THE CASE FOR CASKS

It’s worth remembering that a cask is far more than just a receptacle for storing Whisky. It is during this time of maturation, that the Whisky takes 100% of its colour and much of its flavor from those wooden casks.

Naturally, it’s not just any old wood that is used - because you wouldn’t enjoy any old flavor. The wonderful characteristics and complex taste of an exquisite Whisky only come from the finest, most carefully chosen, seasoned oak casks. Most often, old oak bourbon casks, occasionally old sherry or port wine casks are used to; it all depends on what the desired characteristics are.

For instance, a bourbon cask would impart notes of vanilla and caramel.

This is a living process; the cask expands in summer months and contracts in the cold winter – allowing the Whisky to ‘breath’ the surrounding air and become more characterful. During this time a Whisky can lose a small percentage of its alcohol content – we Scots call it the Angel’s Share.

Finally, after many years, the whisky’s character has matured and satisfies the demanding nose of the Master Distiller. Time is then called on the maturation and the Whisky is bottled and is ready for us all to spend a while enjoying