
Based on checking the website, Spiritfilled.co.uk appears to be a platform focused on whisky cask investment, supply, storage, and independent bottling. While the site presents itself as professional and comprehensive within its niche, the very nature of its offerings – whisky investment and sales – falls under a category that is not permissible from an Islamic perspective. The consumption and trade of alcohol are prohibited in Islam, and engaging in investments related to such products, even indirectly, is considered haram. Therefore, from an ethical standpoint for a Muslim audience, this platform is not recommended.
Overall Review Summary:
- Website Focus: Whisky cask investment, supply, storage, and independent bottling.
- Product Type: Alcoholic beverages (whisky) and related financial instruments (cask investment).
- Islamic Permissibility: Not permissible (Haram) due to direct involvement with alcohol.
- Website Transparency: Seems transparent about its services, fees, and risks associated with unregulated investments.
- User Experience: Website is well-designed, easy to navigate, and provides detailed information.
- Trust Indicators: Mentions awards, secure warehousing, and expert guidance. However, these are irrelevant from an Islamic ethical perspective.
While Spiritfilled.co.uk presents a detailed business model for whisky enthusiasts and investors, it operates in a domain that is fundamentally incompatible with Islamic principles. The site clearly outlines services like sourcing rare whiskies, offering secure bonded storage for casks, and an independent bottling service under their “Mythical Beasts” label. They also highlight investment opportunities, though they do provide disclaimers about the unregulated nature of cask investments and the inherent risks involved. For anyone adhering to an Islamic ethical framework, the direct or indirect involvement in the alcohol industry, even for investment purposes, is to be avoided. It is crucial to seek out avenues for wealth growth and leisure that align with faith.
Here are some ethical and permissible alternatives for investment and leisure:
- Islamic Finance Products: Explore Sharia-compliant investment funds, Sukuk (Islamic bonds), and halal equities. These focus on ethical businesses and avoid interest-based transactions.
- Ethical Tech Investments: Look into companies that align with ethical standards, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and positive societal impact, without involvement in prohibited industries.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Invest in real estate portfolios through REITs, ensuring the underlying assets and their operations are permissible.
- Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Products: Consider investing in businesses that produce sustainable goods or offer eco-friendly services, promoting environmental stewardship.
- Rare Books & Manuscripts: For collectors, rare books and manuscripts can be a legitimate and intellectually enriching investment, often appreciating in value.
- Islamic Art & Calligraphy: Investing in authentic Islamic art, calligraphy, or historical artefacts offers cultural enrichment and potential appreciation, aligning with permissible aesthetics.
- Halal Food Industry Investments: Explore opportunities within the rapidly growing global halal food sector, from production to distribution, focusing on ethical sourcing and preparation.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
Spiritfilled.co.uk Review & First Look
Based on an initial review, Spiritfilled.co.uk positions itself as a specialist in the realm of whisky casks and bottles, catering to both investors and enthusiasts. The website’s immediate impression is one of professionalism and clarity, designed to guide visitors through its core offerings. However, for a Muslim audience, the fundamental nature of the product—alcoholic beverages—immediately flags it as an area to avoid, regardless of how well-presented the investment opportunity may be. The very essence of the business deals with a product forbidden in Islamic jurisprudence.
Initial Website Impressions and Design
The website features a clean, modern design with high-quality imagery of whisky casks and bottles, which conveys a sense of premium service. The navigation is intuitive, allowing users to easily access sections like ‘Casks’, ‘Bottles’, ‘Articles’, and ‘Contact’. This user-friendly interface aims to build confidence, which is a common strategy for platforms dealing with investments. The colour palette is sophisticated, mirroring the traditional aesthetics associated with fine spirits.
Core Offerings and Value Proposition
Spiritfilled.co.uk’s value proposition is built around three main pillars:
- Whisky Cask Supply: They claim to source a wide range of spirits, from rare single cask whiskies to new make for maturation. This suggests a comprehensive network within the whisky industry.
- Cask Management: Services include secure, bonded storage at their “Braeside Bond” warehouse in Scotland, promising careful management and full insurance. This provides a tangible service aspect beyond just sales.
