In a recent reflection on practices stemming from wartime experiences, Mark Hordern of Balfron, Stirling, shared an anecdote about his late grandmother’s approach to preserving value through the storage of alcoholic beverages. Upon her passing, his family discovered she had accumulated 49 bottles of Scotch whisky and four bottles of champagne.

Hordern noted that his grandmother’s actions were influenced by lessons from the last war, during which such items were recognized as practical forms of currency or trade goods. While these drinks are generally less expensive and often preferred in taste compared to precious metals like Krugerrands, they also present the challenge of resisting consumption to maintain their intended utility.

This example underscores how personal experiences during wartime can shape approaches to asset preservation and trade, highlighting the historical role of consumable goods as alternative stores of value during periods of economic uncertainty.