Hansons Auctioneers has enhanced its wealth of specialist sales with the appointment of Whisky and Spirits expert Stuart Palmer.
Stuart has joined the business as head of a new whisky department and will be focusing on the development and growth of regular sales, valuations, collection building and investment guidance. He brings with him many years of experience within the secondary whisky market and is widely known and respected for his knowledge of the subject, both in the UK and internationally.
Mr Palmer said: “Having bought items from Hansons in the past, I’ve always been impressed with the customer-first attitude of the team and, having now become closer to the business, I know this emanates from Charles Hanson. His enthusiasm is clear for all to see.
“His desire to provide his loyal customers with what they want and need is second to none and it is an ethos I wholeheartedly support. The opportunity to work alongside Charles on this exciting initiative to establish the foremost whisky auction service in the Midlands was one I couldn’t wait to start.
Mr Hanson said: “I’m delighted to have Stuart on board. Fine whisky is an important sector in the auction industry, sparking strong demand worldwide. It appeals to both connoisseurs of the drink itself and investors. Stuart is also knowledgeable when it comes to cognac and rum and is fascinated by the story of the enigmatic herbal spirit Chartreuse.”
Stuart said: “I have years of experience in valuing, buying, selling and collecting whisky. I have a passion for the bottles and bottlers, the labels, and the diverse expressions of different regions and distilleries.
“As well as contemporary releases I have a keen interest in older and rarer bottlings particularly between the 1940s and early 1990s. I have a vast knowledge of independent bottlers from the smallest private bottlings to others such as Samaroli, Gordon & MacPhail and Cadenhead, a personal favourite being their ‘Dumpy’ bottles from the 1970s and 80s.
“I am also interested in whiskies of the world from countries such as Ireland, Japan and the USA as well as, perhaps, lesser-known whisky-producing countries such as Taiwan and India.”
Stuart Palmer is based at Hansons’ Staffordshire saleroom, Bishton Hall, near Wolseley Bridge. To book a free valuation email [email protected].