- Independent Bottling: They release award-winning single cask whiskies under their “Mythical Beasts” label, bottled at cask strength with natural colour and no chill filtration. This adds a layer of artisanal credibility.
Regulatory Disclaimers and Risk Warnings
Crucially, Spiritfilled.co.uk includes prominent disclaimers such as “Fees and T&Cs apply. Cask investments can go down as well as up. Past performance and forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future results. Cask investments are unregulated in the UK. Capital at risk.” This transparency regarding risks is a necessary element for any investment platform, and its inclusion here is a positive sign from a general business ethics standpoint, even if the underlying product is impermissible. It signals an awareness of regulatory obligations and a commitment to informing potential investors about the inherent volatilities of their offerings.
Spiritfilled.co.uk Cons
While Spiritfilled.co.uk appears professionally structured and transparent within its operational domain, its fundamental offering, whisky, presents insurmountable ethical barriers for Muslims. The cons highlighted below are exclusively from an Islamic ethical perspective, making the platform entirely unsuitable for a Muslim audience, irrespective of its business merits.
Impermissibility of Product (Haram)
The primary and most significant drawback of Spiritfilled.co.uk for a Muslim is the direct involvement with alcohol. In Islam, the consumption, production, sale, or facilitation of alcohol is strictly forbidden (haram). This prohibition extends to financial dealings and investments tied to alcoholic beverages. Therefore, engaging with Spiritfilled.co.uk for any purpose—be it investment, purchase, or storage—would violate core Islamic principles. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cursed ten related to alcohol: the one who presses it, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who consumes its price, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. This comprehensive prohibition means that even indirect involvement, such as investing in casks without intending to consume, remains impermissible.
Promotion of a Prohibited Industry
By providing a platform for whisky cask investment and sales, Spiritfilled.co.uk actively promotes and facilitates an industry built around a forbidden product. For a Muslim, even passive support or legitimisation of such an industry through financial engagement is contrary to their faith. The platform, despite its professional facade, is essentially a conduit for an activity deemed sinful in Islam.
Risk of Misallocation of Resources
From an Islamic economic perspective, resources should be allocated to beneficial and permissible (halal) ventures that contribute positively to society. Investing in alcohol, a substance that leads to societal harms like addiction, health problems, and social disorder, represents a misallocation of wealth and resources. Muslims are encouraged to invest in ethical and productive sectors that align with their values, such as technology, sustainable development, halal food, and Islamic finance.
No Compliance with Islamic Ethical Standards
The entire business model of Spiritfilled.co.uk, while potentially compliant with secular financial regulations, inherently lacks compliance with Islamic ethical standards. There is no consideration for Sharia-compliant practices, such as avoiding interest (riba), uncertainty (gharar), or speculative activities within forbidden sectors. This makes it impossible for a Muslim to ethically engage with the platform.
Societal Harm and Moral Implications
Beyond individual prohibition, Islam emphasises the collective well-being of society. Alcohol is widely recognised for its detrimental effects on health, families, and communities. Supporting businesses involved in alcohol, even indirectly through investment, contributes to the perpetuation of these harms. For a Muslim, this has profound moral implications, as their actions should ideally benefit humanity and uphold moral virtues, not contribute to societal decay. Sealeys.co.uk Review
Spiritfilled.co.uk Alternatives
Given that Spiritfilled.co.uk deals with products and investments explicitly forbidden in Islam, it is crucial to seek out genuinely ethical and permissible alternatives. The focus here is on investments and products that align with Islamic principles of ethical conduct, social responsibility, and wealth generation through halal means. These alternatives offer legitimate and beneficial avenues for capital growth and personal enrichment without compromising faith.
Ethical Investment Platforms (Halal Investments)
Instead of whisky casks, consider platforms specialising in Sharia-compliant investments. These platforms screen investments to ensure they do not involve prohibited industries like alcohol, gambling, interest-based finance, or entertainment that promotes immorality.
- Wahed Invest: A global halal investment platform offering diversified portfolios managed according to Islamic principles. It provides various risk levels and is accessible to individuals seeking ethical investment opportunities.
