Tafilj Marković

MEET TAFILJ MARKOVIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT SCOTCH WHISKY INVESTMENTS; HE OWNS A HOME, BOAT, AND A FLOURISHING BUSINESS IN LUŠTICA BAY.

When I was thinking about the integration of Scotch Whisky Investments (SWI) in relation to Montenegro and how both could work in synergy, a clear vision came to light; we offer an exclusive product that should naturally be available in an exclusive destination. By developing Luštica Bay town, Orascom Group has changed the perception of the region in the eyes of investors on a global level, bringing them to Montenegro and promoting our country as an exclusive tourist and investment destination. Their working philosophy clearly coincides with our vision. Offering the quality of service and exclusive business exposure, further paired with the hedonistic culture and comprehension of life, makes Luštica Bay an ideal spot for work and life.

2. How would you define freedom and life as it should be?

Those people who have lost their freedom at some point can best describe what freedom means. We live in a time of globalization where most conversations revolve around democracy and human rights. We forget that the human race is born free and the irony is that we deny ourselves that freedom. We fear the environment, we fear being who we truly are, we fear making mistakes and failing, and we are preoccupied with other people’s opinions. My motto is: listen to your heart because it knows which way to go. Someone once said: he lives every day as if it were his last. 3. You work with investment opportunities; simply put, what makes investing in single malt whisky a promising endeavour? Who are the clients for this type of investment?

There are two key factors here: 1. limited production, rendering it exclusive and, 2. ultimate quality, which is set as a goal in the production of Scotch Single Malt whisky. Putting both factors together gives you a product that is also a status symbol. Whiskey is a product that can be easily stored for a long time, preserving its quality when kept sealed, making it a timeless, secure, and stable investment. When you compare investing in whisky with, for example, watches or wine, whisky is a product that was not very present and acknowledged by the investment scene ten years ago. Wine as an investment has been around for over 35 years. We developed the business in 2007 and pointed Scotch Single Malt whisky to the market as a viable investment opportunity, not just as a product to consume or collect. Investors’ reaction was excellent and that is why today, we have such positive growth indicators of the value of whisky as a commodity. The peculiarity of whisky is that the market is based on all meridians and the production capacities are quite scarce, resulting in a huge demand and a limited production. We focus on whisky older than 25 years, accounting for only 0.7% of the total whisky production. Also, when you drink one bottle of Single Malt over the age of 25, the other automatically increases in value. That is why in the last 10 years, the value of whisky increased by over 580%, compared to the other products we mentioned, which have a recorded growth between 100 and 200%.

1. You have a boat, a home and a job in Luštica Bay; what makes the destination a favourable place to live and work?

“Sipping on rare Scotch Single Malt whisky

is one of a kind experience: gratifying,

exciting and occasional.”

4. What is the biggest and most unexpected return on whisky investment to date ?

At SWI, we are very proud to have achieved results that have made a notable difference in alternative investments worldwide. One bottle owner from our vault made a profit that exceeded several hundred percent. When it comes to asset management contracts, our clients’ portfolio ranges from a growth of 8% and could reach anywhere between 15% and 16% annually.

5. What is your favourite single malt and how would you describe its taste?

Scotch single malt whisky is simply magical. The aromatic favours combined with its colour is impossible to find in any other drink. It is all about personal taste, but if we are talking about my personal favourite, it would be the Mortlach from 1954, or Glenlivet from 1952 that aged 65 years in a barrel; imagine that! I also enjoy less mature and more affordable whiskies, such as the Benromach of 41 years or Benromach of 15 years, which taste sublime and are of very good quality.

Sipping on rare Scotch Single Malt whisky is one of a kind experience: gratifying, exciting and occasional.

FLAVOURS

“Our menu is an innovative journey, telling flavorsome stories from Italy, Montenegro, and international kitchens”

~ Kiki Scolari