Most whisky shops sell you a bottle. The Whisky Exchange built its name selling you the bottle nobody else could find.
The Whisky Exchange is the world’s leading specialist online retailer for fine whiskies and spirits, with a catalogue of more than 9,000 bottles, three shops in central London, and a back catalogue of old, rare and discontinued whisky that few rivals can match. Founded in 1999 by brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh and owned by Pernod Ricard since 2021, it remains the first place serious collectors look when they want something hard to find. This review covers what they stock, who they’re for, and the shipping caveats worth knowing before you order.
Who is The Whisky Exchange, and why the rare stock matters
The Singh brothers grew up above their parents’ off-licence, The Nest, in Hanwell in west London, a shop that started in the drinks trade in the early 1970s and was named Off-Licence of the Year in 1992. Sukhinder, the elder brother, began collecting whisky miniatures in the 1980s and moved on to full-size bottles soon after.
When their parents retired in 1999, the brothers sold the family business and launched The Whisky Exchange as an online-only operation run out of the family home. The name was literal. It started as a portal where enthusiasts could buy, sell or swap bottles.
The real point of difference then is still the point of difference now: an unusually deep stock of old, rare and discontinued whisky, built from years of patient collecting and from private cellars, walk-ins and inherited bottles. That collector’s instinct is why the shop carries things you simply won’t see on a supermarket shelf.
The Pernod Ricard era: what changed in 2021
In 2021, French drinks group Pernod Ricard bought The Whisky Exchange. The deal included the website, the London shops, Whisky.Auction, Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Show.
Sukhinder Singh has since stepped back from day-to-day running and now leads Elixir Distillers, while continuing to hold what is reckoned to be the world’s largest collection of Port Ellen. We sat across from him at a recent tasting, and his eye for historic bottlings is exactly the instinct that shaped The Whisky Exchange in the first place.
For buyers, the practical takeaway is simple. The ownership changed, but the range, the rare-bottle focus and the events programme stayed in place.
What you can actually buy
The catalogue runs past 9,000 products and covers far more than Scotch. You’ll find more than 3,000 single malt Scotch whiskies alongside blends, bourbon and rye, Japanese whisky, and a full spirits range that takes in rum, gin, cognac, tequila, wine and Champagne.
Where the shop earns its reputation is at the top end: independent bottlings, single-cask releases, exclusive own-label expressions, and discontinued bottles that move into investment territory. If you’re chasing an older Macallan, a closed-distillery bottling or a limited cask finish, this is one of the few retailers likely to have it in stock.
The events arm matters too. The Whisky Show is one of the biggest whisky festivals in the UK, and the Old & Rare show caters specifically to collectors of historic bottles.
Shipping, shops and the Brexit caveat
The Whisky Exchange is based in Park Royal, London, and runs three shops you can visit in person, in Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and London Bridge. All three hold tastings and offer hands-on recommendations.
International shipping is where you need to read the small print. The retailer ships to many markets worldwide, including the United States, but Brexit complicated direct shipping into much of the European Union. If you’re ordering from the EU, including here in Denmark, confirm availability and cost for your country at checkout before you get attached to a bottle.
The Whisky Exchange — at a glance
Founded: 1999, by Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh Owner: Pernod Ricard (since 2021) Based: Park Royal, London Shops:Covent Garden (2 Bedford Street), Fitzrovia (90–92 Great Portland Street), London Bridge (88 Borough High Street)Range: 9,000+ whiskies and fine spirits, incl. 3,000+ single malt Scotch Specialty: Old, rare and discontinued bottles; IB and exclusive releases Shipping: International, incl. US; EU shipping restricted post-Brexit, check at checkout
Is it worth buying from?
For collectors and anyone hunting rare, old or discontinued bottles, The Whisky Exchange is hard to beat on depth, and the staff knowledge backs it up. For everyday buying it works perfectly well, though you’ll pay London retail prices and EU customers may find shipping more limited than from a mainland-Europe retailer.
The short version: if you want the unusual bottle, start here. If you want the cheapest everyday dram shipped to the EU, compare it against a European stockist first.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Whisky Exchange? The Whisky Exchange is a specialist online whisky and spirits retailer founded in London in 1999 by brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh. It stocks more than 9,000 bottles, runs three London shops, and is known for its deep range of old, rare and discontinued whisky. Pernod Ricard has owned it since 2021.
Is The Whisky Exchange a good place to buy whisky? Yes, particularly for rare and collectible bottles. It carries one of the widest ranges of any online retailer, with knowledgeable staff and a strong record on packaging and delivery. For everyday bottles it is reliable but priced at London retail, so it pays to compare on common releases.
Does The Whisky Exchange ship internationally? It ships to many countries worldwide, including the United States. European Union shipping was restricted after Brexit, so availability varies by country. EU customers should confirm whether their country is served, and check the cost, at checkout before ordering.
Who owns The Whisky Exchange? Pernod Ricard, the French drinks group, bought The Whisky Exchange in 2021. Founders Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh ran it as an independent family business from 1999 until the sale. Sukhinder Singh now leads Elixir Distillers and holds the world’s largest Port Ellen collection.
What does The Whisky Exchange specialise in? Old, rare and discontinued whisky is the core strength, alongside independent bottlings and exclusive own-label releases. The catalogue also covers single malt and blended Scotch, bourbon, Japanese whisky, rum, gin, cognac, wine and Champagne, with more than 9,000 products in total.
Where are The Whisky Exchange shops? There are three shops in central London: Covent Garden (2 Bedford Street), Fitzrovia (90–92 Great Portland Street) and London Bridge (88 Borough High Street). All three host tastings and offer in-person advice. The company is headquartered in Park Royal, west London.
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