- Al Rayan Bank: The oldest and largest Islamic bank in the UK, offering Sharia-compliant savings, current accounts, and financing solutions, ensuring all transactions are free from interest.
- Gatehouse Bank: Another UK-based Islamic bank providing a range of ethical financial products, including Sharia-compliant home finance and savings accounts.
Sustainable and Green Investments
Investing in businesses that focus on environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and ethical practices is highly encouraged in Islam, as stewardship of the Earth is a core principle.
- Triodos Bank: Known for its ethical banking and investment products, investing only in companies and projects that contribute positively to society and the environment. While not exclusively Islamic, many of its principles align.
- Green Bonds Funds: Invest in funds that specifically support environmental projects, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly infrastructure. Ensure the underlying companies are halal.
Ethical Consumer Products (Non-Edible)
For those interested in collecting or investing in valuable goods that are non-edible and ethically sound, consider these categories:
- Fine Art and Calligraphy: Investing in authentic Islamic art, historical artefacts, or modern calligraphy. This is a culturally rich and often appreciating asset, aligning with Islamic aesthetic values.
- Rare Books and Manuscripts: Collecting rare books, particularly those with historical, religious, or literary significance. This offers intellectual enrichment and can be a valuable investment.
- Sustainable Fashion Accessories: Investing in high-quality, ethically produced fashion accessories from brands committed to fair labour practices and environmental sustainability. For men, avoid silk and gold.
- Ethical Home Goods: Products for the home that are sourced ethically, made sustainably, and support artisans or fair trade initiatives. This could include handcrafted decor, natural textiles, or sustainable furniture.
Professional Development and Skills Acquisition
Instead of investing in a prohibited asset, consider investing in oneself through professional development or acquiring valuable skills. This is a form of investment that yields long-term personal and financial growth, aligning with Islamic teachings on seeking knowledge and betterment.
- Online Courses Platforms / Udemy: Invest in courses that teach new professional skills, coding, digital marketing, or business acumen.
- Executive Coaching & Mentorship: Investing in personal and professional growth through mentorship can provide significant returns in career advancement and business success.
How to Cancel Spiritfilled.co.uk Subscription
While the primary recommendation for Muslims is to avoid engaging with Spiritfilled.co.uk due to its impermissible product, understanding how to disengage from such a platform, if one were inadvertently involved, is practical. Spiritfilled.co.uk does not appear to operate on a typical “subscription” model in the way a streaming service or SaaS platform might. Instead, it offers services related to cask supply, management, and bottling, which likely involve one-off payments, contractual agreements for storage, or sales commissions. Therefore, “cancelling a subscription” would more accurately mean terminating a contractual agreement or disengaging from services previously entered into.
Reviewing Your Agreement and Terms & Conditions
The first and most crucial step is to meticulously review any agreements, contracts, or terms and conditions you have signed with Spiritfilled.co.uk. These documents will outline the exact nature of your arrangement, including:
- Contract Duration: Is it a fixed-term agreement for storage, or an open-ended service?
- Cancellation Clauses: What are the specific conditions for early termination? Are there penalties or notice periods required?
- Exit Strategies: For cask investments, the T&Cs should detail options for selling the cask, bottling, or transferring ownership.
- Fees and Charges: Understand any outstanding fees for storage, management, or processing the sale/transfer.
Contacting Spiritfilled.co.uk Directly
Once you understand your contractual obligations, the next step is to initiate contact with Spiritfilled.co.uk’s customer service or designated contact point for account management.
- Official Contact Channels: Look for email addresses (e.g., [email protected] or a general contact form), phone numbers, or a dedicated client portal mentioned on their ‘Contact’ page.
- Formal Written Notice: It is highly advisable to send a formal written notice (email or letter) clearly stating your intention to terminate services or sell your cask. This creates a paper trail.
- Provide Necessary Details: Include your client ID, cask reference numbers (if applicable), and clear instructions regarding your desired outcome (e.g., “I wish to sell my cask reference XXX” or “I wish to terminate storage agreement for cask YYY”).
