing whole casks, Bowman doesn't charge the client; instead he earns a pre-agreed commission from the cask supplier. “Typically the casks that I'm dealing in are about half a million [pounds] and upwards,” he says, noting that the total final cost, depending on a client's wishes for packaging, delivery, and other details, can go well into the millions. 
• For clients seeking specific bottles or collections, Bowman charges a percentage of the total purchase price as a finder's fee. When assisting with distillery startup projects, he is on retainer.
• Maitland structures his fees depending on the type of event or request; more complicated endeavors tack on additional charges. When acquiring specific bottles for a tasting, he charges a percentage of the bottle cost in addition to an hourly fee. Other times, he’ll set a flat fee that includes everything, which could start as low as $500.
• If it’s a charity event or fundraiser, Maitland doesn’t charge for his time or services, and sometimes uses his industry connections to get bottles donated.

What To Know About Hiring a Whiskey Concierge

As a potential client, you can make the most of a whiskey concierge’s services with a few best practices:

• Set your budget and be open about what you want to get for it. “Having specific things in your mind will help,” Maitland says.
• Know who you’re working with. Bowman recommends vetting anyone you’re thinking of hiring by asking for references. “There are some genuinely shady characters who have entered this space, unfortunately,” he says. “So be very careful about anyone you work with. Really try to get a trusted introduction to someone before you part with any money. Do as much due diligence as possible on anyone who's asking you to buy stuff. And when you are buying stuff, really check the provenance trail of anything, because there are a lot of fakes kicking around.”
• Keep your expectations realistic. “There are certain limitations to what I can do based on location,” Maitland says. “If I was in Utah, it might be cheaper to buy a bottle of Pappy than it is in New York.” He also points out that complications beyond his control, like supply chain-related delays or tariffs, can throw a wrench into expected outcomes.
• Give your concierge some wiggle room and be willing to compromise, especially if your budget or time frame is firm. Maitland describes looking for a particular single Sauternes cask 11-year-old Springbank, which went for £1,300 at auction—well outside his prescribed price range. But later, at another auction, he spotted two bottles of slightly older Springbank from a different Sauternes cask. Not the exact whiskey, but close. “I was able to get two of those for £400: okay, that's a fair trade,” he says. “It's functionally the same juice: a little bit older, still Springbank, still Sauternes casks, but I got twice as much for one-third of the price. That's a smart move.”