Managing Cask Exit Strategies
If you have invested in a whisky cask, disengaging involves an “exit strategy,” not a simple cancellation. Spiritfilled.co.uk mentions “flexible exit strategies” on their homepage, implying they assist with this process. Stjustin.co.uk Review
- Selling Your Cask: This is the most common exit for investors. Spiritfilled.co.uk likely offers services to facilitate the sale to another collector or investor. Understand their commission rates and sales process.
- Bottling Your Cask: For some, bottling the whisky is an option. This involves significant costs for bottling, labelling, and duty. Given the impermissibility, this is not a suitable option for a Muslim.
- Transfer of Ownership: You might be able to transfer ownership of the cask to another individual or entity, particularly if they are not Muslim or are aware of the product’s nature. This would still require Spiritfilled.co.uk’s assistance in changing records and ensuring proper legal transfer.
Financial Implications
Be prepared for any financial implications associated with terminating your agreement or selling your cask. These might include:
- Storage Fees: Any outstanding fees for the duration your cask was stored.
- Sales Commissions: If Spiritfilled.co.uk facilitates the sale of your cask, they will likely charge a commission on the sale price.
- Transfer Fees: If ownership is transferred, there might be administrative fees.
Spiritfilled.co.uk Pricing
While Spiritfilled.co.uk does not display explicit pricing for casks or services directly on its main landing pages, which is typical for bespoke investment services, they do mention “Fees and T&Cs apply.” The pricing structure is likely complex, based on the type of whisky cask, its age, distillery, and the specific services opted for (supply, storage, bottling, or sale facilitation). For a Muslim, irrespective of the pricing, engaging with Spiritfilled.co.uk is not permissible due to the nature of the product. However, understanding the typical opaque pricing models in this sector can still be useful.
Cask Acquisition Costs
The cost of acquiring a whisky cask from Spiritfilled.co.uk would vary significantly. Factors influencing this price include:
- Distillery: Casks from renowned distilleries (e.g., Macallan, Ardbeg) command higher prices.
- Age and Maturation: Older whiskies are generally more expensive due to rarity and longer maturation periods. A “new make” cask will be considerably cheaper than a 10-year-old cask.
- Type of Cask: Different wood types (e.g., ex-Sherry, ex-Bourbon) and sizes (e.g., hogshead, butt) can affect flavour development and, consequently, price.
- Market Demand: Like any investment, demand for specific types of whisky can drive prices up or down.
Spiritfilled.co.uk likely operates on a margin for sourcing these casks, which is embedded in the quoted price to the client.
Storage and Management Fees
Spiritfilled.co.uk heavily promotes its “Braeside Bond” for secure storage and management. These services are almost certainly fee-based, typically charged annually.
- Annual Storage Fees: These usually depend on the size and number of casks. They cover the cost of warehousing, climate control, and insurance.
- Management Fees: May cover services like regular checks, sampling options (though sampling would be impermissible for a Muslim), and administrative oversight.
- Insurance Costs: While often included in the storage fee, the level of insurance coverage (e.g., against theft, fire, damage) will be factored into the overall cost.
These fees are standard in the whisky cask investment sector, as proper storage is crucial for the whisky’s maturation and value preservation.
Bottling and Exit Strategy Costs
If a client chooses to bottle their cask, or if Spiritfilled.co.uk assists in selling it, additional costs will apply.
- Bottling Costs: This is a substantial expense covering the actual bottling process, label design, duty and VAT (if entering the UK market), and transportation. These costs can easily run into thousands of pounds per cask.
- Sales Commissions: When Spiritfilled.co.uk facilitates the sale of a cask on behalf of a client, they will charge a commission. This is a percentage of the final sale price and varies based on the platform and specific agreement.
- Duty Representation Fees: For international clients, Spiritfilled.co.uk mentions “Duty Rep” services, which would incur fees for handling customs and excise duties.
Opaque Pricing Model
The absence of transparent pricing on the website is typical for a high-value, bespoke investment product. Clients are generally required to “Arrange a call” or “Get a free Guide” to discuss their specific needs and receive tailored quotes. This allows for negotiation and customisation but also means that comparing prices without direct engagement is challenging. For a Muslim, this simply reinforces the need to avoid the platform altogether, as engaging even to inquire about pricing would be a step towards dealing with a forbidden product.
Spiritfilled.co.uk vs. Ethical Alternatives
When comparing Spiritfilled.co.uk with ethical alternatives, the contrast isn’t about feature parity but fundamental permissibility. Spiritfilled.co.uk operates within the alcohol industry, which is explicitly prohibited in Islam, making any direct comparison to permissible investments irrelevant from a faith-based perspective. The focus, therefore, shifts to highlighting why Spiritfilled.co.uk is unsuitable and presenting viable, ethical alternatives that align with Islamic principles of wealth generation and responsible living.
Spiritfilled.co.uk’s Core Business (Impermissible)
- Product: Whisky casks and bottles (alcoholic beverages).
- Investment Model: Speculative investment in a prohibited commodity, where value is derived from the maturation and market demand of alcohol.
- Services: Sourcing, storage, management, and independent bottling of whisky. All these services directly facilitate the alcohol trade.
- Ethical Stance (Islamic): Completely impermissible (haram). Engagement violates fundamental Islamic economic and moral laws. The profit derived from such activities is considered unlawful.
Ethical Alternatives (Permissible and Recommended)
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Halal Investment Platforms:
- Focus: Diversified portfolios in Sharia-compliant equities, Sukuk (Islamic bonds), and ethical real estate.
- Screening: Investments are rigorously screened to exclude companies involved in alcohol, gambling, conventional finance (interest-based), pornography, and pork production.
- Return on Investment: Aims for competitive returns, often linked to real economic activity rather than speculative finance in forbidden sectors.
- Example: Wahed Invest, Al Rayan Bank.
- Why it’s better: Aligns fully with Islamic finance principles, providing a clear conscience and permissible wealth growth.
-
Sustainable & ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Funds:
- Focus: Investing in companies with strong environmental, social, and governance practices.
- Screening: While not exclusively Sharia-compliant, many ESG funds naturally avoid industries like alcohol due to social responsibility concerns. It’s crucial to verify their specific exclusions.
- Impact: Aims for financial returns alongside positive societal and environmental impact, which resonates with Islamic emphasis on stewardship (khalifa).
- Example: Funds managed by institutions like Triodos Bank, or specific green bond funds.
- Why it’s better: Promotes responsible investment and contributes to a better world, often overlapping with halal principles.
-
Real Estate & Property Investment (Direct or via REITs): Totallyawesometoys.co.uk Review
- Focus: Tangible asset investment in residential, commercial, or industrial properties.
- Model: Can involve direct ownership, rental income, or Sharia-compliant Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) where income is derived from permissible property activities.
- Risk/Return: Generally considered a stable, long-term investment, though market fluctuations can occur.
- Why it’s better: Based on tangible assets and rental income, which is permissible, avoiding speculative or interest-based dealings inherent in conventional finance.
-
Ethical Consumer Goods & Artisanal Products:
- Focus: Investing in or collecting high-value, non-edible goods that are ethically produced and have cultural or historical significance.
- Model: This isn’t a financial investment platform but an alternative for those interested in collecting unique items.
- Examples: Islamic calligraphy, rare books, ethically sourced textiles, or handcrafted decor.
- Why it’s better: Offers intellectual enrichment, cultural preservation, and potential appreciation, aligning with permissible hobbies and supporting ethical craftsmanship.
The fundamental difference lies in the ethical foundation. Spiritfilled.co.uk operates on a foundation that directly contradicts Islamic teachings, whereas the alternatives listed provide pathways for financial growth and engagement that are entirely compliant with faith. For a Muslim, the choice is clear: avoid the impermissible and seek the permissible.
FAQ
What is Spiritfilled.co.uk primarily offering?
Spiritfilled.co.uk primarily offers services related to whisky: including sourcing and supplying whisky casks, providing secure bonded storage and management for these casks, and independently bottling rare single cask whiskies under their “Mythical Beasts” label.
Is investing in whisky casks through Spiritfilled.co.uk permissible in Islam?
No, investing in whisky casks through Spiritfilled.co.uk is not permissible (haram) in Islam because it involves direct or indirect participation in the alcohol industry, which is strictly prohibited.
What are the main services provided by Spiritfilled.co.uk?
The main services provided are whisky cask supply for investment, secure cask storage and management at their Braeside Bond warehouse, and independent bottling of single cask whiskies.
Does Spiritfilled.co.uk offer financial advice?
The website indicates “expert guidance tailored to your experience level and investment goals” but it’s important to note that cask investments are unregulated in the UK, and they include disclaimers about investment risks.
Are there any disclaimers on Spiritfilled.co.uk regarding investment risks?
Yes, Spiritfilled.co.uk prominently displays disclaimers stating that “Cask investments can go down as well as up,” “Past performance and forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future results,” and “Cask investments are unregulated in the UK. Capital at risk.”
What is the “Braeside Bond” mentioned on Spiritfilled.co.uk?
Braeside Bond is Spiritfilled.co.uk’s modern, climate-controlled bonded warehouse located in Scotland, specifically designed for the secure storage and optimal maturation of whisky casks.
Can I buy individual whisky bottles from Spiritfilled.co.uk?
Yes, Spiritfilled.co.uk offers independently bottled single cask whiskies under their “Mythical Beasts” label, which can be purchased as individual bottles.
What kind of “Mythical Beasts” whiskies does Spiritfilled.co.uk bottle?
They bottle carefully selected, rare single casks at natural cask strength, with no added colouring or chill filtration, aiming to preserve the whisky’s full character. Metis.co.uk Review
Does Spiritfilled.co.uk help with selling a whisky cask?
Yes, Spiritfilled.co.uk states they offer “flexible exit strategies” and “personalised support when it’s time to bottle or sell your cask,” implying they assist clients with the sale process.
Are there any fees associated with Spiritfilled.co.uk’s services?
Yes, the website states “Fees and T&Cs apply,” indicating that there are costs associated with cask acquisition, storage, management, bottling, and sales facilitation.
How do I get pricing information for whisky casks from Spiritfilled.co.uk?
Pricing information is not displayed publicly; potential clients are encouraged to “Arrange a call” or “Get a free Guide” to discuss their needs and receive tailored quotes.
What are ethical alternatives to whisky cask investment for Muslims?
Ethical alternatives for Muslims include investing in Sharia-compliant funds (e.g., Wahed Invest), ethical real estate (e.g., Al Rayan Bank), sustainable and ESG funds, and high-value ethical consumer goods like Islamic art or rare books.
Does Spiritfilled.co.uk have a login area for clients?
Yes, the website has a “Login” option, suggesting a client portal for managing accounts and potentially viewing cask information.
What is “Duty Rep” service offered by Spiritfilled.co.uk?
“Duty Rep” refers to duty representation services, likely assisting international clients with navigating customs and excise duties related to whisky casks.
How can I contact Spiritfilled.co.uk for inquiries?
Spiritfilled.co.uk provides a “Contact” link on their website, which would typically lead to a contact form, email address, or phone number.
Is Spiritfilled.co.uk suitable for beginners in whisky investment?
Spiritfilled.co.uk claims to “guide you through every step — from selecting the right cask to deciding how and when to sell,” suggesting they cater to both new and experienced investors.
Are the whiskies bottled by Spiritfilled.co.uk award-winning?
Yes, Spiritfilled.co.uk states that their independent bottlings under the “Mythical Beasts” label are “Award winning single cask whiskies,” and they have a section dedicated to “OUR AWARDS.”
Can I sample my whisky cask while it’s stored with Spiritfilled.co.uk?
Spiritfilled.co.uk mentions “the option to sample your whisky” as part of their service for cask owners, though for a Muslim, consuming or sampling alcohol would be impermissible. Myhappymoments.co.uk Review
What is the process for selling a cask through Spiritfilled.co.uk?
While not explicitly detailed on the homepage, Spiritfilled.co.uk indicates they offer “practical advice and flexible exit strategies” and “personalised support,” suggesting a guided process for selling your cask to another collector.
Does Spiritfilled.co.uk offer international services for cask investment?
Given the mention of “Duty Rep representation for international clients” and global exports, it is likely that Spiritfilled.co.uk caters to international clients seeking whisky cask investments.
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